Prepare for Autumn & Winter with Footfall Entrance Mats - A Safety Must

October 22, 2025

As autumn deepens and winter approaches, the shorter evenings are upon us, businesses across Ireland must contend with the twin challenges of moisture and debris entering their premises. Entrance mats are a simple yet powerful tool to keep areas clean, safe and welcoming. At Footfall Ltd, we believe effective matting is not just aesthetic it is a critical component of workplace safety.

Why Entrance Mats Are More Critical in Autumn & Winter

Wet leaves, rain, and even frost all combine to increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls particularly at entrances. Ensuring you have the right matting in place can dramatically lower that risk.

HSA Facts That Underline the Importance of Good Matting

To put things in perspective, here are some key insights and statistics from the Health and Safety Authority:

Every working day, more than three people are hurt in work-related slips in Ireland (excluding trips and falls). - Health and Safety Authority
Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are one of the most common causes of workplace injury, often leading to prolonged absences. Health and Safety Authority
In many slip,trips and fall cases, 23% of those who slip are off work for over one month. Health and Safety Authority
Slips account for about half of all STF incidents. Health and Safety Authority
These incidents often originate in high-risk zones such as entrances, exits, walkways, stairs and transitions in floor type. Health and Safety Authority
Retailers are particularly vulnerable: nearly 50% of claims against retailers relate to slips, trips, and falls. Health and Safety Authority

These data points make clear that entrance areas are a critical frontline in slips, trips and falls prevention and that good matting is one of the most effective control measures.

How Entrance Mats Support Compliance & Safety

Entrance mats help to:

Trap water, grit, and debris before it reaches interior floors, reducing slip risk
Minimise cleaning and maintenance costs by capturing soil and moisture at the door
Support legal compliance: The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and associated regulations require employers to ensure pedestrian surfaces are safe, stable, and not slippery. Health and Safety Authority
Demonstrate due diligence in risk management, which is key in health & safety inspections or audits

Choosing the Right Entrance Mat for Autumn & Winter

Footfall Ltd offers a variety of solutions tailored to weather conditions and business environments. Some of our recommendations are:

Fixed entrance modular matting systems - ensuring that your building is protected from dirt and moisture
Dust Mats - Up to 80% of interior soil is brought into facilities from foot traffic. The utilisation of matting ensures that the majority of dirt will be stopped at the entrance. This reduces floor care maintenance significantly.

When selecting mats, consider foot traffic volume, the exposure to weather.

Act Before the Weather Turns

With unpredictable weather looming, now is the time to evaluate your entryways. Proper matting helps you stay ahead of safety risks, maintain a professional appearance, and reduce maintenance burdens in the busy winter months.

At Footfall Ltd, our experts can assess your entrance layout, traffic flow, and weather exposure with a free site survey to recommend the optimal matting solution. Let us help you keep your premises safe, clean, and durable through this upcoming season.

Call: 01 803 5000

Email: sales@footfall.ie

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