Disaster isn’t picky about where it strikes. Flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and other catastrophes can happen virtually anywhere. This means that response teams may need to deploy to areas without much infrastructure. Vehicles and heavy equipment often need to be dispatched to assist with rescue and cleanup efforts, but this can be difficult without roads or stable staging areas. However, there is a solution that allows crews to focus on the hard work of saving lives and restoring communities quickly and efficiently. By using access mats for disaster relief, responders can eliminate one significant obstacle to their success and fulfill their missions more effectively.

Why Use Timber Mats for Disaster Relief?

Made from durable hardwood timbers or composite materials, access mats are most often used in construction to create temporary roadways and platforms. They enable trucks and other large-scale machinery to access job sites more easily without an excessive impact to the ground. They can be connected to each other to cover a lot of territory and can be positioned by cranes.

When used as disaster relief access mats, the products made by YAK MAT offer many significant benefits for those who answer the call for help. They can be used to create temporary staging areas and foundations for shelters. Using timber mats during disaster relief enables crews to set up a helicopter landing pad, for example.

During missions such as hurricane relief, access mats can offer numerous applications. Because they are made from extremely strong materials, they can withstand any abuse they might absorb in an active crisis zone. The use of access mats for natural disaster relief also makes sense because they can be deployed and removed relatively quickly, enabling fast response times as well as a speedy return to normalcy.

Why Choose YAK MAT?

As the recognized industry leader for more than 40 years, no one has as much expertise as YAK MAT. We combine our extensive experience with an inventory of more than 1 million mats nationwide. We’re the only provider of such solutions that owns and operates manufacturing facilities across the country. This means our products are housed throughout North America and can be dispatched with exceptional speed to the site of a disaster or emergency.

We also provide customers with the most reliability, which is crucial when lives are on the line. We build our products to the highest standards of quality found anywhere. This ensures that response crews can depend on them for high-level performance no matter what the circumstances.

YAK MAT can provide the military and emergency responders with solid footing as they cope with serious recovery efforts. For more information about what we can do or to request a quote, get in touch with us today.

Between heavy equipment rumbling in and out of the job site, tools digging into the soil and the loss of ground cover, construction activity kicks up a lot of dust. While grime is an inevitable byproduct of construction, dust control should be a high priority for builders. Not only does the control of dust from construction and demolition activities benefit the general public and the environment, but it also helps contractors keep their machinery in good condition. There are many techniques companies can use for construction site dust suppression, including timber access mats and related products. When used as dust control mats, these can be extremely useful for limiting the amount of fine particulate matter in the air.

Why is Dust Control Necessary?

There are a number of reasons why investing in dust control on construction sites is necessary and beneficial. These include:

• Protecting public health — The amount of dust that ends up in the atmosphere around job sites can cause respiratory issues in some people. This is especially true for those who have medical conditions that make breathing difficult. In addition, these particulates may contain pollen or mold spores that can lead to severe allergic reactions and even infections in some cases.
• Keeping the environment clean — If left to drift, dust may settle into lakes, rivers and other water sources. In large enough quantities, this could lead to contamination capable of harming wildlife. Certain places also have laws that prohibit tracking dirt or debris out of project sites. Failing to use proper dust control methods in construction may put contractors at risk of fines.
• Maintaining equipment — Keeping dust under control helps prolong the life of heavy machinery by keeping it out of components. Over time, dust and grime can cause microscopic abrasions that can speed up deterioration and corrosion, affecting performance.

Using Mats for Dust Control

Already useful for enabling cranes, trucks and other equipment to access areas that lack roads, hardwood timber mats such as those made by YAK MAT also help protect air quality on site. When used to construct temporary roadways, the mats cover unpaved access points and prevent wheels or treads from coming in direct contact with the soil. This can keep them from churning up big clouds of dirt.

In addition, using our OUTRAK® mats prevents vehicles from carrying mud and debris onto roads. The unique design of these mats cleans tires and tracks before they leave the area. This means mud doesn’t have a chance to dry out on the street and contribute to the particulates in the atmosphere.

As the recognized leader in access products for the construction industry, we have a full line of mats ready to go wherever your project is located. For more information or to get started right away, get in touch with us for a quote.

Builders move a lot of earth on the job site, but not always intentionally. When the ground erodes as a result of construction activity, it can have a significant impact on the surrounding area. By impacting the land in a number of ways, crews make it more vulnerable to erosion from wind, water and movement. Grading and filling have the potential to significantly degrade soil quality, and sediment can wash down into nearby water sources. This can have a devastating impact on wildlife and vegetation, causing rampant environmental harm. This is why contractors have a responsibility to figure out how to prevent soil erosion during construction.

How Does Construction Affect Soil Erosion?

How does construction cause soil erosion? Look no further than the equipment crews bring to the site. Most activity involves large-scale machinery that digs and tears into the ground, even when it’s not intended to do so. This can strip away grass and other plants that hold dirt in place with their root systems. Changing the grade of a plot also makes areas more susceptible to losing sediment due to rainfall or wind gusts.

How Can Builders Prevent Soil Erosion?

Contractors have several options when it comes to soil erosion and prevention. Here are some of the most common and how they work:

• Articulated concrete blocks — These have joints that fit together. Because they can conform to the shape of the land, they are effective at holding soil in place and are typically used along waterways and drainage channels.
• Earth walls — Made of precast concrete and filled with granular soil, these can function well as a means to prevent soil erosion on slope
• Turbidity barriers — These utilize geotextile membranes that float on the surface of lakes, rivers or streams. They’re anchored to the bottom with weights, holding the earth back from the body of water.
• French drains — These underground pipes carry water away from project sites before it can carry away dirt from the area.
• Soil nails — These are driven into the sides of hills to prevent slope failure. They are typically capped with facings that resemble retaining walls.
• Riprap — In areas where there is a high degree of concentrated runoff, this technique can be very effective. Large stone aggregate is poured onto geotextile membranes to keep the ground from being carried away by water.
• Timber mats — When used as temporary roadways, hardwood access mats can be an effective way to control soil erosion because they protect sensitive wetlands and other ecologically fragile areas.

As a recognized leader in timber mats, YAK MAT has an extensive selection of products that can solve multiple building challenges. Our network of partners across the country enables us to have inventory close to you no matter where you’re working. For more information or to receive a quote, get in touch with us today.

It may look perfectly stable but performing construction work near slopes can be as delicate as building a house of cards. Hills and inclines may appear to be solidly in place, but the enormous pressure generated by heavy equipment and changes to grades caused by digging can disrupt their ability to hold together. When their stability degrades, inclines can become subject to landslides. Such failures put workers and the general public at risk. They also have the potential to cause costly delays and cleanup on the job site. This is why contractors need to understand the most common slope stabilization techniques and be ready to employ them. There are many different slope reinforcement methods, but the use of timber access mats as slope protection matting can be one of the most effective.

How Can Crews Improve Slope Stability?

There are many ways builders can prevent land from shifting in inclined areas. Depending on the circumstances, some of these may be more feasible than others. Some of the most commonly used slope stability methods include:

• Anchors and netting — Strong wire mesh or netting is anchored to the side of the hill with the use of metal rods connected to anchor plates. This slope stabilization method serves to hold soil and rocks in place, preventing gradual erosion that can be the precursor to catastrophic collapses.
• Retaining walls — Whether constructed of precast concrete, wooden slats or metal panels, retaining walls are frequently installed at the base of slopes to keep the soil in place. Heavy-duty steel piles are often used as a framework.
• Soil nails — In some applications, inserting long metal rods directly into the side of an incline can be very effective at preventing the ground from moving. These can be either helical piles that are screwed into the earth or straight rods that are driven into it.
• Timber mats — One of the biggest factors affecting the integrity of a slope is the amount of pressure being exerted on its surface. Heavy equipment used on construction sites exerts a great deal of force that can cause ground to become unstable. That’s why it’s important to keep wheels and treads from making direct contact with the surface. Hardwood timber access mats can be used to created temporary roadways that can shoulder most of the weight of trucks, cranes and other large machinery. When it comes to slope stabilization, matting can make a significant difference.

Why Choose YAK MAT?

As a longtime leader in the timber mat industry, no one knows more about timber access mats than YAK MAT. We have an extensive inventory of more than 1 million mats available throughout the country, so the solution to your site’s needs is always nearby and ready to be deployed quickly. For more information about what we can do for you or to request a quote, get in touch with us today.

Protecting ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands is one of a builder’s most important responsibilities. This is why so many developers choose heavy-duty ground mats for construction sites where the presence of large equipment would otherwise damage fragile ecosystems.

By creating temporary roadways with these products, crews can move cranes, bulldozers, trucks and other equipment around the job site without worrying about the enormous pressure exerted by their tires and treads.

Although ground mats can be extremely useful for accessing sites with wet areas, swamps and bogs, contractors need to use them properly to get the maximum benefit. Here are some tips to help ensure that the mats you use perform as designed.

• Create a plan — Before beginning work, take time to draw up a plan of how your mats will be installed on the site. You will want to consider the most efficient routes for machinery to get to and from the job site, so you don’t buy more mats than you need.
• Choose appropriate products — You have several options when it comes to access mats in terms of materials and construction. For example, you may not require as much protection if your heavy equipment has a relatively small footprint. In that case, outrigger mats may be the best solution. For areas where the soils are especially soft, lighter composite products may be the way to go.
• Ensure sufficient protection for the area — When setting up access mats, make sure they cross the entire wetland area to serve as a bridge between more stable areas. This will provide the most protection.
• Arrange access mats correctly — When placing temporary roadways, be sure to lay the mats with the ends of each timber running parallel to the direction of traffic. Doing so will enable them to better disperse the pressure and keep the ground beneath them safe.
• Use machinery to place mats —Using skid steers and track excavators to place access mats makes the installation process as easy as it can be. Typically, a timber mat will feature lifting bolts on either end to make the procedure easier.

When you choose YAK MAT for your access mat needs, you’ll benefit from our decades of experience. No one knows more about ground mats for construction and their uses than we do, so get in touch with us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Builders already have tremendous responsibilities to their clients and their crews. A successful project has to be cost-effective, efficient and safe for all involved. But they also have a responsibility to do their work with as much care for the environment as possible. This is especially true for projects that are built on or near sensitive wetland areas.

The impact of construction work can be harmful to these fragile ecosystems and, if damaged, they can take decades to heal. However, with the proper environmental protection plan in place, contractors can meet all their obligations without major disruptions to their operations. Here are some of the key factors to consider when creating such a plan for your next construction project.

• Habitats — The presence of personnel and heavy equipment can create severe problems for wildlife in the area. Working without care can destroy animals’ habitats, causing them to flee the area and break the food chain of the local ecosystem. This is why builders should be prepared to encounter nests and burrows and have a plan for relocating or avoiding them.
• Waste products — Most construction job sites generate their share of hazardous waste. If not disposed of properly, this waste can pollute the area’s soil and water. Containing and safely disposing of materials such as asbestos, lead and mercury should be a high priority for any contractor.
• Soil compaction — The pressure exerted by cranes, bulldozers and other large-scale machinery can impair the soil’s ability to support plant life, impacting the larger ecosystem. One of the best methods of mitigating this sort of damage is by using construction mats for heavy equipment. The timber mats are used to create temporary roadways and access points that allow machines to travel the site without directly impacting the ground. As a leader in access mats, YAK MAT can provide ideal solutions for building in fragile environments.

Protecting People

In addition to the attention given to a job site’s wildlife and vegetation, plans also need to consider the health of the people who work and live there. This includes removing hazardous waste as well as designating specific access points for equipment.

Being mindful of the ecological impact of construction is just one of the many responsibilities contractors must meet. Having a comprehensive plan is the key to success in any aspect of building and this is no different. Follow these steps to ensure your next job is done responsibly in every regard.

Construction is challenging enough without dealing with difficult terrain. Crews often have to tame the landscape before they can begin the hard work of building. In certain situations, they also need to leave a minimal impact on the land. In swampy terrain, builders must contend with wet ground that won’t support heavy equipment while also doing their best to protect these ecologically sensitive areas. Fortunately, hardwood wetland mats can offer a solution, provided you know how to utilize them.

How Timber Mats Work

Swamp mats made of durable hardwood timbers or lightweight composite materials allow contractors to create temporary roadways over excessively muddy areas. The slats of the mats easily lock together to provide support for cranes, loaders, trucks, forklifts and other large machinery, enabling them to traverse sites that ordinarily wouldn’t be accessible. Without them, the equipment could become stuck or sink into the marsh.

Protecting the Environment

One of the most perplexing elements of working in protected wetland areas is the ecological considerations project managers face. Heavy equipment exerts a lot of pressure on the ground, even where the soil is stable enough to move freely. Wheels and treads can tear up the land and cause damage to sensitive root systems under the surface. Driving through wetlands can cause harm to the ecosystem that may take decades to heal naturally. Mats protect the land because they prevent the full weight of vehicles from being applied to it.

How to Deploy Wetland Mats

Before deploying a temporary roadway, it’s essential to do some necessary prep work. Crews will need to:

1. Choose the most stable ground – Look for a clear path that forms as straight a line as possible. Tree stumps and boulders could cause slats to warp and bend, so remove any large ones before laying down the mat. It is recommended that the grade not exceed 4 percent, and the area should be free from cross-slope to ensure the best results.
2. Use geotextile materials – Placing geotextiles under the mats provides a number of benefits. They will help improve drainage around the roadway, as well as providing better traction.
3. Choose your mat – Timber products provide the most stability and capacity. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) mats are lighter, making them easier to install and remove. The mat you select for your project will depend on your requirements.
4. Install – Once they are laid on the ground, the mats can be connected easily using finger joints or cabled loops at the end of each panel.

With these solutions in place, transporting construction vehicles through wetlands and swamps becomes easier and more environmentally sound.