Creating and Maintaining Slip-Free Floors

by Lawton Brothers | Jul 26, 2022

Mat Entrance w:matting

Creating and Maintaining Slip-Free Floors 

Slips, trips, and falls caused over 240,000 injuries requiring time away from work in 2018. This accounted for 27% of nonfatal occupational injuries and cost an average of $20,000 per incident, according to EHS Today. Slip-resistant flooring can help prevent hazardous conditions that lead to these slips and falls. As a business owner, one of the most important ways to keep guests and employees safe is by investing in slip-free floors. 

Slip-free floors can be achieved through texture, anti-slip coatings, and mats. Textured floors will provide traction so that shoes (especially slip-resistant ones) can grip the floor more easily. This flooring is slip-resistant thanks to aggregate – the grit in the floor that creates friction and traction. Aggregates (think small pieces of glass or plastic, quartz, sand, carbides, epoxy) typically have hard, rough edges that cause the surface of the floor to be rough or slightly jagged. 

The success of slip-resistant flooring is measured by the coefficient of friction (COF). The coefficient of friction is the resistance of movement between two objects – the higher the COF, the safer and more slip-resistant the floor is. Typically, people can walk comfortably on surfaces with a COF greater than 0.4, but a rating of 0.5 or better is considered a slip-resistant surface. Of course, flooring can oftentimes have varying degrees of friction under varying conditions or over time. One of the easiest ways to maintain a floor’s slip resistance is by cleaning on a daily basis and applying a floor sealant or anti-slip coating. 

Additionally, the use of carpets and mats in high-traffic areas or spaces that are prone to slippery conditions can greatly reduce the risk of injury. To ensure that mats and carpets are working effectively, the surface should be always adequately clean, and the underside should have a slip-resistant surface. If a carpet or mat seems loose in any way, it should be replaced. 

Give us a Call

As always, Lawton Brothers is here to offer a variety of products, services, and advice for your slip-free flooring. With over 75 years of experience in the janitorial industry, we’ve got the expertise you need. Give us a call with your questions and see how you can get a free cleaning audit today at: 800.432.0813.

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