Risk factors of wet flooring
Worksafe Queensland outlines some of the factors to look out for in relation to flooring:
- smooth hard surfaces increase the risk of slips
- contaminants (like oil, cleaning fluids or food substances) left on the floor further increases risk
- incorrect cleaning can make floors more slippery
- trips can occur when floor heights change (even 1cm can have an impact)
- Slips and falls can also occur when flooring material changes between areas
- a floor that is slip resistant when dry may not be slip resistant when wet
- floor roughness is more effective than slip resistant footwear in reducing slips.
Slip resistance in safety flooring for wet areas
Australian Standards outline a number of certified methods to assess surfaces for slip resistance, and there are also other testing methods that can be used such as roughness testers or sled tests. These tests indicate the relative slipperiness of surfaces under different conditions. The safety of flooring relies on a mix of factors including:
- the type of surface
- contaminants
- work tasks or activities
- cleaning method
- who is accessing the area and what footwear,
- environmental conditions.
A risk management approach will see different control measures introduced to manage the level of risk. In terms of flooring, selecting the most appropriate flooring and keeping it well maintained will significantly reduce risk.
Read more about the benefits of non-slip flooring.
The safety flooring experts
As experts in safety flooring, Panther Protective Coatings is happy to discuss with your the risk factors in your workplace or building and advise on suitable flooring types to manage the risks of slips and falls. Don’t hestitate to contact us to discuss how to reduce risk in wet areas of your premises.
