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Dear
Safety conscious readers
Welcome to part two of six newsletters that I hope will
help give you a better insight of ways you can reduce slip injury
within your business.
I also have some very
exciting news about a new product that has come on the market from
Europe that could be the most impressive solution I have ever seen
to resolving slippy floors, more later
This week I will be
focusing on wooden floors but before I do that I would like to give
you an update of what has been happening in the world of slippy
floors over the last 10 days..
Because of the heavy
showers we keep having in the middle of July (I know..) I have
had a least six companies call me because they are having a bit of
a nightmare, one minute it’s P..ing down the next it’s
70 degrees! This weather plays havoc with the entrances to premises
as the mats never dry out and although people think it’s dry
outside so walk with less care, they pick up the water from the
mats and then walk it on to the dry smooth floor and……….whoops over
they go.
What I suggest: Rotate the mats so when it’s dry use a dry mat and
then when it rains put the damp mat back. It’s a little bit
more effort but could save a big headache.
This week’s focus is on wooden
floors.
I think nothing looks
nicer than a real wooden floor, whether you are in a restaurant or
reception the aesthetic effect it can give to a room is without
doubt lovely. But, it has to be maintained and often this means
either a wax or lacquer. Unfortunately combine these two with water
and you have very slippy floor (often when tested it can have the
same slip resistance a piece of glass when wet).
What can be done.
It’s a fact that you have to
create friction to create resistance. I have seen epoxy resins with
large aggregate put down and quite frankly look awful so, here
are two options:
1st: Look for a
polyurethane coating semi gloss with the smallest micro bead
possible – I have seen one made by Junkers it’s ultra mat but a
superb product.
2nd: Look for a floor
polish that can be mopped down, again that encapsulates a micro
bead - this IS more a maintance effort but still very good.
Not as long lasting as a pu but will retain the
aesthetics and create friction.
Always ask for samples to
be sent out, most good contractors will supply this FOC and
if the contarctors local ask for a 2 sq mtr on site trial
FOC.
News:
Last week I was contact
by a company in Germany who are promoting their coatings in the UK.
After a few calls and a face-to-face meeting the product
was very impressive.
To cut a long story short
this product can be applied to:
Stone, wood, laminate,
vinyl, and basically any surface plus it’s certified as low risk
when wet. It can also be coloured and turns a dull worn floor into
a brand new floor and still be anti slip – I am currently after
more data and performing my own tests but so far it’s very very
good………I’ll keep you posted.
Keep safe and have a good
weekend
Kind Regards
Glenn MacLaughlan
Director
0845 643 1317 / 07899
757403
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