Editing Mat (section)

==Promoting safety and health==
Quality floor mats improve [[indoor air quality]] (IAQ) and safety in [[Commerce|commercial]] and [[residential]] applications.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} Studies have shown that most toxic chemicals that end up inside a home are tracked in on people's shoes.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} A well-used door mat can trap and hold dirt and [[allergens]], preventing their spread into the rest of the building, significantly improving IAQ and reducing the need for extensive [[Floor cleaning|cleaning]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Case Study: Improving IAQ and Facility Cleanliness|date=25 January 2012 |url=http://www.eaglemat.com/blog/case-study-improving-iaq-and-facility-cleanliness-with-recessed-grill-mats/|publisher=Eagle Mat and Floor Products|access-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> Additionally many floor mats are resistant to welding sparks and can keep employees from slipping on industrial lubricants or water.

Floor mats also provide safe surfaces on which to walk, preventing slips and falls that cause injury and liability damages. Anti-slip mats are now required in many areas to ensure maximum protection for both employees and customers. Specialized anti-slip mats are now available that provide extra resistance to the chemicals and grease that are sometimes found in industrial and food service settings.

Custom made anti-fatigue mats are also used in work areas where employees are required to stand for long periods of time. Employers have found that much muscle strain and injury endured by workers is caused by improper flooring conditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores|url=https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/retailgrocery/retailgrocery.html|publisher=OSHA}}</ref> Non-supportive surfaces cause fatigue and foot, back and neck pain due to impaired circulation. Anti-fatigue mats were shown to improve worker productivity by reducing the number of sick-days and injuries sustained by workers whose mobility would otherwise be restricted.