Jan - as you rightly point out, the usual types of warning cones or small sandwich boards do pose a tripping hazard. Over the years I've had quite a number of reports of such accidents from my employer's schools and other premises. The snag with almost any type of physical warning device is that it can pose a tripping hazard for unwary/distracted people. Also, they're extra items for cleaning staff to carry and locate as and when necessary. During training sessions my colleagues and I advocate that cleaners should be encouraged to say something brief like "careful - wet floor" to persons approaching the areas where they're mopping. Call it the "larynx method" if you wish. Okay, it's not foolproof because cleaners can't be expected to see each and every person who approaches where they're working.

It's also important for cleaners to try to blot/remove excess moisture from floors after mopping them so as to avoid leaving floors which remain unduly wet and slippery for unwary persons. This aspect almost certainly forms part of HSE's advice about slips & trips.

Floor mopping is a very good scenario for discussion during training sessions about risk assessment & management for my employer's headteachers and other managers. Such sessions invariably cover the principles and practices of hierarchy of controls. Therefore, it's good to report that during each session several trainees usually suggest that floor mopping and its risks could and should be wholly eliminated where feasible by having carpets fitted. This measure, where practicable, comprises the preferred top end of the hierarchy for floor mopping while warning signs with their various shortcomings sit at the hierarchy's lower end.

However, where mopping can't be avoided perhaps one or more small lightweight poles with a small flashing low intensity light on top might be more effective than a purely passive warning cone or board. If such devices aren't available, perhaps it's time someone started producing and selling them. Either way, such devices should be devised or modified so that their flashing lights are not visible from all directions. If I were a cleaner and had to use such a device with a light flashing in all directions, I'd find the flashes highly irritating and be inclined to mask part of the light unit to help preserve my sanity!

Graham
Your'e an amazing dude like. Just wish you'd cut the words doon a bit. I naar you wont, and neebody else'll want you to, but it loses me sometimes.

me attention span is fine - I just get bored easily

Nee - your capacity to be bored perhaps proves one of the creature comparisons claimed for myself on Barrie (Badger) Etter's topic "An early Xmas Friday posting" namely a boar (able to bore people on this forum) - or does it? One summer doesn't make a swallow and all that. :-)

As for the main topic I've been doing some more thinking about improvements to warning devices: Forget my earlier suggestion about a device with a continually flashing light. How about one which incorporates a infra-red detector (like those for burglar alarms or security lights) and emits a suitable audible signal if it detects someone approaching? This might even attract the attention of anyone gawping at their mobile as they approach a wet floor area. Also, if there is a cleaner in the vicinity, the audible signal could also alert him/her and give them the option of telling whoever is approaching that the floor is slippery.

Does anyone know if such a device is already available? If not, I might even pursue developing one myself. (I might have ample time for this soon as my job may be at risk. My boss has recently rumbled my super forum user status and thinks it suggests that I've spent too much time with this forum instead of working for our employer!)

bilbo - thanks I'll do an internet search for audible warning devices when I've got some spare time.

Also, if messages can be recorded on such devices, it would be interesting to think of possible ones for safety or other purposes. Nee could even offer to do safety messages in his local accent (Geordie/North East?)

Also, if such devices already exist, I'd better forget about going on Dragon's Den to ask for some dosh and support in developing them. Even if I were to do so, I'd probably struggle and appear a complete wazzock as soon as the Dragons start to ask about the financial aspects!

Ade67 - excellent information which prompts the question: Do any forum users know of any premises in the UK or elsewhere where 'talking kones' are used and with what results? If so, they'll almost certainly answer the original topic question.

Their was a company that produced audio warning devices ( Motion detect activation) that you placed on top of cones. This would assist people with visual difficulties as well as others who decide to use their mobile phones (texting) while walking in the area.
on that subject of visual difficulty we actually had an incident when a person tripped over a Cone as they exited the toilet. Where was this ? The Eye Hospital!
Their is debate around where you place any signage in relation to the mopping activity going on.
Carpets are now reduced significantly in Healthcare settings due to risks of Infection.