Non slip floor products can help to derail one of the many potential hazards that businesses must deal with. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, as much as 50% of slip and fall accidents are a result of flooring problems. The first step to deterring floor hazards is to develop a floor safety plan that includes procedures for keeping floors clean, a warning cone procedure and slip floor testing.

The next step is to add a non-slip coating to all potential hazardous floors that fail the slip floor test. Business owners should strongly consider using non slip floor coating in the following ways:

1. Apply non slip coating to the floors in your restaurant to prevent accidents.

2. A non slip floor wax in gym bathroom and on spa floors will help to keep water from making floors slick.

3. Give warehouse machinery better maneuverability by adding non-slip floor coating.

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Use non slip flooring in your restaurant

Restaurants can be a hazardous place to both employees and customers. The food preparation produces galley floors covered in liquids and grease. Additionally, if your dining room has tile flooring, there is more potential for slips and falls. While rugs are helpful, they sometimes aren't enough. It's a good idea to coat your restaurant floors with a permanent non-slip agent or install non slip flooring instead of everyday tile.

I recommend: SureGrip Floor Systems’ success stories provide great examples of restaurants using floor coating to eliminate slips and falls. Visit the National Floor Safety Institute for a list of non slip floor coating manufacturers that have passed its certification program.

Prevent falls in gyms and spas with slip resistant floor coatings

Gym members use showers to clean up after a workout. Wet shower and bathroom floors can lead to falls. Spas have a variety of treatments that produce steam, which settles on floors, making them slick and increasing the risk of a customer slipping. Floor mats would only stay wet, causing mold and unsanitary conditions. The best option is to use a slip resistant floor coating specially made for wet floors.

I recommend: New Pig offers waterborne epoxy with grit designed especially for wet floors. Visit Maintex for tips on checking the safety of your floors.

Provide traction in a warehouse with non slip floor coating

High-traffic walkways and aisles in warehouses and factories can become fall hazards from various particles that individuals track in. Additionally, it can be difficult for warehouse machinery, such as forklifts, to gain traction on smooth floors like concrete. Use rubberized floor coatings for walkways to not only prevent falls but also to make the surface softer and easier on employees who are on their feet a lot. Use do-it-yourself non slip floor paint to add traction to smooth floor surfaces.

I recommend: Diamond Safety Concepts provides full details regarding its rubberized Ultra-Tuff safety coating. Find uses, preparation and application instructions for non slip floor paint from Interstate Products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many non slip flooring products are a do-it-yourself fix. You simply buy the product, mix it and apply per the provided instructions. However, if you feel that the job is too big for you to handle or question your ability to do it correctly, it's best to hire a company to do the work for you.

Slippery floors are a hazard to any business. Add wet conditions or potential spills and you've multiplied the risk to your employees, equipment and customers. Non slip floor coating can help make your flooring safer, regardless of what might get spilled. Slip resistant floor coatings can be used in a wide variety of places to offer more traction and stability.

1. Non slip flooring products like tapes, treads and sprays can be used on stairways and other small or narrow areas.

2. Non slip floor wax can be applied to large areas to combat slippery, wet conditions.

3. Non slip flooring, such as rugs, mats and other treads, can be placed over non slip flooring coating to provide extra protection.

Depending on the slip resistant floor coatings that you use, you can have it professionally applied or do the work yourself. With non slip floor coatings, you'll provide better protection for your business and employees against slips and falls, which can result in employee time missed and broken equipment.

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Assess where you need non slip floor products

Non slip floor coating is useful in many spots, including stairwells, porous surfaces, bathrooms and areas that get wet frequently. Walk around your business location and assess where non slip floor wax or other products could make your business more safe. Ask managers and employees on the ground what areas get slippery or need extra traction for safety.

I recommend: Safe Way Traction has non slip tapes and step treads for smaller areas that need protection. Eco Safety Products has non slip floor coating for inside and out, including for kitchens, decks, steps and warehouse floors.

Examine the options in non slip floor products

You'll find a range of products on the market, such as rubberized floor coatings, non-slip paint and non slip rugs. If the area will see heavy traffic, including equipment, you'll want to make sure that the coating you choose is designed for tough conditions.

I recommend: Interstate Products has non slip floor coating for high traffic areas, including those with heavy equipment.

Decide whether to apply the product yourself or hire a professional

Before tackling the job yourself, make sure that you understand the process and are confident that you can handle it. For large areas, sensitive areas or products that require special application processes, hire someone knowledgeable to do the job.

I recommend: Watch the application video to learn how to apply Seal Krete's non slip coating.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In most cases, you'll need to make sure your floor or steps are clean, dry and free from chemicals before applying a non slip coating. Failing to follow the guidelines for application can result in the product not applying properly to the floor.

Non-slip floor coating is a great addition to any business that deals with wet or slippery floors on a regular basis. These products provide a textured, rubber-like coating to an otherwise smooth and slip conductive surface. Restaurant owners use them on non-carpeted floors, such as the server galley, to prevent employees from falling. Gyms and spas, where there is an excessive accumulation of liquids, keep their patrons safe with a non-slip floor finish. Traction in a warehouse or industrial setting can help where there are oil spills.

The non-slip flooring products available abound in style, color and application technique. Therefore, you can adapt them easily to any environment and still maintain professional quality and appearance for your business location. Keep in mind non-slip floor coating pricing and costs as you consider which product to purchase. Consider the following options:

1. Use spray-on non-slip floor coating for smaller areas.

2. Purchase roll-on non-slip flooring products in bulk for large jobs.

3. Implement a non-slip flooring additive to regular paint products.

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Compare prices for spray-on non-slip floor coating

Spray on non-slip coating would be ideal for applying to showers, saunas, Jacuzzis, hand rails and other small areas. It's a great idea to have these on hand so you can simply grab them and apply the coating to locations as you see an immediate need. Most are available for indoor and outdoor use and dry within a matter of hours.

I recommend: No Skidding offers Anti-Slip Textured Epoxy Sprays in five different colors for $12 to $19. One of their 12 ounce cans covers approximately 24 square feet. As a comparison, Lab Safety Supply has 15 ounce RUST-OLEUM Anti-Slip Aerosols for $15.50 to $16.50.

Acquire gallons of non-slip floor paint for large surface areas

Industrial warehouses or distribution centers that deal with machinery that may leak or products that may spill have a large need for non-slip floor coating. Thankfully, you can purchase these products in bulk very easily, typically receiving a discount on the per item cost the more you order.

I recommend: Eco Safety Products offers non-toxic, low odor rubberized non-skid safety coating in 20 colors for just over $400 for a five gallon bucket. Durbak has several colors for $90 to $120 per gallon.

Apply a non-slip coating additive to your regular paint

If you're in the building or renovating process for your business, it may be a good time to put in the non-slip coating you may need later. One option that may save you some money is to purchase additives for regular floor paint to get the slip resistance you need in specific areas, while maintaining a consistent color. It's also beneficial because most non-slip floor coating manufacturers only provide a select number of colors. Using an additive allows you to use whatever color you desire.

I recommend: Consider purchasing H&C Shark Grip additive in cases of 12 for $180 to $190 from New Pig. If you don’t need quite that much additive, Do It Best has one pound tubs for $5.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're looking for a removable product, non-slip floor wax is also available.

Accidents can occur in any work environment. However, you can help reduce the chances for certain types of accidents, such as falls. Falls at your place of business can result in workman's compensation claims and customer lawsuits. To protect both employees and customers, take proactive steps to make sure your floors are as safe as possible. There are many non-skid floor coatings. One is bound to be the right match for your business.

Here are some types of non-skid floor coatings you may wish to consider:

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Anti-slip epoxy paints

Anti-slip epoxy paints can be brushed on or sprayed on for a do-it-yourself solution. This non-skid surface can be applied indoors or outdoors to protect sidewalks, ladders, ramps, showers, loading docks and steps, as well as floors. Some paints can be custom matched to your floor colors. Others come in standard color options.

I recommend: You can read more about various types of epoxy paints at Interstate Products.

Spray-on polyurethane

Spray-on polyurethane provides excellent protection from slips and falls. It can be applied with either high or low pressure equipment. It is a good choice for stairs, floors and walkways, and it also helps reduce noise in your place of business.

I recommend: Learn more about spray-on polyurethane at the Rhino Linings website.

Rubberized floor coatings

Rubberized floor coatings are used for handicap ramps, food preparation areas, restroom floors, veterinary clinics, water parks and many other businesses that need non-slip flooring. Rubberized coatings come in a wide variety of colors. They are non-toxic, non-flammable, durable and able to withstand severe weather.

I recommend: Eco Safety Products offers Rubberized floor coatings.

Floor safety tape

One type of floor safety tape glows in the dark to provide safety at emergency exits, stairways or ramps in the event of a power failure. Another type is especially designed for wet surfaces such as pools, boats and hotel bathtubs. A third type of floor safety tape is made with course grit to provide protection in industrial areas or machine shops.

I recommend: Learn more about the many varieties of floor safety tape at No Skidding Products.

Slip-resistant commercial flooring

Slip-resistant commercial flooring is made from recycled vinyl. It is waterproof, mildew resistant and flame retardant. It is a good floor choice for any building entrance, and is often used throughout businesses such as cafeterias, ice rinks, gymnasiums and automotive service garages.

I recommend: Oscoda Plastics offers slip-resistant commercial flooring.

Non-slip floor wax

Non-slip floor wax is an easy, inexpensive, do-it-yourself way to make your floors safer. If your business has vinyl, linoleum, rubber or tile floors, non-slip floor wax may be a solution to consider.

I recommend: Read about non-slip floor wax at the AG Lock & Hardware website.