Keep Your Footing on Slippery Surfaces (2024)

Keep Your Footing on Slippery Surfaces (1)

Slips are one of the most preventable yet prevalent workplace injuries. While it is simple to clean up a spill or put up a caution sign, it is not as simple to heal a broken bone. Keep safety in mind during wet weather or when working with liquids.

Wet surfaces always present a workplace hazard, and account for many injuries in the transportation industry. Slick warehouse floors require extra caution whether they are caused by rain, cleaning and accident spills or wet winter conditions. Slipping on a wet surface can result in bruises, strains and sprains, lacerations, fractures, head trauma and even fatality. And all that stacks up to lost wages, too.

Take Action

When you see that an indoor work surface has gotten wet, act immediately to dry it or find an alternate workspace. Follow these general guidelines to protect your team from serious injury:

  • Clean up spills immediately.
  • Use caution signs to clearly identify when a surface is wet or likely to become wet and remove the signs as soon as the surface is dry.
  • Barricade affected areas where possible.
  • Use sand or salt on wet walking surfaces that cannot be avoided.
  • Check for equipment and electrical currents that may not be grounded and wires that are not insulated.
  • Use floor mats at entrances and exits of covered areas to reduce tracking in water from outside.
  • Ensure good drainage to prevent standing water and speed drying.
  • Use pumps to disperse water.
  • Be sure to wear shoes and boots with slip-resistant soles, and clean them if they become muddy.
  • Report any spills or wet areas that you notice to your supervisor.

Anti-slip Tips

If you cannot avoid walking on a wet surface, follow these tips to avoid slipping and falling:

  • Slow down! Rushing is not worth a serious injury and lost wages.
  • Take small steps to keep your balance centered.
  • Walk with your feet pointed slightly outward to form a stable base.
  • Make wide turns at corners.
  • Use handrails if present.
  • Concentrate on the surface you are walking on.
  • Be prepared for slippery patches.
  • Keep your hands out for balance.

Speak Up

We care about your safety. If you have any doubt about the safety of your worksite, whether it concerns a wet surface or another hazard, talk to your supervisor. It takes the cooperation of our entire team to keep our worksite safe.

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Keep Your Footing on Slippery Surfaces (2024)

FAQs

How do you protect yourself from slippery surfaces? ›

Consider wearing shoes with non-slip soles. Practice safe walking skills, such as taking short steps on slippery surfaces to keep better balance.

How do you deal with slippery surfaces? ›

Invest in a non-slip coating to ensure your surfaces are safe for anyone using it. SlipDoctors' anti-slip treatment for vinyl surfaces and other synthetic floors increase traction within minutes, are easy to apply and are highly economical. Improve grip and avoid accidents on your synthetic floors today.

How do you prevent fall on slippery surfaces? ›

Install warning signs for wet floor areas (including freshly mopped floors). Wear shoes with good support and slip-resistant soles appropriate for the job task. Remove tripping hazards in walkways, doorways and stairs. Keep drawers and cabinet doors closed when possible.

Where is the most slippery walking surface in a facility tend to be located near? ›

The most slippery places inside of buildings tend to be near entrances, restrooms and around machinery. —Often the floors in these locations are made of moderately slippery materials, such as vinyl, tile or painted concrete, which can become "skating rinks" when they get wet.

What will you do to prevent slippery? ›

It includes:
  1. cleaning all spills immediately.
  2. marking spills and wet areas.
  3. mopping or sweeping debris from floors.
  4. removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping walkways free of clutter.
  5. securing (tacking, taping, etc.) ...
  6. always closing file cabinet or storage drawers.
  7. covering cables that cross walkways.

How do you make surfaces less slippery? ›

How to Get Rid of Slippery Floors
  1. Keep Floors Dry at All Times. ...
  2. Use a Degreasing Agent in Typically Oily Areas. ...
  3. Use the Right Kind of Cleaner and Polish. ...
  4. Clean Floors Thoroughly. ...
  5. Always Use a Dry Mop After Cleaning and Polishing. ...
  6. Invest in the Right Kind of Matting for Multiple Areas of Your Workspace.
Jan 8, 2018

How do you fix a slippery surface? ›

Vinegar and water solution: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water to create a natural cleaning solution that can help remove grease and residue from your floors, making them less slippery.

How do you stop a floor from being slippery? ›

  1. Clean floors often. The easiest method to make your floors less slippery is to keep them clean. ...
  2. Use door mats. ...
  3. Use area rugs. ...
  4. Remove wax residue. ...
  5. Purchase an anti-slip treatment. ...
  6. Use non-skid paint. ...
  7. Use adhesive 'peel and stick' anti-slip tiles. ...
  8. Clean moisture residue.
Dec 12, 2022

How do you walk on a slippery surface? ›

Wear footwear that has good traction. Avoid shoes with smooth soles when conditions are rainy or icy. Take shorter steps at a slower pace when walking on wet, dark or icy pavement that may be slippery. Hold onto the handrails when using stairs.

What is the safety precautions of slippery floor? ›

Slip, trip and fall safety precautions
  • make repairs or replace the floor surface if required.
  • ensure personnel wear suitable and appropriate footwear – this includes visitors.
  • assess the cause of slippery surfaces and treat accordingly, for example treat chemically and use appropriate cleaning methods.

How can you prevent skidding on slippery surfaces? ›

To prevent skidding on slippery surfaces:
  1. Slow down as you approach intersections and curves. For sharp curves, slow down as you approach and move through.
  2. Avoid fast turns and quick stops.
  3. Shift to low gear before going down a steep hill.
  4. Avoid areas like ice patches, wet leaves, oil, or standing water.

Which surface do you think is the most slippery to walk on? ›

Ice: As LiveScience explains, it's not the smoothness of ice that makes it slippery, but the thin layer of water that forms on the surface as the ice melts. Liquid water has less friction than the solid ice beneath it, making icy surfaces naturally slippery.

What place is most likely to be slippery? ›

A road in a shaded area is most likely to be slippery in cold weather after snow or rain. This is because the shaded area prevents direct sunlight from reaching the road making.

What is a common situation where slips trips and falls occur? ›

Wet and Uneven Surfaces

By far the most common cause of slip and fall accidents globally is due to wet and uneven surfaces. In this country, they account for 55% of all of these types of accidents. Walking can be hazardous, in other words, particularly if the following situations are present: Loose floorboards.

How do you make a slippery floor safe? ›

1. Use slip-resistant rugs or mats: Place rugs or mats with non-slip backing near the sink, stove, and other high-risk areas to provide traction and absorb any spills. 2. Clean up spills immediately: Promptly clean up any spills or food debris to prevent them from creating slippery surfaces.

What is the best way to prevent getting on a slippery road surface? ›

Slippery Surface Skids
  1. Slow down as you approach intersections and curves. For sharp curves, slow down as you approach and move through.
  2. Avoid fast turns and quick stops.
  3. Shift to low gear before going down a steep hill.
  4. Avoid areas like ice patches, wet leaves, oil, or standing water.

How do you not slip on wet surfaces? ›

Walk safely on wet, icy and slippery surfaces
  1. Wear slip-resistant footwear that has good traction. ...
  2. Take shorter steps at a slower pace on icy pavement.
  3. Hold onto the handrails when using stairs.
  4. Keep your hands free to catch yourself if you start to fall.
  5. Use a cart and take the elevator when carrying large items.
Nov 8, 2022

What is the best way to walk on a slippery surface? ›

Wear footwear that has good traction. Avoid shoes with smooth soles when conditions are rainy or icy. Take shorter steps at a slower pace when walking on wet, dark or icy pavement that may be slippery. Hold onto the handrails when using stairs.

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