Oil Resistant Matting UK: Complete Specification Guide

When oils, chemicals, or industrial fluids are part of your daily operations, standard matting will not cut it. From automotive workshops dealing with engine oils and brake fluids to chemical plants handling solvents, the wrong flooring creates dangerous slip hazards and costly replacements.

This guide covers everything about oil resistant matting for UK facilities. You will learn which materials work, which standards matter, and how to match products to your needs.

Why Standard Matting Fails Around Oils and Chemicals

Natural rubber and basic PVC matting break down fast when exposed to oils, fuels, and industrial chemicals. Here is what happens:

• Surface breakdown: Materials become soft, sticky, or cracked
• Lost slip resistance: Worn surfaces lose their anti-slip grip
• Short lifespan: Mats need replacing far more often
• Contamination risks: Damaged materials harbour bacteria
• Compliance failures: Damaged matting may fail safety audits

The solution? Choose oil resistant matting made from the right materials.

Nitrile Rubber: The Best Choice for Oil Resistant Matting

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is a synthetic rubber that stands up to oils far better than natural rubber. Quality oil resistant matting made from nitrile resists:

• Petroleum-based oils and fuels
• Hydraulic fluids
• Animal and vegetable fats
• Greases and lubricants
• Many industrial solvents

How Nitrile Content Affects Your Matting

More nitrile means better oil resistance. Here is how the percentages work:

Nitrile Content	Oil Resistance	Flexibility	Best For
Low (18-22%)	Moderate	High	General use
Medium (28-34%)	Good	Balanced	Automotive, food
High (36-48%)	Excellent	Reduced	Heavy industrial

For most oil resistant matting needs, aim for 30-40% nitrile content. This gives the best balance of chemical resistance and practical use.

Temperature Ranges for Oil Resistant Matting

Nitrile matting works within these temperature ranges:

• Standard grades: -25°C to +85°C
• Premium grades: -30°C to +100°C
• Specialty compounds: Up to +120°C for short periods

If hot oils or steam cleaning are part of your routine, check that your oil resistant matting handles the heat.

Slip Resistance Ratings for Chemical Environments

In areas with oil and chemical exposure, slip resistance saves lives. The HSE reports that slips, trips, and falls cause about 30% of workplace injuries. Oily floors make this risk much worse.

For detailed guidance on UK requirements, see our guide to anti-slip matting regulations UK.

DIN 51130 R-Ratings Explained

The DIN 51130 standard rates floor slip resistance when walked on with safety boots:

R-Rating	Angle	Where to Use
R9	6-10°	Dry, light duty areas
R10	10-19°	Areas with some moisture
R11	19-27°	Wet areas, light oil
R12	27-35°	Heavy oil, food fats
R13	>35°	Extreme conditions

Our advice: For any area with regular oil or chemical spills, choose R11 rated oil resistant matting or higher.

UK Slip Testing Standards

The BS 7976 pendulum test is the UK standard for slip testing. A score of 36 or above means low slip risk. Ask suppliers for both R-ratings and pendulum test results.

Oil Resistant Matting by Industry

Automotive Workshops and Garages

Common spills: Engine oils, brake fluid, coolants, and fuel

What you need:

• Nitrile or nitrile-blend rubber compound
• R11 minimum slip rating
• 12mm+ thickness for standing comfort
• Heat resistance to at least +80°C

Best products: Oil resistant studded matting, nitrile tiles, anti-fatigue mats

Food and Beverage Processing

Common spills: Animal fats, cooking oils, acidic cleaners, water

What you need:

• Food-safe nitrile compounds
• Antimicrobial surface where possible
• R12+ rating for fatty areas
• Easy-clean, hygienic design

Note: Food processing oil resistant matting should meet HACCP standards and handle regular sanitising.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sites

Common spills: Solvents, acids, bases, cleaning chemicals

What you need:

• Chemical compatibility checked against your specific substances
• COSHH assessment support
• Low particle shedding for cleanrooms

Warning: Nitrile does not resist all chemicals. Strong oxidisers, ketones, and chlorinated solvents need specialist materials. Always check compatibility.

Engineering and Metalworking

Common spills: Cutting oils, coolants, hydraulic fluid, metal swarf

What you need:

• Puncture-resistant surface for metal debris
• Oil and coolant resistant compound
• Anti-fatigue properties for long shifts
• Spark resistance for welding areas

COSHH Compliance and Floor Safety

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations require employers to control exposure to harmful substances. While COSHH focuses on direct contact, floor safety matters too:

• Spilled chemicals on standard floors release vapours
• Damaged matting traps chemical residues
• Slips from spills cause secondary injuries

Oil resistant matting supports COSHH compliance by:

1. Containing spills where they happen
2. Enabling safe cleanup without floor damage
3. Keeping slip resistance even when contaminated
4. Making decontamination easier with inert surfaces

What to Ask Suppliers About Oil Resistant Matting

Before buying, request this information:

Material Details

• Exact polymer type and NBR percentage
• Chemical resistance chart
• Temperature range
• Hardness rating (Shore A)

Safety Certificates

• DIN 51130 R-rating certificate
• BS 7976 pendulum test score
• Fire classification (if required)
• Food contact approval (if needed)

Physical Specs

• Thickness and density
• Weight per square metre
• Expected service life
• Warranty terms

Practical Details

• Available sizes
• Edge ramp options
• Cleaning requirements
• Joining methods

Comparing Oil Resistant Matting Materials

Nitrile is not your only option. Here is how materials compare:

Material	Oil Resistance	Acid/Alkali	Temp Range	Cost
Nitrile (NBR)	Excellent	Good	-30°C to +100°C	Medium
EPDM	Poor	Excellent	-40°C to +150°C	Medium
Neoprene	Good	Good	-30°C to +90°C	Higher
Viton	Excellent	Excellent	-20°C to +200°C	Very High
PVC	Moderate	Good	-10°C to +60°C	Lower

For most UK sites with oils and general chemicals, nitrile oil resistant matting offers the best value.

Installing Oil Resistant Matting Right

Even great matting fails with poor installation:

Prepare the Floor

• Clean the substrate and remove all oil and grease
• Fix any cracks or uneven spots
• Make sure the floor is fully dry

Choose Your Fixing Method

• Loose lay: Easy to remove for cleaning, best for light traffic
• Adhesive: For permanent high-traffic installations
• Interlocking: Good for large areas needing floor access

Finish the Edges

• Fit bevelled edge ramps to prevent trips
• Seal edges to stop liquid getting underneath
• Add threshold strips at doorways

Maintaining Your Oil Resistant Matting

Proper care extends the life of oil resistant matting:

Daily: Sweep debris and mop up spills straight away

Weekly: Clean with a suitable detergent

Monthly: Check for wear, damage, or lifted edges

Yearly: Deep clean and check slip resistance

Never: Steam clean above rated temperature or ignore damaged areas

Cost and Value of Oil Resistant Matting

Quality oil resistant matting costs more upfront, but saves money over time:

Premium nitrile matting (£40-80 per m²)

• Lifespan: 5-10 years
• Low replacement rate
• Minimal slip risk

Budget standard rubber (£15-30 per m²)

• Lifespan: 1-2 years with oil exposure
• High replacement rate
• Higher slip risk after wear

When you add up replacement labour, downtime, and potential injury costs, premium oil resistant matting pays for itself within 2-3 years.

Maximum Matting Oil Resistant Solutions

At Maximum Matting, our Safe-Flex range includes oil resistant matting made in the UK from 100% recycled PVC. We serve different sectors:

• Automotive and engineering: Nitrile-blend options with R11 ratings
• Food processing: Antimicrobial designs meeting food safety standards
• Chemical handling: Full chemical compatibility data provided
• Custom needs: Bespoke sizing for challenging environments

Our team helps you match the right oil resistant matting to your specific chemicals and conditions.

Summary: Choosing the Right Oil Resistant Matting

Getting your oil resistant matting specification right means understanding your environment:

1. Know your chemicals: What oils or chemicals will contact the matting?
2. Check temperatures: What are your hot and cold extremes?
3. Assess slip risk: What R-rating does your site need?
4. Think about comfort: Do workers stand for long periods?
5. Plan maintenance: How will you clean and maintain the matting?
6. Check compliance: What regulations apply to your industry?

With the right specification, quality oil resistant matting protects your workers, meets compliance needs, and delivers years of reliable service.