Slip-Resistant Flooring For Workplace Safety and Productivity

The right flooring makes all the difference to the style and presence of your commercial space—but flooring plays a much more important role than simply aesthetics.

When you run or build a commercial or industrial space, choosing the right flooring is an essential part of safety. Some tiles are too slick and prone to slips and falls, while carpeting may wear through and become a trip hazard. At Precision Flooring Services, we provide our clients with a selection of hard-working commercial slip-resistant flooring options that increase workplace safety and productivity from the ground up.

Take a closer look at why your flooring choice is so important and how to start looking for the right one.

Why Slip-Resistant Flooring Matters

Slip-resistant flooring is an important part of any slip-and-fall prevention strategy. It protects your staff in busy work areas that are susceptible to slips, such as kitchens. It also protects customers and guests, especially around entryways, drink areas, and restrooms where the floors can intermittently become slippery. It can even be an essential element of having a safe and compliant building. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires flooring to be slip-resistant, with specific co-efficiencies of friction in different areas. OSHA guidelines also emphasize the importance of commercial slip-resistant flooring to keep staff and workers safer from harm.

Industries Where This Matters

Virtually every commercial or industrial space benefits from using slip-resistant flooring options. However, some industries need it more than others, either due to the increased likelihood of slippery conditions or due to the increased severity of physical danger when slips might occur. If you manage or own a building in these industries, make commercial slip-resistant flooring a priority.

Restaurant and Food Service

Commercial kitchens are very dangerous and prone to trips, slips, and falls if you don’t take proactive measures. Spilled water and oil will drastically increase slips, and even oil splatter from cooking will build up on the flooring. Slip-resistant flooring helps workers stay safe throughout daily operations and during cleanup tasks.

Retail

Retail flooring also must be slip-resistant. First, because of the high degree of foot traffic, inclement weather can make the floor slippery very quickly unless it has enough grip. The high level of foot traffic also means the wrong flooring opens up your business to much liability because each guest can present a potential claim or lawsuit.

Manufacturing and Industrial Settings

In manufacturing and industrial settings, safety is always key. Even in industries and workspaces where the flooring is unlikely to become slippery from day to day, these settings are dangerous, and every reasonable precaution should be taken. Slips and falls could lead to people entering marked-off areas around autonomous or sharp equipment, make them drop heavy or sharp loads, and make them bump their heads on hard surfaces. By investing in flooring with a coefficient of friction of 0.5 or higher, you protect your teams and your organization. Every area should be considered separately, from general work areas to stairs and ramps.

Gyms and Fitness Centers

Gyms and fitness centers also benefit from slip-resistant flooring. Water bottles, gym drinks, and sweat all contribute to a slippery floor. That adds an element of danger when gym-goers need traction to lift heavy weights safely and when people are running around a track.

What to Consider When Choosing Slip-Resistant Flooring

When you’re considering different flooring options, look for factors such as:

• Co-efficient of friction, or general grippiness
• Cleanability and stain resistance
• Long-term lifespan

Slip-Resistant Flooring in the Metro DC Area

At Precision Flooring Services, we’re committed to providing high-quality flooring that meets the needs of property owners and their staff and guests. Our commercial slip-resistant flooring inventory features a wide range of different options so you can satisfy safety requirements.

Contact us today or visit us to find your next flooring.

Image credit: Petr Svoboda/ Shutterstock