Safe Tread provides some simple steps for ensuring a safe working environment for your customers.
Slips and trips easily remain the top offender when it comes to workplace injuries. In fact, according to HSE, a third of all accidents are a result of slips, trips, or falls in the workplace.
By law, companies are required to “ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work, so far as is reasonably practicable.” This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks.
Companies across the UK end up spending millions in compensation and lost productivity every year on workplace injuries. Here are some simple tips for assisting your clients in improving their workplace safety.
Keep slips and trips in check
Slips and trips might not be at the forefront of your clients’ minds, so it is important that when assessing the environment, that you are also considering these hazards as part of your initial assessments.
While it is crucial that builders comply with safety regulations, and legislation to help mitigate accidents, many slip and trip hazards can be mitigated by some simple housekeeping. Ensure that flooring is tidy and clear of obstacles, fix and repair any damaged flooring and use a cable tidy to cover any cables that cross walkways.
Get the right tools: Anti-Slip Step-Over Platforms
Custom-made GRP grating step access platforms are a versatile solution for various industrial applications. Simple to install, they can be used to ensure safe access and clearly marked walking routes over pipe work, cable trays, ducting, industrial machinery, gutters, and walls.
Assess the right flooring for the job
A full risk assessment should be undertaken to determine flooring suitability, taking into consideration durability, slip and impact resistance, ergonomic properties, maintenance, and fire safety requirements depending on the environment and industry.
Non-slip or slip-resistant surfaces are particularly important in areas prone to moisture or spills, specifically in cases of food manufacturing or chemical manufacturing.
Get the right tools: Anti-Slip Flooring
Perfect for a variety of settings, the anti-slip surface has been rigorously tested for exceptional slip-resistance and is guaranteed for 10 years. They are fire-resistant and non-conductive, making it ideal for areas with high-voltage equipment.
Anti-Slip GRP Grating
GRP open mesh grating is a versatile, high-quality flooring and a credible alternative to steel mesh grating. It performs exceptionally well in aggressive and corrosive environments, even in extreme temperature conditions. The lightweight construction makes it easy to install and requires no ongoing maintenance. It also comes in a variety of standard colours and can be customised.
Improve visibility
Warning signs and floor markings are a simple, yet effective way to alert employees to potential hazards. Builders should take care to use warning signs to indicate wet floors, uneven surfaces, or other hazards that could cause slips and trips. Warning signs should be made using high-contrast colours and reflective materials to enhance visibility, especially in dimly lit areas, they should be easy to understand, and placed in areas where they can be seen by all customers and employees.
Additionally, in accordance with The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Equality Act 2010, all commercial or public stairways accessed by the public should feature contrasting colour nosing on all step edges, especially for the benefit of visually impaired individuals. Stair nosings should have a slip-resistant surface, particularly in wet conditions, for enhanced safety.
Get the right tools: Anti-Slip Stair Treads
Designed to cover the existing stairs, these are a quick and cost-effective solution to improve safety. They’re made from hardwearing GRP and are ideal for stairs with high footfall and heavily worn steps. They are available in a range of colours and finishes are guaranteed for 10 years.
Stair Nosing
A super quick and easy way to add visibility and slip resistance to improve stair safety. Perfect for commercial, industrial, and domestic environments, they can be used both internally and externally or for wet or high-risk areas. These are a cost-effective, long term solution and help to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (yellow and white nosing). Available in medium and fine grit and a wide range of colours.
Anti-Slip Strips
A great way to add colour and visibility to increased areas of risk within a workplace setting. They can be installed on any flooring surface and come in 12 colour options, 50mm or 90mm and a variety of length options as standard, but can be coloured, cut, or drilled to your exact specifications.
The takeaway
Accidents are an unfortunate reality, but there are straightforward measures that can be implemented to ensure the safety of the public and employees. Taking simple measures, like cleaning up spills, tidying up equipment (especially those pesky trailing cables), improving lighting, and ensuring the right flooring is in place can make a big difference for your clients in preventing slips and trips.
At Safe Tread, we place utmost importance on safety. As the manufacturer, we uphold stringent quality control measures in accordance with our ISO 9001 accredited Quality Management System.
Our anti-slip solutions are crafted from durable GRP material and subjected to rigorous testing for slip resistance in accordance with BS 7976-2 standards. They also conform to Euro Class 1 – ISO 11952-2 and Class A2-S1 – ISO 9239-1 fire resistance specifications.
We offer a range of services to ensure installation is as easy as possible, including our nationwide installation service, free samples, as well as custom size cutting, pre-drilling and colour-matching services.
For further information on Safe Tread visit Anti-Slip Stair & Floor Safety | Safe Tread | UK.
And don’t forget, use code PROBUILD10 at checkout and save 10% off your entire order at safetread.co.uk!*
*10% discount does not include the step over platform or grating.
