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Posted By Manny
Can anyone provide me with advice on how to reduce the risk of someone slipping on a metal grid stairwell which is open to the elements?
The stairs are a only a slip hazard when icy. I'm not sure if covering the steps with non-slip matting would improve the situation. At the moment we instruct all our staff to ensure that they have one hand free to hold the handrail. We are also considering placing a sign at the top to remind people to use the handrail and make them aware of the potential hazard.
Manny
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Posted By William
Have you considered appointing someone to grit or salt the stairs when the temperature drops to a level when ice could form?
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Sturdy rubber soled footwear would help.
Ray
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Posted By Bennie
I suppose the hand rails are also made of metal that will also ice up and may themselves cause someones hand to slip causing them to fall. Either that or people will be discouraged to hold on as they will be cold. They may also be hurrying if snowing etc.
Is it not possible to enclose the staircase?
As Raymond said - suitable footwear, and proper safety briefing on the stair hazards.
Other than that, use other stairwells in inclement weather?
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Posted By garyh
This made be smile. I have worked for most of my career on chemical plants; these generally have a maze of metal stairs and railings. If it is icy and snowy this can be quite a problem.
The ideal solution - have lots of steam leaks!
Seriously - yes have good footwear (but surely you would anyway?)
Have a system where designated routes are salted when ice is fore cast; ensure people stick to designated routes when icy.
Have salt bins at the top or bottom of stairs; a named person has to salt the steps or aparticular area.
This is easier if you operate a 24/7 shift system; the problem is if you operate "day hours only" - how do you get safely to the workplace to put down the grit??
For years we used to grit our own large chemical site roads - then we contracted it to the council, who efficiently gritted our roads along with the public roads.
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Posted By Exdeeps
Morning,
I would not put non slip mats down. People get used to a level of friction from stairs and if you suddenly increase that friction someone will take a tumble because their shoe stopped faster than they expected.
How about putting a barrier up with a big sign on it saying "ITS ICY, USE ANOTHER ROUTE" top and bottom?
Jim
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Posted By David Bannister
Hi Manny, is this a set of stairs that are in use all the time or is it an emergency route only. If the latter, what is the likelihood of it being needed on a day when there is ice? Suggest low. Then, how likely is someone to slip? Overall risk perhaps lower than perceived.
If a daily route then needs more thought. Are the personnel wearing footwear that is compatible with metal gridding? Are they likely to? If not, then an engineering solution (potentially very expensive) seems to be necessary. Enclosure, relocation.
Another thought - is it possible to replace the stair treads with a different type. Rather than a flat grid, what about ones with raised ridges?
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