Slips, trips, and falls are part of life and sometimes there is no way to prevent them from happening. However, as an employer you have a duty to minimize all risks. That means assessing the potential hazards in the workplace and taking steps to ensure the risk is either minimized or negated.
One of the most obvious areas of concern is the floor. Floors get slippery from spills, people walking across them, and for a variety of other reasons. The best way to reduce the risk is to choose the best slip-resistant flooring for your workplace.
Introducing Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is a mixture of resin and hardener. Once mixed the compound is rolled not a concrete base and left to dry. It is important that the base is prepared properly and that time is taken to get the finish right.
Once the epoxy has cured the floor is non-slip, stain-resistant, waterproof, and incredibly tough. You can jump a tool on it and not damage it.
It’s worth noting that there is an array of epoxy floor coatings available. This means you can choose the colour of your floor and even the pattern.
It is generally considered to be the safest option for the workplace and often the most practical answer.
Carpet
Epoxy flooring is probably the most practical non-slip option in the workplace. However, if you are talking about an office or even a shop you may feel that a carpet is a better option. It is much harder to slip on a carpet than any other type of flooring. However, you should note that it is also much harder to keep the carpet clean. That’s why it is not a common choice in commercial settings.
If changing your floor isn’t an option you may want to make what you have less slippery:
Mats
If you already have a beautiful floor and don’t want to change it then you’ll need to consider using anti-slip mats. These fasten to your existing floor and provide great grip for shoes as they cross over the mat.
This approach is easy to install and the mats can be moved or washed. You can even choose colours to match the work scheme or add a logo to the mat. All you have to do is place the mats in the critical areas, that’s where people are most likely to slip or fall.
Non-Slip Coating
There are many different anti-slip floor coatings on the market. You’ll need to look for one that is suitable for the type of floor you have. This will ensure you choose the right product.
To apply the product it is advisable to clean the floor first and then apply the coating according to the instructions on the container. In most cases, this is easy and can be walked on almost immediately.
Adhesive Treads
It is also possible to use adhesive treads which literally stick to the existing floor. They are available in black or transparent and provide excellent grip. You just need to decide whether they need to be visible or not.