As the American workforce is aging and the “Baby Boomers” are still going strong, the ASSE (American Society of Safety Engineers) suggest businesses should begin thinking about environments and ways of doing a job that help older workers maximize productivity and minimize errors and risks.  Even though aging brings on increased risks, older workers generally do not take it easy while they are on the job.  Their experience, work ethic and knowledge make them extremely valuable even as they may face additional obstacles as they age.
As slip and falls are a concern for any age worker, slip resistance should really be taken into account when protecting aging workers.  Their balance may not be as good as when they were younger as well as their eye sight.  Safe work areas increase confidence and keep productivity strong.  Slippery flooring and especially slippery treads are hazardous and should be eliminated. In a press release about the aging work force ASSE members suggest many ways to increase safety for an aging workforce.  A few of the suggestions talk about how important safe flooring is:

-Install skid resistant material for flooring and especially for stair treads.

-Install shallow-angle stairways and treads in place of ladders when space permits and where any daily elevated access is needed to complete a task.

-Design work floors with smooth and solid decking while still allowing some cushioning.  I think making sure this flooring has slip resistance is just as important as making sure there are no seams that a worker could trip on.

-I would also add that making sure safety treads are easily visible, well lit, and possibly even alternating in color would be important in keeping an aging work force safe.

SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring manufactures slip resistant products, including metal treads, for any work environment. Highly durable and extremely versatile; SlipNOT® products can be custom fabricated for new construction or can be retrofit over existing slippery flooring. No matter the age of the work force, safety flooring and non-slip treads are a must for a safe work environment. ASSE, “AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS SUGGEST BUSINESSES DESIGN NOW FOR AN AGING WORKFORCE AND A SHRINKING LABOR POOL.” www.asse.org.  30 October, 2007.

Filed under: Workplace Safety by Beth Faraci Social tagging: floor treads > safety treads