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Floor Safety Consultations from Grip Guard

Slippery Floors - Are Your Floors Safe?

All businesses and property owners have a duty of care to employees as well as third parties visiting their premises. The Occupational Health and Safety Act prescribes that floors must be safe for pedestrian use.

Slips and falls are the second most occurring workplace accident. They cost businesses and councils millions of dollars each year. In spite of this, those responsible for workplace safety often do not know exactly what their obligations are in this regard.

The Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards both provide information in regards to the suggested slip resistance of floors in particular areas. For example, a floor in a wet area, such as in a public rest room will require a more highly slip resistant surface than one in an office building hallway where floors are more likely to only be wet when cleaned (after normal business hours).

In order to meet their 'duty of care', building owners/managers should seek assistance in regards to:

Identifying the Risks - through periodic site inspections
Assess the Risks - by having floors slip tested on a regular basis
Control the Risk - by ensuring suggested floor maintenance and non-slip treatments (if required) are undertaken
Monitor the Risk - through periodic spot checks

Slip testing provides empirical data that can be utilized to determine whether floors meet Australian Standards of slip resistance. This allows those responsible to be proactive in creating a safe pedestrian environment.

There is a range of non-slip and anti-slip floor safety initiatives available to property owners including:

Grip Guard anti-slip floor safety treatment (for tiled and stone surfaces)
Non-Slip safety stair nosings and plates for both internal (polymeric) and external (carborundum) applications.
DuraGrip R-10 anti-slip sealer for vinyl or timber
Fordex marine grade safety floor for external ramps
Tactiles for the visually impaired (to meet DDA regulations)

Grip Guard provides floor safety consultations and assist property owners in the selection and installation of appropriate floor safety products and services. Technicians also provide slip testing and reporting so that OH&S personnel can evidence their 'duty of care'.

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