Slips and Falls Are a Jobsite Risk You Can Prevent
Every jobsite has hazards, but slips and falls are among the most preventable—and most expensive. Wet grass, muddy work zones, and uneven staging areas can turn routine movement into a serious accident in seconds. For contractors, one fall doesn’t just hurt productivity—it can lead to medical costs, liability claims, delays, and long-term insurance headaches.
That risk becomes even worse when crews rely on plywood for ground protection. Plywood may look like a quick solution, but when it gets wet, it becomes slick, unstable, and dangerous. Today’s pros choose ground protection that improves both stability and traction, especially in unpredictable weather.
That’s where BAM! Ground Protection Mats provide a major safety advantage.
Why Wet Plywood Creates Slip and Trip Hazards
Plywood Becomes Slick in Rain and Mud
Plywood absorbs moisture quickly, creating a smooth, slippery surface—especially when combined with rain, mud, sawdust, or dust. The result is poor traction for boots, equipment tires, and worksite foot traffic.
Boards Crack and Shift Under Load
Once plywood cracks, sheets become uneven. Corners lift, edges break, and boards shift as equipment rolls over them. That creates trip hazards for anyone walking across staging areas or access paths.
Splinters Increase Injury Risk
Plywood often splinters when it breaks or gets dragged across the site. Splinters can injure hands during setup, snag gloves, and create sharp edges that cut boots or skin.
Unsafe Walkways Create Liability
Even when crews are careful, unstable walking surfaces increase the chance of falls. And if a client, inspector, or subcontractor slips, liability becomes a serious concern.
Plywood doesn’t just fail at protection—it creates risk.
Why BAM! Mats Improve Jobsite Safety
Anti-Slip Traction Designed for Real Worksites
BAM! mats feature dual-sided tread patterns designed to deliver grip for both equipment and foot traffic. This matters in muddy areas, wet turf, and high-traffic work zones where stability is critical.
Instead of relying on smooth plywood sheets, crews get a purposeful surface designed to reduce slipping and provide confident footing.
Stability Under Equipment and Workers
BAM! mats are made from 3/8-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) built for durability and rigidity. With an 80-ton load rating, they remain stable even under heavy machinery. Less shifting means fewer trip points and fewer surprise movements underfoot.
Safe Handling with Built-In Grip Points
A major safety risk happens before mats even hit the ground—during setup. BAM! 4×8 mats weigh 56 lbs and include large hand-holds, giving workers a secure way to lift and place mats without awkward gripping or strain.
Plywood has no handholds and becomes heavier when wet, increasing injury risk during handling.
Visibility That Helps Prevent Accidents
The Hi-Vis Safety Green color option makes mats easy to see on busy worksites. That means fewer “missed steps,” clearer access lanes, and better organization around heavy equipment zones.
A visible, organized worksite is a safer worksite.
Where Traction Matters Most
Access Paths on Wet Turf
Crews walking across soft ground need stability—especially when carrying tools or materials.
Equipment Staging Areas
Mats provide a safer zone for movement around machinery, dumpsters, and lift operations.
Loading and Unloading Zones
Anti-slip footing matters most where crews move quickly and weight shifts constantly.
Event and Public Spaces
If guests or staff are walking over protected surfaces, traction and visibility become essential to reduce liability.
Reducing Insurance Risk and Liability
Safety incidents can become expensive long after the job is completed. A single slip-and-fall can lead to:
- Medical bills and lost-time injury costs
- Workers’ comp claims
- Job delays and productivity loss
- Insurance premium increases
- Liability exposure on client properties
Using high-traction, stable ground protection demonstrates professionalism and reduces avoidable risk. BAM! mats are not just a performance upgrade—they’re a safety investment.
Safety Isn’t Extra—It’s the Standard
When crews are safe, work moves faster. When worksites are stable, accidents drop. And when clients see clean, professional mats instead of cracked plywood, confidence rises.
Explore BAM!’s traction-ready options on our Products page or reach out through our Contact page for help choosing the right mats for your jobsites.
Improve safety, reduce risk, and build professional worksites—because Pro’s choose BAM!
