We are proud to share that over 700 of the UK’s Golf Club’s now enjoy the safety benefits of GripClad’s anti-slip products.
Is a ‘rubber crumb’ product a good alternative?
In recent months we’ve had a few enquiries from golf courses regarding the ‘rubber crumb’ flooring solution products similar to those found in playgrounds to stop children injuring themselves when they fall over, and have been asked whether they are a good anti-slip solution to install around golf course walkways and steps.
Rubber Crumb flooring is made by binding rubber with a clear two-part polyurethane resin and then it is set. Although these type of products are a robust to use as outdoor flooring, it is unlikely to last as long as our GRP Panels and Sheets when it comes to use on golf courses.
The main reason for this is due to the shoe spikes on golfing shoes which over time, after many people walking over it, will eventually churn up the rubber crumb, meaning more time and money spent on maintenance!
In addition to the metal spikes you often get on golf shoes, there are also makes that have rubber shoe spikes – you may think then this wouldn’t be a problem on rubber flooring – but actually this could result in the unnecessary risk of slips caused by rubber on rubber (wet rubber + wet rubber = a slippery surface!), making the rubber crumb options not fit for purpose on a golf course.
Another thing to think about if considering a ‘rubber crumb’ flooring solution on your golf course is that you may have to part ways with a golf club staple – your lovely sleeper steps! If you decide on the rubber crumb steps this will mean removing any sleeper steps, whereas our anti-slip solution can easily be fixed to your existing steps.
The rubber crumb flooring solutions are mainly sold as an aesthetic product, rather than an anti-slip surface enhancer, and it’s likely that they will need repair or relaying in the future. And we don’t know about you, but we quite prefer the old sleeper with anti-slip panel look in the GripClad office!
The benefits of GripClad’s GRP Panels & Sheets
Hundreds of Golf Clubs have turned to our GRP anti-slip panels & sheets for a solution to their slip hazards on and around their courses for the long term. We have Golf Clubs that have had our product down for a decade and they still look good as new.
Our anti-slip GRP panels and sheets have seen effective use in a huge variety of locations, walkways, steps, access ramps, entrance ways, footbridges, wash-rooms and pedestrian bridges to name a few.
Our anti-slip sheets and panels are resistant to spiked shoes, weather and chemicals. They can easily be fixed to your existing steps – so no need to replace your sleepers or have the hefty cost of maintaining or replacing rubber crumb!
They are an affordable, non-slip safety product for golf courses, that has been proven to excel over other methods.
Installed as part of your golf club’s health and safety precautions the panels can help avoid slip accidents and potential liability claims.
The only maintenance they need is a wire brush across the surface to remove any build-up of dirt and debris. Once a year should be enough.
Whatever style of anti-slip finish you need they will last and resist wear and tear for many years.
Anti-slip testing
Our anti-slip GRP Panels and sheets have had the HSE recommended tests carried out. The pendulum test consists of a swinging, replica heel made of a standard rubber sole. This swings over a sample area of flooring in both a dry and contaminated state, and in different directions for profiled flooring.
Our standard sheeting, which we recommend for commercial premises, scored 71 when dry and 63 when wet. Our heavy duty sheeting, which we recommend for industrial premises, scored 76 when dry and 70 when wet. A score of over 36 means it has good slip resistance – so our products are very low risk.
Most playground wetpour have a moderate risk of potential slips between 25 to 34.
If you want to find out more about how our GRP products might be installed as an anti-slip solution in your business premises, call us on 023 8040 6796.