Preventing Workplace Hazards
Workplace slips, trips, and falls aren’t just inconvenient - they’re costly, dangerous, and surprisingly common. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips, or falls on the same level accounted for 31% of all non-fatal injuries to employees in 2023/24, making it the most common type of workplace accident. These incidents can lead to severe injuries, lost productivity, and significant financial costs.
Yet, they are also among the most preventable workplace hazards. By choosing the right anti-slip solutions, you can dramatically reduce these risks and create a safer, more productive environment. This guide will help you navigate the wide range of anti-slip products available and select the best solutions for your workplace needs.
Why Anti-Slip Solutions Matter
Beyond the human cost of workplace accidents, slips, trips, and falls come with a hefty financial impact. Direct costs include medical expenses, compensation claims, and potential fines for non-compliance with safety regulations. Indirect costs - such as increased insurance premiums, administrative burdens, and reputational damage - can be even more damaging to your bottom line.
Anti-slip solutions are a proactive and cost-effective way to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with UK safety regulations, including:
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 – Employers must ensure floors are safe and free from hazards.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – Requires risk assessments and preventive measures for slips, trips, and falls.
Protect your workplace with our full range of anti-slip solutions, designed to meet safety standards and reduce accident risks.
How to Choose the Right Anti-Slip Solution
Selecting the right anti-slip product starts with understanding your specific workplace environment and hazards. Consider the following:
Type of Surface and Environment: Different products are designed for different surfaces and environmental conditions:
- Flat Surfaces: Anti-slip tapes, coatings, or floor mats are ideal for flat walkways, entrances, and workstations.
- Stairs and Ramps: Anti-slip stair nosing, panels and treads provide enhanced grip and visibility on staircases and sloped surfaces.
- Walkways and Loading Docks: GRP sheets or open grating are suitable for high-traffic walkways, loading docks, and platforms.
- Load Bearing and Vehicular Areas: Heavy-duty GRP grating or interlocking mats can withstand heavy foot traffic, forklifts, or vehicles.
- Ground Protection in Construction: Ground protection mats are essential for temporary access routes and construction sites, where ground conditions may be uneven, muddy, or unstable.
- Environmental Conditions: Consider if the area is prone to wetness, oils, chemicals, or extreme temperatures, as different anti-slip solutions offer varying levels of resistance and durability.
- Foot Traffic Volume and Load Requirements: High-traffic areas require more durable solutions with high slip resistance ratings. For areas with vehicular traffic or heavy equipment, load-bearing capacity is a crucial consideration.
- Compliance Requirements: Ensure the product meets relevant safety standards, including BS7976.2 for slip resistance and Building Regulations Part M for accessibility and visibility.
Conducting a risk assessment will help you identify hazardous areas and select the most appropriate anti-slip solutions.
1. GRP Anti-Slip Floor Sheets: Durable and Versatile
GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) Anti-Slip Floor Sheets provide an immediate, professional solution for enhancing underfoot safety across a wide range of industries. Designed to cover existing floor surfaces, these durable, slip-resistant sheets offer a fast and effective way to improve safety with minimal downtime or disruption.
- Exceptional Slip Resistance: The carbide-gritted surface delivers industry-leading anti-slip performance in wet, dry, or oily conditions. Fully pendulum-tested to meet the highest slip resistance standards.
- Built to Last: Manufactured from UV-stabilised GRP, these sheets resist rust, corrosion, and chemical damage, offering a service life of up to 10 years in even the toughest environments.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for walkways, ramps, gangways, bridges, and industrial flooring. Designed to meet Building Regulations, DDA requirements, and Equality Act compliance.
- Custom Fit: Use our cutting service to save time and effort on-site, ensuring precise fitment for your project.
- Quick and Easy Installation: Installed with adhesive, screws, or a combination of both, these sheets can be walked on immediately after installation, minimising downtime.
Best For: Industrial sites, walkways, loading docks, bridges, and public areas.
Explore our range of TALONGrip™ Anti-Slip Floor Sheets for heavy-duty, long-lasting slip resistance.
2. GRP Open Grating: All-Weather Durability and Strength
TALONGrip™ GRP Open Grating is a highly durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional flooring materials like steel, aluminium, or wood. Constructed from lightweight, corrosion-resistant fibreglass, this moulded composite grating provides exceptional slip resistance and long-term reliability, even in demanding environments.
- Exceptional Durability: GRP material is resistant to corrosion, rust, and chemicals, ensuring a service life of 10+ years with minimal maintenance.
- All-Weather, All-Environment Solution: Designed to perform in wet, dry, and oily conditions, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Superior Slip Resistance: Tested to BS7976.2 standards, achieving an "Extremely Low" pedestrian slip risk in wet and dry conditions and a "Low" risk in oily or greasy areas.
- Lightweight and Easy to Install: The fibreglass construction is easy to handle and install with minimal disruption. Optional fixing clips are available for added stability.
- Impact Resistant and Non-Conductive: Provides a safe solution for environments where electrical conductivity must be avoided.
- Minimal Maintenance: Cleaning requires only a stiff brush or mild detergent with warm water.
Best For: Platforms, walkways, ramps, industrial flooring, and harsh environments.
Enhance safety with our TALONGrip™ GRP Open Grating for reliable performance in any condition.
3. Anti-Slip Stair Nosing and Treads: Safety on the Edge
Slips and falls on stairs can lead to severe injuries, making anti-slip stair nosing and treads a crucial safety measure.
- Enhanced Grip and Visibility: Provides slip resistance while improving the visibility of step edges.
- Durability and Compliance: Made from high-quality GRP, meeting safety standards and withstanding heavy foot traffic.
- Easy Installation: Quick application with adhesive or screws, available in various sizes and colours.
Best For: Indoor and outdoor staircases, industrial sites, schools, and public buildings.
Discover our TALONGrip™ anti-slip stair nosing and treads for reliable stair safety.
Stay Compliant and Safe with SafetyBuyer
Choosing the right anti-slip solutions is crucial for preventing workplace accidents and ensuring compliance. SafetyBuyer offers a comprehensive range of anti-slip mats for wet, oily, or dry environments, anti-slip tapes and strips for versatile safety applications, stair nosing and treads to improve grip and visibility on stairs, and GRP solutions for long-lasting, heavy-duty slip resistance.
If you need help choosing the right floor safety products, contact us on 0800 043 1061 or explore our range online. We’re here to help you maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
