Key Areas of Focus

When looking to test for slip resistance there are some key factors you need to consider in order to determine which areas to focus on. Generally, these are areas that experience high traffic; have differences in surface texture, levels or height; are in constant contact with moisture; or tend to be cluttered.

Some of the most common places that involve these factors and therefore require floor testing services include:

• External walkways – These areas are often subject to heavy foot traffic and can also become wet during the wet season.
• Ramps – Because of their straight, downward surface ramps must be tested for slip resistance. External ramps in particular pose greater risks since they are exposed to outdoor elements.
• Entry and exit points – Apart from being exposed to the elements and heavy foot traffic, building entry and exit points often have transitions into smooth internal floors that can cause slips and falls.
• Communal change rooms – Locker rooms and dressing rooms, particularly those near shower rooms like in gyms and schools are likely to cause slips, trips and falls due to slippery wet floors and also because they are often cluttered with bags, towels and other belongings.
• Communal shower rooms – Of course these too should also be slip checked as they are always wet and slippery.
• Commercial kitchens, food and drink serving areas – Plenty of spills and foot traffic happen in commercial kitchens, bars and other food serving areas.
• Swimming pool surrounds – Like shower rooms these areas are notorious for being constantly wet and slippery, and people walking on them barefoot increases the chances of slips and falls.
• Steps and stairs – These can be found in just about every building, and there are several reasons why they need to be checked. First of all, they easily get worn out due to foot traffic. This wear, which includes uneven steps, ripped carpeting and loose or worn stair nosing can cause accidents. Secondly, stairs that have even a slight difference in step height or error in design can easily cause trips and falls.

Focussing on these areas when slip resistance testing helps to save you time, but because buildings and surfaces can differ greatly there may be areas in your property other than these that will require slip testing. For this reason it’s important to consult a professional slip resistance specialist like those at SlipCheck. We can provide you with comprehensive, reliable slip testing services on all of your riskiest areas to ensure total premises safety and building code compliance. Give us a call today.