Slip Resistance And Tile Floors Washington DC

If you are working with stone tile for flooring, or even ceramics or other tiles, you may receive a request from a customer for a slip-resistant floor. To apply this, there are many treatments that can be purchased to make a tile surface slip-resistant. These treatments fall into two categories: coatings and chemical/physical treatments that alter the surface of the tile.

Coatings can be waxes, acrylics or other commercially available products. The coating places a thin layer of material on the surface of the tile. The tile will then be only as slippery as the coating itself.

Warning: Not all coatings provide slip resistance. In fact some coatings will make a floor more slippery. Before specifying a coating, contact the manufacturer of the coating and ask for slip-resistance test data. Many of the coating manufacturers are very familiar with slip resistance. Make sure the coating can be used on the tile surface you are installing. Certain coatings will not adhere to polished stone or porcelain and require coatings specified for those surfaces.

There are now also special treatments available that chemically or physically alter the surface of a tile and can be applied to render it slip resistant. Hydrofluoric acid treatment is the primary one. The acid attacks the surface of the tile and creates microscopic holes. This is what is typically called etching of the surface. This process works effectively on many surfaces but can decrease the service life of the tile. Once the surface is treated with this method, maintenance will increase. Because these treatments contain a very dangerous acid, they should only be applied by trained individuals. Contact your local tile supply store for recommended contractors.

The issue of slip resistance is of major concern in the United States. Lawsuits are on the increase as con artists continue their search for the big payoff. Large hotels, banks and other big corporate building owners are their main targets but they are also targeting the small business. The corner food store and the local gas station are not exempt.

However, there are times when a floor surface is not safe. Many factors contribute to the slipperiness of the floor. Water, grease, oil and debris scattered on a floor all can contribute to its slipperiness. The competent architect and designer cannot control what happens to the floor after it's installed, but he/she can get it started properly.

How To Minimize Slip/Fall Accidents

In addition to coatings and treatments, another way you can assist your flooring customer is to provide him or her with information on how to minimize slips. You may want to consider giving all customers this information in writing.

Although it will be impossible to prevent all slip/fall accidents, there are several precautionary procedures that building owners, cleaning companies and others can take to minimize risk. The following are some suggestions and are not intended to replace legal advice if an accident occurs:

1. Pay attention to areas where water and/or spills occur. A walk-off mat should be placed inside the entrance of doors during a rain storm. When floor tile gets wet, the coefficient of friction (COF) may decrease, causing a fall. Mats should be placed out before it starts raining. Pay attention to areas where food is served or carried. Food or drink spills can create an icelike condition on the floor and should be picked up as soon as they occur.
2. If the floor tile is maintained by stripping and waxing, this procedure should be done at night when there is no one around to fall. Daily wet mopping should also be performed in the evening during off-hours.
3. Always place wet floor signs in all areas in which you may be working. This applies for all times of the day or night. It is also a good idea to train your floor cleaning personnel to warn people who may walk across the floor that it might be slippery.

4. Keep accurate records. It is surprising how many cleaning companies fail to keep any record of maintenance on a tile surface. Accurate record keeping says that you are responsible and you generally care about safety. Include in your records the name brands of all products used on the floor, procedures performed on the floor and how often (be specific) and who performed these procedures.

   It is a good idea to keep a daily log of the maintenance procedures. Designate one individual to keep track of the log and have him or her perform routine inspections of the floor and record what was found during the inspections. If a legal suit is filed, this information will be quite helpful in proving you are competent and, hopefully, not at fault.

5. Get slip/fall insurance. Every building owner should carry slip/fall insurance. Some of the products used on the floor will also carry slip/fall insurance. This insurance is designed to protect the coating manufacturer and you should not rely entirely on their insurance. Get your own policy.

What To Do When Someone Falls

Another important bit of information you can make your flooring customers aware of is what to do when someone does slip and fall. Share the following information:

1. Treat the victim with kindness and courtesy. Do not administer medical treatment unless you happen to be qualified. If necessary call an ambulance. Also offer to call their family. Show care and concern.
2. Look at the victim's clothing and especially his/her shoes. Take notice of how worn they are and the overall condition. Once the victim leaves, record this information in your log or on a separate report. This is important — remember it takes two surfaces to slip. If the victim is wearing worn shoes, part of the blame may be placed on his/her neglect.
3. Look carefully at the area where the victim fell. Is there water, grease, a banana peel? Record in the log anything you find.
4. Did any one else see the fall? If so, take a statement from them. Record this in a special report and get their names, addresses and phone numbers.
5. Record the time and location of the fall. Pay special attention to the weather conditions — was it raining, snowy?
6. Did you notice how the victim walked? Did he or she stumble or appear as if they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs? If possible record the victim's behavior and how he/she walked or ran before the fall.
7. If you have a camera, take pictures of the victim and the area where the accident took place.
8. Fill out an accident report and do not leave out any detail. Use additional sheets of paper if necessary.

Following the above suggestions will help considerably when involved in a slip/fall case. Your attorney will love you for it.

One Final Word

The legislation and rules concerning COF and slip/fall can and probably will change. It is a good idea to consult with an expert in slip/fall and to keep up to date with any new rule, law or recommendation that may sneak up.

About the author:

Frederick M. Hueston runs the National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades, Asheville, NC 28806; www.ntc-stone.com; and can be reached at Fhueston@aol.com.