The Importance of Slip-Resistance
Slip and Fall Injuries: The Risks of Floors Without Slip Resistance
Slips, trips, and falls ranked third among the top employer-related workplace injuries, driving the need for a deeper look at their consequences and solutions to help reduce lost workdays.
- Slips, trips, and falls led to 450,540 work injuries and 865 work-related deaths.
- Account for 15% of workers’ compensation claims
- General Incidents- Responsible for 21.3% emergency room vists in the U.S.
- Contribute to one-eighth of the eight million annual injuries and deaths in the U.S.
- 5% of fall accidents result in broken bones, like hip fractures, elbow fractures, etc.
Use Factors:
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Establish a cleaning plan, so that residues from plant cleaning are removed promptly and not left to evaporate to dryness on the floor.
- Behavior: Workplace practices should minimize floor contamination and support safe movment.
- Footwear: Appropiate footwear enhances saftey by complementing the floor’s slip resistance.
DESIGN FACTORS:
- Process Design: Engineering solutions to prevent contamination and improve drainage, such as slopes.
- Floor Specifications: Tailored surface profiles to match slip-resistenace needs.
Why Slip-Resistance Flooring Matters
- Slip-and-fall accidents result in severe injuries and costly legal consequences.
- Uneven or wet surfaces contribute to 55% of slip-and-fall incidents.
- Slip-resistant flooring provides a secure and stable surface, reducing risks for everyone in your facility.
Understanding the Coefficient of Friction
- Definition: Measures how slippery a surface is, the higher the value, the better the slip resistance.
- Material Consideration: Different floor materials require different coefficient
OSHA Recommendations
- Minimum COF of 0.5 for workplace waling surfaces
- Higher COFs required for tasks like carrying, pushing, or pulling objects or working on ramps.
Sika Ucrete Flooring Solution
Sika Ucrete is the toughest floor since 1969, along with providing excellent slip-resistance for safer work environments. Find out more here:
Sika Ucrete in Action
Common Use of Sika Ucrete
- Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, veterinary facilities, pharmaceutical biotech facilities
- Food & Beverage: Processing plants, restaurants, grocery stores
- Industrial: Manufacturing, assembly, aerospace, and automotive facilities
- Commercial: Retail stores, hotels, casinos, transport terminals
- Educational: Laboratories, schools, universities
