How do you prevent workers at a heavy engineering plant from slipping on oil, grease and grime?
Like most heavy engineering plants, UK-based Howco Whitham uses cutting fluid in their processes, resulting in oily floors and a build up of grease and grime. Factory management wanted to find a permanent solution that would keep floors safe, as well as provide standing employees with comfort underfoot.
The problem
Howco Whitham is a heavy engineering plant in South Yorkshire, England, and one of the area’s leading steel stockholders. The cutting fluids used in their engineering processes meant a large volume of oil, grease and grime was ending up on the production floor, creating slippery surfaces near the workbenches and machinery. In addition, employees had voiced concerns about standing for prolonged periods on the hard flooring. The company needed to find a permanent flooring solution that would not only help prevent accidents, but also provide workers with comfort underfoot.
The checklist
- Sits flush against machinery and production lines
- Provides anti-fatigue properties and comfort underfoot
- Quickly drains and dissipates spilled liquids
- Resistant to oils and chemicals
- Can be easily rolled up for daily cleaning
The solution
We worked closely with the distributor, Rubber Safety Hygiene Ltd, to find the best solution for Howco Whitham’s heavy-duty environment. After testing several options, Vynagrip was installed against and around the machinery, as well as along the full length of the steel processing lines.
Made from non-porous PVC, Vynagrip is impermeable to oils, acids and chemicals, making it ideal for factory environments with high volumes of production waste. Its open-grid construction allows maximum drainage, while the diamond cut pattern provides superior grip and slip resistance. Vynagrip is also perfect for workplaces with standing employees: the two-layer construction provides comfortable cushioning and anti-fatigue properties proven to help boost productivity.
At a glance
Client
Howco Whitham
Brief
A permanent, slip-resistant flooring solution for a heavy-duty engineering plant
Location
South Yorkshire, UK
“Because of our heavy engineering processes, there's constant use of cutting oil. Inevitably, this used to create a problem with slippery surfaces, particularly near the workbenches and around the machinery. Vynagrip has proved to be the ideal solution, making the environment much safer to work in. The management and our employees are delighted.”
Andrew Marwood, engineering and manufacturing director, Howco Group
Product spotlight
Vynagrip
Our number one defence against slippery environments, Vynagrip is a heavy-duty mat designed to withstand all kinds of workplace liquids.
Flexible formats: Choose from modules with ramped PVC edging or rolls in standard widths and 10m lengths
Simple installation: Easy to cut on site; contours to uneven surfaces
Easy to maintain: No special cleaning tools needed; easy to clean with a high pressure hose
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
Diamond cut pattern | 
Certified slip resistant (DIN 51130: R11, ASTM 1677: 1.0/0.9) |
Two layer open-grid construction | 
Excellent drainage (DIN 51130: V10) |
Made from non-porous PVC | 
Chemical, oil and acid resistant |
Proven anti-fatigue properties | 
Boosts productivity |
Comes in 10m (33') rolls or ramped modules | 
Contours to uneven surfaces |
