Wipe the floor with slip risks

Latest statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that slips and trips combined made up more than half of all reported major injuries in the UK costing employers more than £500 million per year. 95% of major slips result in broken bones and they can also be the initial cause for a range of other types of accidents such as a fall from height.

A common misconception is that these accidents are inevitable, especially when floors are wet, however evidence suggests that if a few simple steps were taken the majority of risks could easily be prevented. As the onus in the first instance lies with the employer it is key to ensure the risks of a slippery floor are accurately assessed and adequately controlled.

The HSE recognised testing methodology for testing the slipperiness of floors is measured using two instruments:

• A pendulum co efficient of friction test:  This test is based on a swinging, imitation heal which sweeps over a set area of flooring in a controlled manner. Research has confirmed the pendulum to be the most reliable and accurate method of testing for understanding floor slipperiness in both dry and contaminated conditions which is why the HSE has adopted it as its chosen method. However, to be used reliably it needs to be operated and interpreted by a suitably trained and competent person.

• A surface roughness meter: An indication of slipperiness in water-contaminated conditions may simply be obtained using the surface roughness of flooring materials. Surface Micro Roughness is measured using a hand held meter and gives a good indication of the floor slipperiness in water contaminated conditions.

Assessing and controlling risk on your floor

Below are four simple steps that can make all the difference to preventing slips:

• Ensure that the material laid is fit for purpose. These days we have access to a wealth of products – tiles, vinyls, rubber – which have been produced with safety in mind. If you are unsure about the product suitability seek expert advice or send a sample to be tested offsite to ensure that it complies with regulations. If an existing floor does not appear to be ‘fit for purpose’ then don’t assume you need to undertake the costly exercise of replacing. In the majority of cases, a floor can be treated to bring an otherwise unsafe area up to safe levels – there are a number of treatments available that offer both permanent and temporary changes to the floor often improving the aesthetic at the same time.

•Once laid ensure that regular audits are conducted or alternatively get an accredited test house to certify your floor as ‘low potential for slip’. Good management systems mean that a problem is highlighted and can be dealt with before it becomes an issue.

•Check your cleaning methods. In nine cases out of 10 where floors become slippery over time the cause is found to be cleaning methods or products used. Most floors only become slippery when a build-up of contamination forms on the surface reducing the surface roughness and therefore the friction. Contamination can be anything that ends up on the floor and is not removed – spillages, dust, rainwater and in many cases residue from cleaning products themselves, particularly those with a heavy foam. It seems simple to say that in many cases the risk of a slip in the workplace can be significantly lowered just by reviewing your cleaning methods and products but 90% of the time this is the case.

•Don’t wait until an accident happens before acting – be proactive

Legislative changes

How to decide if a floor poses a risk has caused much controversy over the years. With the growing problem of floors in the workplace that are not fit for purpose the EU has spent a number of years analysing the most effective way of combating this problem and its solution will come into place in July 2013. New legislation requires all new floors to have a CE marking to confirm that they have been tested to Pendulum standards and meet the low potential for slip or risk recommendation. This will ensure that a blanket standard is implemented across the UK. Whilst this does not effect existing floors yet, it does put a lot of focus on the standards and expectations surrounding this issue and firmly backs up the HSE policies in this area.

Monitoring your floors needn’t be time consuming, costly or a worry. By implementing the correct controls from the start and understanding the procedures and HSE regulations most slip risks can be eliminated.