Canadian Occupational Safety

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 37 that come in rolls and are cut to mea- sure have raised edges that may cause trips. They can also become dog-eared, and the curled corners can cause a worker to trip. Anti-slip mats and tiles are often constructed to raise the worker up off the wet, slippery floor and, at the same time, allow spilled fluids to drain down through holes or deep ridges while the grit surface stays dry. FLOOR AND STEP COVERINGS Non-slip surfaces can be created on flat walkways through the use of cov- erings. These can be customized to fit different area lengths and widths and are attached to the substrate by mechanical fasteners or adhesives. The gritted surface ranges from very coarse (for extreme environmen- tal and traffic conditions, such as off-shore oil rigs) through fine (for commercial spaces) to very fine (for more protected indoor conditions, such as shower areas). Floor coverings are mostly com- monly used in the oil and gas, transportation and food processing industries, as well as in chemical and oil refining facilities, Schuetz says. Colour can be used to increase the non-slip effectiveness of a covering or mat, he adds. On steps, for example, it is a good idea to use two contrasting colours to increase workers' ability to distinguish stair edges. In manufac- turing facilities, colour helps identify the safe path walkways designated for office staff and visitors. The main colour of the covering may be green while the edges are bright yellow. Using colour also helps reduce inci- dents that happen when people move from a regular floor area onto anti- slip flooring, Schuetz says. "All of a sudden, they may catch their foot or they may stick and their momentum pulls them forward. So it's always important to call out by colour a difference in profile and texture." COATINGS, TREATMENTS AND TAPES Anti-slip floor coatings, or paints, are particularly suited to large areas and are applied onto conventional flooring, such as concrete, wood and metal, Altman says. They provide sub- stantial traction and are often used in industrial, factory and warehouse workplaces, where work boots are worn and there is forklift or pallet- truck traffic. Coatings, which can be used on interior and exterior surfaces, create a visible, textured surface. They may be clear or coloured. In contrast to coatings, which create a surface texture on top of the substrate, non-slip treatments con- tain a chemical that increases the roughness of the floor surface. "They create a microscopic tread on the face of the tile. Then, when that tile gets wet, the tile creates a suction- cup effect to help grip the foot on the substrate," says Altman. Treatments can be used where street shoes are generally worn. They are typically applied to hard surfaces that become extremely slippery when wet. Common applications are cer- amic, granite, terrazzo and vinyl, as well as concrete and porcelain tile. The coating increases the COF and thus the traction of the floor surface. With treatments, the floor retains its original appearance. This makes them an attractive option for busi- nesses and organizations that serve the public, such as offices, banks, stores, hotels, governments, schools and transit. One advantage of coatings and treatments is they eliminate the trips that happen due to a change in floor surface, which a mat or carpeting might cause, Altman says. "If someone is walking from one flooring type to another and there's a change in the slip resistance or COF, this can result in a slip and trip because they are in their stride. Consistent flooring type is key with selecting flooring types." Coatings and treatments need to be maintained through regular use of proper cleaners and de-greasers to remove soil and debris that can reduce the effectiveness of the slip- resistant surface. The big advantage of anti-slip tapes is they can be installed over irregu- lar surfaces. Tapes, which come in different widths and lengths and in varying grit sizes and strengths, are commonly used on construc- tion sites and scaffolding planks. They are especially useful on ladder rungs, wheelchair ramps, truck run- ning boards, stairs (particularly those with vertical exit enclosures) and in shower areas. Tapes are an inexpen- sive, quick fix but must be repaired or replaced on a regular basis. Different workplaces will require different anti-slip flooring solutions. In the municipal transport sector, especially subway systems, safety managers should consider that floor- ing must also be able to meet stringent fire retardant requirements. As well, entry and exit points should have photo luminescence for emergencies. Moreover, due to the high traffic, the flooring, as on bus wheelchair ramps, should be easily cleanable. "When they clean their buses each night, they usually use a mop and a bucket of water. So if you have a high coefficient-of-friction-product, the fibres of the mop get in there. High COF products don't stay clean very long," Schuetz says. "If you're purchas- ing a $700,000 fire truck, you don't want the anti-slip on that to be dirty and always look bad. With municipal transportation, it's always a balancing act between safety and aesthetics." Cleaning is also a major con- sideration in restaurants and food processing plants, where strict sani- tation standards must be met. Grease and food residue can accumulate in slip-resistant mats. One solution is to consider selecting a finer grit grade. A company may also need to seal the perimeter of the covering with a moisture-cured urethane to elimi- nate bacteria or moisture becoming lodged under surfaces in a plant, where it might contaminate food. Alternatively, food processing com- panies may prefer removable mats over fixed flooring. Because they can easily be taken away to be cleaned, it's easier to make sure they remain free of spilled food and liquid. Some nitrile rubber mats can be sanitized in a dishwasher. Another consideration is the clean- ing regimen: Harsh chemicals can quickly degrade an aggregate surface. "When they're choosing anti- slip flooring, they must consider their cleaning method. If it's a food processing plant that uses a high-tem- perature alkyd solution, think about what you're going to put down as your anti-slip because it may not stand up to that," Schuetz says. In manufacturing and automotive plants, managers should consider select- ing flooring that both prevents slips and trips and has ergonomic or anti-fatigue properties, Lofgreen says. Many non- slip mats are designed for workers who have to stand on hard floors for long periods of time. These help relieve stress in the back, legs and feet and reduce musculoskeletal disorders. "When people stand on them, they give in a little and bounce back. That increases the circulation in the legs to reduce fatigue," he says. Some areas in manufacturing sites tend to be constantly wet. Thick, non- slip mats that allow oils and other fluids to drain down will prevent workers from standing on wet floors. These mats are often made to be heat- resistant to withstand chemicals and extreme heat. Altman says it's important to remember flooring is just one aspect of preventing slips and trips. He advises companies to be proactive and adopt a "systems approach" to preventing incidents. In addition to the selection of the flooring, the other essential elements of the system are proper footwear and regular housekeeping. "Good housekeeping is critical because often slipper y floors are the way they are because of surface contamination. So clean up spills quickly, sweep dirt off the floor and remove clutter and obstacles," he says. "It's not just about selecting a slip-resistant floor but also about ensuring that floor stays slip-resistant after it's installed." Linda Johnson is a freelance journalist based in Toronto. She can be reached at lindajohnson@sympatico.ca. Top tips for preventing slips, trips and falls WET OR WAXED FLOORS: Do not wait for a small spill to dry up. Make sure you clean up spills immediately or post appropriate signage to make others aware of the hazard and report it to someone who can correct it. CARPETS: Make sure all rugs and carpets are free of wrinkles, not frayed and properly tacked down or equipped with non-skid mats. LOOSE FLOORING: Watch for loose tiles, bricks, pavement or floorboards. Remove or replace loose flooring or put up barriers to prevent people from walking over damaged flooring. OIL OR GREASE: Monitor equipment that may generate oil or grease spills. Have rags, an oil absorbent product (such as kitty litter) and detergent ready whenever you use oily materials. UNTIDY FLOORS: Do a visual sweep of walking areas for debris. Pick up or remove any loose items. Even a small object on the floor can cause a trip and fall. LIGHTING: Make sure stairways and hallways are well lit. Replace burnt out lights. Use a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light. STAIRS: Promote the use of handrails with signage when travelling on stairs. Treads on stairs, especially the front edge, must be maintained. FOOTWEAR: Select footwear that is appropriate for the work environment. Annual footwear inspections help ensure footwear has proper tread. CLOTHING: Hems and cuffs should be short enough so that you do not catch a heel while walking or get hooked when walking. Source: WCB Nova Scotia

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