WATCH YOUR STEP!
Stairs, steps and thresholds are often key high traffic areas in industrial facilities and represent an area of risk when it comes to accidents on-site.
According to the UK Slip Resistance Group, an independent authority which aims to promote a greater understanding of the causes and prevention of slips, 20% of occupational ‘Slip Trip and Fall’ (STF) accidents occur on stairs at the rate of one every 25 minutes! UKSRG set out these guidelines for the construction of stairs to reduce the risk of falls on the stairs; focusing on dimensions, colour, and consistency, as well as handrails, lighting, and cleaning & maintenance.
The guidelines don't directly reference floor coatings, however the choice of flooring coating is vital for the upkeep of health and safety standards.
If stairs are not correctly maintained, they can incur wear & tear over time which can cause an uneven surface and less traction underfoot. Therefore this, along with the fast-paced industrial environments greatly increases the likelihood of accidents.
That's where Vebro Polymers comes in!
Resin flooring’s seamless application helps to eliminate uneven surfaces and trip hazards. Additionally, its customisable nature allows for the incorporation of anti-slip aggregates and textures, enhancing traction and minimising the risk of accidents, especially on stairs and thresholds. The chemical resistance and durability properties of resin flooring also help to reduce the need for frequent repairs, contributing to the overall safety of industrial facilities.
How to tackle the stairs - sneak peak.
- Resin flooring applicators will typically employ a number of specialist installation techniques in order to create a safe finished installation.
- Each step is often coated with a slip resistant resin flooring system with aggregates that give it a textured finish, providing that 'all important' traction underfoot.
- The nosing of steps are tackled in 1 of 2 ways - applicators create a saw-cut in the resin & substrate which allows the installation of the stair nosing. Alternatively, the edging of each step can be taped off and a contrasting colour of epoxy (or PU coating) can be applied to highlight the edging (nosing).
That's it folks!
Vebro Polymers’ high-build coating system, vebrores EP HBC has a slip-resistant sister in vebrores EP HBC SR. Because the core products that comprise each of the two systems are the same, the colours and patina are the same, meaning the ‘risers’ of each step, as well as surrounding areas that call for a smoother finish, can match seamlessly without the need for enhanced texture across the board.
Want more information?
Vebro Polymers offers a number of seamless industrial resin flooring systems that have been designed to meet a whole host of service challenges faced in industrial and manufacturing facilities.
The includes a number of different epoxy and polyurethane resin flooring systems from the vebrores range, as well as a durable MMA quartz system from the vebrospeed range and a number of heavy-duty polyurethane concrete systems from the vebrocrete range for more demanding environments.
If you’re a Facilities Manager, building owner or responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of an industrial unit and you have your own questions about resin flooring, the Vebro team will be happy to help!
Contact the Vebro team in Manchester, UK by dropping an email to hello@vebropolymers.com.
Find out more about Vebro Polymers on their member profile page here
Member-created content 1 year ago | From members