When talking about flooring and slip resistance the most important thing to remember is that all floors are suitable, provided they are installed in the correct application and care is taken to ensure the surface is correctly maintained and that other contributing factors are accounted for. For example, polished marble is not suitable for use in catering facilities or as an entrance system where pedestrians will walk in direct from the exterior.
The suitability of existing floor surfaces and, indeed, those to be used in redevelopment and new builds, is dependent on a number of factors, however, the first consideration should be slip risk assessment.
There are five key points to consider in risk assessment:
- Identify the hazards
- Decide who may be harmed
- Evaluate the risks and decide if the existing precautions are adequate
- Record the significant findings
- Review the assessment periodically
From the results it is essential that you take remedial action when the controls are insufficient to prevent harm. And remember it's the action, as a result of the risk assessment process, that matters.