Why matting? Slip resistance

According to the UK's HSE (Health and Safety Executive) slips, trips and falls are the most common of workplace hazards and make up over a third of all major injuries. cause the majority of general industry accidents – a fact that employers cannot ignore!

Employers also face the risk of litigation and the additional burden of a down turn in productivity, production delays, overtime, extra temporary labor and training costs.

Looking for the causes of slips and trips is therefore vital and emphasizing the importance of floor safety cannot be overstated, particularly where the floor surface is likely to be slippery or hazardous.

According to the HSE, the most common causes of slips include:

An inappropriate floor surface – e.g. smooth, shiny tiles in a wet area;
Slippery floor surfaces - e.g. oily, icy, wet or dusty;
Poor housekeeping – e.g. spills not cleaned up immediately;
Inappropriate or sudden changes in floor surfaces and inappropriate drainage – e.g. liquid and waste from machinery leaking onto floors.

Slip resistance for wet areas

Slip resistant matting is vital wherever water may be present, especially in public places such as jetties, around swimming pools, in shower rooms and in changing areas.

Plastex's matting range for barefoot and wetside features matting products with high slip resistance properties as well as excellent drainage.

Slip resistance for working environments

Underfoot safety in manufacturing, production, sorting lines, benches, handling areas and workstations is needed to help protect employees from grease and water spillages and the debris that can cause accidents. Plastex's slip resistant matting range for the workplace.

Slip resistance for external walkways

All-weather matting provides safe and slip resistant access on flat and sloping public walkways (see here) to high level roofs and gantries (see specialist matting range).

Slip resistance for entrances

Up to 80% of dirt entering a building is taken in on the soles of shoes or on the tyres of wheels. Plastex high performance entrance flooring systems will keep busy entrance halls clean and safe by effectively scraping away dirt, protecting internal floors, minimizing the risk of slipping and effectively reducing cleaning and maintenance costs.

Slip resistance for bars/kitchens/food processing

Liquids, grease and spillages are likely in bars, food preparation and service areas. Installing slip resistant matting ensures the safety and comfort of staff and customers (see here).

Plastex's matting range is tested to International standards using the DIN 51130 slip resistance testing: the matting is inclined with a person, wearing calibrated footwear, standing on the wetted surface, until a slip occurs. Dependent on the angle of inclination when the slip occurs, an appropriate ‘R’ rating is given.