Epoxy, phenolic, or chemical flooring
Chemical flooring treatments with added particulates to increase surface traction offer an economical alternative for large surface area coverage. Many production facilities use this approach to treat concrete surfaces over wide areas. Designers may choose from various chemical mixes and formulations to increase surface hardness or chemical resistance to help meet operational needs. This option often requires pre-treatment and various curing times to ensure maximum performance, which may significantly disrupt current operations, and needs to be taken into consideration with the construction phasing and scheduling. It is important to monitor surface conditions and reapply this flooring when it starts to peel or flake.
Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) products
Fiber-reinforced plastic is a composite material made up of polymer supported with fibers for added strength. Available in plate, stair tread, and grating options, FRP products provide excellent chemical resistance, and lightweight and good traction. While not as durable as metal flooring or other durable chemical options, FRP products provide a competitive cost option. FRP products tend to wear more quickly than other available technologies and require some additional installation and have fabrication challenges.
Ceramic tile or dairy brick
A traditional choice for walking and working services, tile and dairy tile often make up a significant percentage of a facility’s walking surface. There are a wide variety of material types available to address the aesthetic and functional needs of a project. Easily installed and replaced when needed, tile surfaces provide an effective and economical choice for large area coverage.
Surface friction available from different tile types will vary greatly. Research the COF of commercial tiles available before including in project specifications. Much like diamond checker plates, tiles can become dangerously unsafe when wet or contaminated with other substances. Dairy brick was initially used to help transfer products by sliding along the floor by reducing its surface COF when wet.
Make a financial case for safety
Choosing the right surfaces during specification reduces the need for mitigation or material retrofits after construction is complete, saving thousands of dollars. More importantly, pre-engineering the right technological solution into a project prevents slip-and-fall events from ever occurring, averting people from being seriously injured or worse.
The 2021 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (WSI) identified falls, slips, and trips as the cause of more than 33 percent of the top 10 most disabling workplace injuries.3
The report estimates these injuries cost businesses approximately $19 billion per year. While several direct costs associated with a slip-and-fall event are covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance or a facilities risk management carrier, owners incur additional indirect costs associated with each event, often exceeding the direct costs owners/employers incur. These can include lost production time, recruiting and training new employees, increasing insurance premiums, low employee morale, and others.
