BOGMAT
1300 730 700
Different methods of ground protection
If you require ground protection or vehicle access over difficult terrain but don't know what to use, then see below. We compare plastic ground protection mats with other options.
Why use ground protection?
There are two major reasons that ground protection may be required on the work site:
​
1. To provide safe access for pedestrians and vehicles.
​
When working on soft or unstable ground there may be a risk of pedestrians slipping and falling or of vehicle tyres becoming stuck, making it impossbile to drive. In these conditions, ground protection is necessary to cover the ground and allow the work to continue safely.
​
2. To avoid damaging the ground
​
On sensitive ground there is the obvious risk of vehicle tyres or treads tearing up the turf. Furthermore, on hard surfaces working vehicles may cause scratches. Mud and dirt can also fall from vehicle tyres, polluting the ground. In order to avoid this, various materials can be used so that the ground remains protected.
​
Ground protection materials such as metal plates and plywood boards have been used for a long time, however plastic ground protection mats are seeing increasing use on work sites nowadays. In this article we will compare and contrast these ground protection methods.
Plastic ground protection mats vs plywood
Plywood is made by bonding thin layers of wood together. It can be purchased from hardware stores and is often used for DIY projects.
​
The advantage of plywood boards is they are cheap and light, however they are easily broken and their quality will rapidly degrade when exposed to water. For this reason, they are not suitable for outdoor work sites.
​
Plastic ground protection mats are made from plastic resin and are usually moulded with a traction pattern to assist with gripping vehicle tyres.
Since they are made from dense plastic, ground mats have excellent water resistance and are UV stabilised for long term outdoor use. They are heavier than plywood boards (usually between 20 - 40kg depending on size and thickness) but easy to carry due to the handles cut into the sides.
Plastic ground protection mats vs rubber mats
Rubber mats are readily available from hardware stores, just like plywood, however they are generally
unsuitable for use as ground protection.
​
First of all, rubber mats are unstable and cannot carry any load on their own, so they must be placed on a hard surface such as concrete. They can also be torn easily by heavy vehicle tyres and treads.
​
Plastic ground mats, on the other hand, are specially designed for use with vehicles. They have the capacity to handle heavy loads and will not tear under vehicle tyres.
Plastic ground protection mats vs steel plates
Steel plates are large pieces of metal that can be used for ground protection. They are strong but extremely heavy at over 300kg per sheet, so a crane is required on site to deploy them. They can also be expensive.
​
The appeal of plastic ground protection mats is they are easy to carry and install. In comparison to steel plates, plastic mats are far lighter at around 20 to 40kg. They can be moved by hand with no need for a crane, and the handhold cutouts make them easy for one or two people to carry.
​
Plastic may not be as strong as steel, however plastic ground mats are still thick enough to handle heavy cranes and trucks. There are some plastic mats with a load capacity of 120 tons, so there is no problem providing access for even the heaviest construction vehicles. With plastic ground mats being cheaper than steel plates, this makes them extremely cost effective.
Plastic ground protection mats vs gravel
While technically not a type of mat, gravel is sometimes laid down at work sites and parking lots. Since gravel is made up of small individual pebbles, they are easily displaced when a vehicle drives over the top. It is a common sight at gravel carparks to see ruts filled with puddles if they are not maintained well. In order to prevent this, gravel requires regular levelling, which is time consuming work.
​
Plastic ground protection mats do not require any such maintenance. In fact, once ground mats have been placed down they can be left until they need to be moved, making them far more convenient.
Plastic ground protection mats vs concrete
Concrete is also not a type of mat, but is another method of ground protection. Concrete is strong and long-lasting, however the processes of paving and removing take a long time. For this reason, concrete is not suitable for use at work sites where the the ground protection will be removed after the work is completed.
​
For temporary access, plastic ground protection mats are recommended. They are quick to lay down and be removed, as well as being man-handlable and easy to transport.
The characteristics of these ground protection methods have been summarised in the table below.
