Safety Mat
A safety mat is a pressure-sensitive safeguarding device installed on industrial floors to detect the presence of a person in a hazardous area and initiate a safety response, typically stopping or inhibiting hazardous machine motion. It is part of a machine safeguard under WorkSafeBC's framework, which defines a safeguard as a guard, safety device, shield, awareness barrier, warning sign, or other effective protective means.
On a manufacturing or shop floor, a safety mat is typically installed around robots, presses, conveyors, or other hazardous moving equipment to create a monitored safe zone. When someone steps on the mat, the safety circuit changes state and the machine is brought to a stop or prevented from starting. Industrial safety-mat systems are commonly wired into a safety input module or safety controller, and in many applications they are used for perimeter or area guarding rather than as the only means of protection. The safety function is typically stop category 0 or equivalent hazardous motion interruption, with restart only after a separate deliberate action. WorkSafeBC does not define 'safety mat' by name but requires effective safeguarding, with guidelines pointing to CSA Z432 as the accepted machinery safeguarding standard.
Is a safety mat a guard?
Not usually a physical guard; it is a safety device used as part of a safeguarding system. WorkSafeBC's definition of 'safeguard' explicitly includes safety devices among other protective means.
What hazard type is a safety mat best for?
It is best for presence detection in floor-level access zones around dangerous motion, especially where operators may need to enter a protected area for loading, unloading, or setup.
What standards govern its use?
The cited sources reference ISO 13849-1, IEC 62061, IEC 60204-1, and ISO 12100 for certified safety mats, while WorkSafeBC guidance points to CSA Z432 for safeguarding design and application.