Access mats are standard in many construction and roadway projects. However, not everyone knows what they are or why they're necessary. Also known as plastic ground protection mats and heavy equipment mats, access mats are essential for hauling heavy machinery and vehicles on soft terrain. Learn more about these items by reviewing the guide below. 

What Are Access Mats & Why Are They Necessary?

An access mat is a portable plastic surface durable enough to hold heavy equipment. Laying several mats in a row enables construction workers and landscapers to drive or haul heavy-duty vehicles over terrain that would be inaccessible without some form of intervention. For instance, construction workers may use access mats as a temporary road at a muddy worksite.

These structures keep worksites clean and safe for traveling. It prevents vehicles and machinery from getting dirty from the terrain while providing a sturdy enough surface to move across safely. Since the plastic is portable, you can remove the mats section by section, rinse them off, and store them until they're needed again. 

What Are the Benefits of Plastic Ground Protection Mats?

Construction workers rely on access mats to transport their equipment to many worksites. Areas with of sand, saturated soil, mud, and special surfaces like running tracks typically can't accommodate heavy-duty vehicles. However, travel across these surfaces is possible with strategically placed access mats. 

Using ground protection mats helps workers avoid wasting time finding different accessible routes to an inaccessible worksite. Instead of going around an obstacle, workers can travel over them. It's even possible to use them as landscape protection to shield manicured lawns from landscaping or construction traffic. 

Access mats also make work easier for construction workers, roadway employees, and landscapers. Without them, they risk getting their equipment stuck when traveling on soft materials. The mats will save money on recovery costs and enable workers to perform their tasks more quickly. 

If you need high-quality plastic ground protection mats for your construction project, turn to Sandhill Plastics. Based in Kearney, NE, this HDPE plastics company has provided a wide range of HDPE plastics customers since 1992. The company uses advanced technology and equipment like CNC machining and 100% recycled materials to create custom HDPE sheets, rolls, mats, and slat shields. Call (308) 236-5025 or visit them online to learn more about their services and products.