All walking surfaces will degrade over time. Variations as small as ¼” can cause someone to trip and fall. In many manufacturing plants, the floors are concrete, which can develop cracks and potholes. In facilities where the floor is coated (like a food plant), watch for the coating to chip or wear down. 

Wet processes, dry material accumulation, and spills can all cause floors to be slippery. Note that keeping floors dry isn’t always possible (e.g., in plants where wet processes are used). In these cases, we recommend solutions like texturized floor finishes, raised grates, and absorbent matting. Dry contaminants, like dust, shavings, and even sugar, can be kept from becoming hazardous via good housekeeping. And spills should always be cleaned up immediately. 

Finally, evaluate your cleaning methods, especially in facilities with a variety of floor surfaces. A common mistake is to use one type of cleaner or cleaning method for all surfaces. This simplifies purchasing but is probably not the best strategy for eliminating slip, trip, and fall hazards. We recommend turning to your suppliers for cleaning advice.