Slip Prevention in Wet Areas

According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data from 2013, an estimated 646,000 workers experienced an accident at work. Astonishingly, more than a third of these incidents resulted in injuries that necessitated over three days’ absence from work, with approximately three-quarters of these workers needing to take over a week off. In light of such staggering statistics, have you ever wondered what the root cause of these accidents is? And more importantly, how can you avoid becoming part of this statistic?

More often than not, the culprit is something seemingly innocuous: slips. In the food and drink industry, for instance, slips account for approximately 80% of the reported injuries to the HSE. Alarmingly, 90% of these slips result from wet or contaminated surfaces. Isn’t that a statistic to make you pause next time you step into a wet area?

The sites of these potential hazards aren’t just confined to industrial settings either. Think about common environments where water exposure is inevitable: swimming pools, boats, restaurants, water parks, and supermarkets. All of these settings demand serious considerations for slip prevention, to protect visitors, employees, and even yourself from the potential danger of slips and falls.

But if we can’t always remove the water, how do we make these areas safer?

One might initially believe that keeping the walking areas as clean and dry as possible is an effective safety measure. And, to a certain extent, it is. Keeping areas dry and clean is crucial, not only for hygiene reasons, but also to prevent the growth of algae and mildew, which can further increase the risk of slipping.

However, let me pose a question: can cleanliness alone guarantee safety in wet environments?

The simple answer is: not always. Let’s consider those who take the sensible approach of using textured flooring for walkways that are constantly exposed to water. Although this sounds like an ideal solution, it can fall short. Some of these textured surfaces might not be as effective as you might think, and even with these precautions, there’s still a risk of slipping.

So, what can we do to better equip these wet areas against slip hazards?

The answer lies in using a simple, yet highly effective product: anti-slip tape. This serves as a perfect complement to your existing slip prevention methods, boasting the ability to be applied on any surface that may require additional reinforcement.

“But won’t it be uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet?”, you might ask. This is a valid concern, especially in areas like swimming pools, showers, and water parks. However, non-abrasive anti-slip tape is designed specifically for these situations. Its construction – an embossed PVC, results in a finished product that has a softer feel, so while it retains the peaks necessary to prevent slips, it lacks the sharp minerals that might cause harm to bare skin or damage items of clothing.

Interestingly, the lack of valleys in the material makes non-abrasive anti-slip tapes perfect for areas with stringent hygiene standards. It prevents bacteria from harbouring, and since it doesn’t damage cleaning implements, the tape is remarkably easy to clean.

One more question might linger in your mind: “Is it difficult to apply?” Not at all. Application is as simple as peeling off the backing liner and applying it to a surface which is dry, clean and free from grease. And the best part? It’s ready to use immediately.

In conclusion, anti-slip tape is a versatile, practical, and cost-effective solution for mitigating slip hazards in wet areas. It’s more than just a backup—it’s an essential component of a comprehensive and effective slip prevention strategy. As we go about our daily lives in various environments, let’s remember: safety begins with prevention.

The reason why non-abrasive anti-slip tape will not harm bare feet is down to its construc­tion. An embossed PVC that when finished has a softer feel, so while still having the peaks to prevent slips, lacks all the sharp minerals that would cause damage to skin, items of clothing etc, making it perfect for this kind of application. Non-abrasive anti-slip tapes lack of valleys in the material also make it suitable for areas that have strict hygiene standards. It means bacteria cannot harbour, and it will not damage cleaning implements, so it is very easy to clean.

Application is as easy as peeling off the backing liner and applying it to a surface which dry, clean and free from grease and is ready to use immediately.

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