They say nobody likes a stick-in-the-mud. And for sure, nobody likes being a stick-in-the-mud either; unfortunately, this is literally what can happen when you don’t have appropriate ground protection in place on uneven ground at construction sites or temporary event car parks. While it may be tempting to use makeshift equipment such as discarded timber, there’s no substitute for proper ground protection mats. They’re surprisingly affordable too (you need only hire them for the length of each project after all). In this article, we’ll take a look at why ground protection mats are simply the only option when it comes to operating on uneven ground.
Ground protection mats help reduce damage to the ground by improving its load-bearing capabilities
Whether it’s access for heavy machinery to a construction site or a temporary car park for an event, running vehicles over uneven fields is far from an ideal situation. The impact of vehicles can damage and disturb the topsoil formation, leading to not only messy aftermath that requires tidying, but even problems while the project or event is ongoing. Vehicles stuck in a muddy field are neither efficient nor a good look. However, by simply laying ground protection mats, you are not only protecting the soil from the impact of heavy vehicles but you’re also boosting its load-bearing capabilities. Of course, you are also providing a more solid, and even, surface over which vehicles can operate.
Ground protection mats are better for the environment
Aside from damaging surfaces and causing an unsightly mess, the movement of heavy machinery over unprotected ground can also result in untold damage to the ecosystems that live in or under the surface you are working on. Using ground protection mats on your worksite or event venue can greatly reduce the impact of this, thus making for a more environmentally friendly worksite, literally from the ground up.
Ground protection mats will protect your machinery too
Ground protection mats do more than protect the ground from your machinery, they work the other way around too. For one thing, they provide a smooth, even surface over which your machinery can operate, preventing damage to axles springs, etc. However, they also protect the machinery by reducing the amount of stone, soil, dirt, and other debris that may otherwise end up in its mechanism.
Cheap to buy or hire, saves money on repairing surfaces, etc
Even the smallest job can lead to damaged surfaces and ground by machinery or even people working on the site without adequate ground protection. This is not efficient in terms of both time and money spent repairing, nor does it leave a great impression on the client who owns the site. This can be avoided by hiring or purchasing good quality ground protection mats. Ground damage is not just something that affects construction or development sites, it can also be a problem at events, so event managers may want to consider hiring ground protection equipment too. It’s a far cheaper alternative to paying the venue owner for repairs to their property after your event.
Decrease risk of injury to employees or visitors
We all know that slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common accident types to occur on worksites. These can result in injured employees being unable to work, and indeed, legal cases should you have been found not to have adequate safety measures in place on your work site. For this reason, you must remove all trip hazards where practical. Uneven ground is a trip hazard in itself, and installing ground protection mats to smooth the surfaces over is a simple and cost-effective way to achieve this. For this reason, ground protection mats can also come into their own in projects involving footpath rebuilds.
Proper ground protection mats are a must
It may be tempting to simply use old pieces of timber to create paths over uneven ground on a worksite or event venue. However, this is just asking for trouble; timber easily breaks and it’s nowhere near as flexible when it comes to creating a smooth surface over a bumpy one. It’s unlikely to survive being driven over by heavy machinery, nor is it slip-resistant. Taking all this into account, not only does it give inadequate protection, it may well create a hazard in itself. ground protection mats are affordable and can be hired or purchased, so there’s no reason to resort to shoddy pieces of timber when you can have the proper alternative without breaking the bank.
At Power Plant Hire, we have a range of ground protection mats available for hire or purchase to suit your requirements. These are suitable for a wide range of uses, including construction sites, garden renovations, event car parks, and traffic works. You can find out more by calling us on 053 923 5003 or by emailing our team at sales@powerplant.ie
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