You Can Improve Slip Resistance Of A Floor

Preventing accidents in the workplace is far more effective than reacting to accidents in the workplace and there are many things a company can do to reduce the number of injuries which occur at work. Given that a large number of work based accidents are caused by slips and trips, it makes sense to focus on the flooring at work. There are many tests which can be carried out in the work place but evaluating the slip resistance of any surface and then seeking to improve the integrity of the flooring is an important step for any firm.

One of the first steps firms should take to improving the slip resistance of a floor is to check the cleaning equipment. If the cleaning equipment is old or defective, it may be that it is causing damage or possibly leaking content onto the floor which reduces the integrity of the floor. It has also been known for certain chemicals in cleaning products to react with lining or coating placed on the floor. If chemicals react to make the floor unstable or slippery, there is an immediate need to change the cleaning practices. This is not an uncommon cause of slips and trips in the workplace and should be one of the first elements examined when trying to improve floor conditions.

Another aspect that can help to reduce the number of slips and trips in the workplace is an alert workforce. If any employee sees an area of flooring that is wet or has become unstable, they should notify a superior or take action themselves. Improving the slip resistance of a floor often takes nothing more than mopping up a spillage so employees need to know they can help to make the workplace a safer place for everyone.

The type of footwear that is used in the workplace can also have an impact on the overall slip resistance of the premises. Many companies, especially those where grease or chemicals are in use, will provide their employees with specialist footwear. This footwear should only be worn in designated areas of the premises to prevent any crossover of liquid or slippery material from one part of the property to another. However, if the type of footwear does not have sufficient grip for working on a particular surface or with a particular chemical, accidents may be more likely to happen. This is why it is crucial for companies to consider the surroundings and the working materials on their premises.

As you will find, it doesn’t take a lot of work to improve the slip resistance around the office or the workplace. Like most work based accidents, slips and trips can be avoided if people take more time and paid attention to their surroundings. However, there is a definite need to ensure that floors, pathways and corridors are safe for employees and guests. Any firm which values health and safety, which should be every firm, should undertake regular testing of their flooring to help reduce the number of potential accidents and injuries people suffer. In the long run, this outlay will result in great savings for any company. In the winter, general slips are more of a risk than usual due to wet footwear leading to slippery floors in numerous businesses.