Slip risks at this busy time of year – tis the season!
This year GripClad has experienced an increased interest and demand for our anti-slip flooring materials in both the private and the public sectors.
Assessing risk in public places such as shopping centres can be tricky as these places tend to be busy all year round, especially during the festive season. This time of year also brings hazards with snow, sleet, rain and high footfall.
Slip hazards are everywhere, and more often than not, they are only discovered when an accident occurs!
How many have said; “We need to get that stair area sorted” or “That walkway needs to be made much safer!”? Very often it is put on the back burner, for a ‘wait and see’ if it is absolutely necessary.
GripClad only offer long term solutions and not a quick fix. We have anti-slip pedestrian products that people use all year round, even in December when footfall increases four-fold.
Whether you’re assessing risk on stairways, entrance steps, ramps, walkways – those who are responsible for the ensuring the safety of shoppers, visitors, commuters or staff during the festive season should think carefully to see if there are suitable anti-slip solutions adequate for the kind of high footfall you are expecting.
GripClad’s retro fit anti-slip covers have a design life in excess of 15 plus years. These can be fitted in minutes and walked on immediately, providing little downtime and an immediate positive safety enhancement.
Prevention is better than cure
It is not against the law not to have implemented any kind of anti-slip preventative measures, but should someone have an accident either by slipping or tripping with no preventative measures in place then the person or company responsible for that access will be liable.
Of course, prevention is better than cure, but we do receive many enquiries for our products AFTER someone has had a nasty slip accident, with some who have been put out of action long term, not just a twisted ankle!
In some cases, companies deem their risk assessment to mean waiting to see how many people will suffer bad slips, falls or injuries before they decide to take action to try to prevent incidences in the future.
One of the main reasons for “putting this off” is always going to be down to one fact: COST.
So, we would urge you to consider these wise words from John Ruskin:
“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money…that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the things it was bought to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot…it cannot be done, if you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run.
And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for the something better.”
If you feel that you need to improve and enhance the safety of your walkway and step areas, then contact us on 023 8040 6796.
Alternatively, there is always the “wait and see what happens” approach. In the meantime, have a safe festive period!