Chevy Chase is one of my favorite comedians. Over the years he has come to be known for his physical comedy, namely his slips, trips, and falls. While in this context the image of someone slipping, sliding across the floor, and tumbling may be comical, in reality slippery floors cause hundreds of millions of dollars in medical and legal expenses every year, not to mention pain, suffering and even death. Slippery floors, particularly in the workplace, are no laughing matter.

Causes of Slippery Floors

Slippery floors, whether at home or at the workplace, arise from many different causes. Primary among these is the presence of water or other liquids. Places such as public restrooms, swimming pools, or gym showers are locations where water is a constant issue. Buildups of soils and oily materials, and deterioration of surfaces, can create slippery conditions as well. Imagine an automobile repair shop where oil spills are not uncommon. Floors that are not appropriate for their setting, or that are not properly finished or sealed, can also become slip hazards.

Many floors are designed to have a highly glossy finish. Picture the beauty of an old marble flooring in a courthouse, or a beautifully finished hardwood floor. You might think that high gloss equals a highly slippery floor, but many floor cleaning and coating solutions exist that will not only enhance the look of your floor, but will improve its slip resistance as well.

Combating slippery floors requires a combination of good design, awareness, good housekeeping, and proper maintenance. Choosing cleaning products that not only remove soils but improve slip resistance is one element of good maintenance. Enhancing your floors with slip resistant finishes or coatings can also be beneficial. Regardless of the method you choose, taking a little time to address your slippery floors is critical, not comical.