According to an article “Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls: Improving Floor Safety Protocols Can Recoup

Big Dollars for Facility Managers” by Corinne Zudonyl, “50 percent of facility accidents can actually be attributed to the type of flooring used.  Regardless of cause, these accidents can cost facilities big bucks in unemployment and liability claims.”  The author also states that slips, trips and falls make up

15 percent of all accidental deaths and are ranked second in line to auto accidents as the major cause of fatalities.

Slip and fall floor-related accidents have been identified by the following three general causes: physical, social and environmental.  The author identifies elements such as snow, rain, water, soil and dust as environmental factors that can contribute to these slip and fall incidents.  Since cleaning crews cannot be prepared for when these elements may occur, preparation could help eliminate potential accidents.

Walk-off mats are suggested to be permanently placed to help absorb moisture and soil, providing the employees with a non-slip surface, regardless of what they drag in.  However, I would suggest incorporating a metal slip-resistant flooring alternative to offer employees the peace of mind that the non-slip surface won’t suffer wear and tear from usage and over absorption.

Zudonyl references the following NFSI requirements for cleaning managers to follow when selecting the proper flooring for their business.

• Slip resistance — Make sure the flooring has a wet, static coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.6 or higher

• Ease of cleaning — If dirt and grease are difficult to remove from floors, they could build up causing a slip hazard

• Ease of maintenance — Select floor cleaners that are designed for flooring used within the facility

• Durability — Select a floor that will hold up under normal use

• Absorption — Floors that absorb too much moisture will also absorb contaminants. A high amount of moisture in a tile can also cause it to crack or become uneven

• Frost resistance — Surfaces that expand and contract with temperature changes are more likely to crack, crumble and decay over time

In addition, wearing the proper safety footwear is crucial.  “The higher the traction, the less likely a slip and fall will occur.”  High traction shoes could work together with the non-slip flooring, which in turn, would help prevent accidents and time off work.

If the proper precautions and safety methods are put into practice, facilities could save a lot of money in occupational injury costs.  Don Ostrander, CSP, director of consulting services occupational safety and health at the National Safety Council, states that “the average cost from slip and falls is $22,800 per accident.”   If facilities document hazardous areas and enforce a safety method to keep their employees safe, this cost could be significantly reduced while providing workers with a healthy and safe place to work.

Zudonyl, Corinne. “Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls.” 

Filed under: Workplace Safety by Beth Faraci