Do you want the good news or the bad news?
We may as well get the bad out of the way first and it’s this; according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over 580,000 workers suffered a non-fatal injury while at work last year.
Besides the individual cost, this costs employers over £500 million per year, from loss of production, higher insurance premiums and damage to equipment.
Of these accidents, slips and trips are still the most common.
Now for the good news; all these accidents are preventable.
In this month’s post, we’re sharing how you can avoid slips and trips altogether by taking a closer look at what’s under your feet – your floor.
Tip #1 Keep it clear
Our most obvious tip (although it’s still worth saying) is to remove obstructions so people can move freely, clearing any spills and using wet floor signage.
Tip #2 Watch your feet
You can avoid many slips by making sure workers wear the right kind of footwear.
Tip #3 Watch for wear and tear
Regularly inspect for wear and tear and make sure there aren’t any patchy areas of flooring that could become a hazard.
Tip #4 Get the right floors for the right jobs
Anti-slip resin flooring gives lots of options and it can be key to reducing slips in areas where the floor is most likely to become wet.
It’s the ideal flooring choice for areas like kitchens and toilets as well as factories where liquids are involved in the production process.
Tip #5 Is it really anti-slip?
It’s also vital to be absolutely sure your floor really is anti-slip.
Check out the HSE information sheet that sets out how you can test the slipperiness of your floors in both wet and dry conditions.
Tip #6 Test for resistance
At Milestone we use slip alert machines, which involves running a trolley down a ramp onto the flooring surface to measure resistance.
It’s a proven, highly accurate way to measure slip resistance and we find it’s a great training and information exercise for staff too.
Tip #7 Keep it clean, really clean!
When it comes to cleaning, we’re afraid to say that your floor needs more than just a quick wash with a mop.
If its profiles get clogged with dirt, it’ll soon become less anti-slip. We recommend using mechanical scrubbers and the right detergent.
Tip #8 Never ignore repairs, they’re cheaper than you think
Companies sometimes delay repairing or replacing worn flooring for cost reasons. But there are cost-effective options such as patch repairs.
If you already have anti-slip flooring, it can be re anti slipped rather than having to replace the whole floor.
In conclusion
Everyone gains from properly maintained floors – you, your employees and your finances as you avoid accidents and all the costs associated with them.
With over ten years’ experience installing floor systems for some of the big players in the food and drink industries, we’re happy to guide you further on:
- Anti-slip flooring testing
- What flooring would be perfect for you – looking at what kind of anti-slip flooring you need for your specific areas
- Maintenance and repair packages so you’re covered now, and in the future
We’d also be happy to share our top cleaning tips and any other help you feel you need to stay safe.
So, if you have any questions, just get in touch. We’re always happy to help.