Choosing the correct steel floor grating is crucial for heavy vehicular loads and harsh environments.  Many large urban buildings such as hospitals incorporate grate systems over their vaults and pits, which are flush level with the sidewalk or road.   During the winter of 2003, a skid-steer loader being used to clear a hospitals snowy sidewalk plunged into a vault when the grate system failed under the weight of the loader, resulting in injury for the employee.  The loader dropped 20 feet and the employee died an hour after the accident. 

At the time of this accident, the age and capacity of the aluminum grate was unknown.  Many safety checks were made on the grate system before, but being that the bolts were not exposed, resulted in corrosion.   Due to the corroded bolts, the entire system failed.  Overall, the aluminum grating system was not sufficient for heavy equipment such as skid-steer loaders, forklifts or other vehicles.    

This aluminum floor grating should have only been used for lightweight applications that require a corrosion resistant material.  It may keep pedestrians safe, but is not appropriate for heavy equipment or vehicles. 

SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring offers a grating that would serve both purposes; heavy duty equipment and pedestrian safety.  It is also ideal for wet, slippery situations where corrosion resistance is vital.   For additional safety, the steel floor grating is coated with SlipNOT® slip resistance.  This will ensure pedestrians a sure-footed surface.  The galvanized steel has an unmatched surface hardness of between 55-63 on the Rockwell “C” scale and a bond strength of at least 4,000 psi.  The strength and corrosion resistant surface would be the proper decision for future grating installations.  Galvanized steel flooring can hold a larger capacity, and will not corrode throughout harsh weather conditions.

Filed under: Workplace Safety by Beth Faraci Social tagging: aluminum grating system > steel floor grating