Slip Resistant Flooring

An important element of workplace safety is slip resistant flooring. Every year, over 100,000 worker days are lost due to injuries related to slips and falls. Loading docks, hospitals, hotels, health clubs, factories, and other places where there is high foot traffic are prime candidates for the installation of slip resistant flooring.

Having slip resistant flooring does not necessarily mean installing floors that are specifically designed for slip resistance. Such flooring exists, and is beneficial if it can be incorporated into the design of your workplace. However, the additional expense of replacing flooring may not be practical or feasible for many businesses, so many products have been developed that will create slip resistant flooring from your existing surface.

Creating Slip Resistant Flooring from Your Existing Floors

The most convenient solution is to use cleaners that enhance the slip resistance of your floor. Products exist that will simultaneously clean your flooring and add up to 0.1 units to your floor's coefficient of friction, which is a marked improvement in safety. Many of these products are designed to work on virtually any type of flooring or finish.

If your floor is composed of concrete or another unsealed mineral surface, you can create an invisible tread by applying a non-slip treatment that creates a reverse tread for more traction. For wood floors and others where enhancing the appearance is an important consideration, look for clear products that will seal, protect, and provide slip resistance. If your setting is more industrial, consider epoxy or other coatings that can dramatically improve traction by adding textured surfaces to the floor.