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#1 Posted : 26 September 2006 10:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By Booney
Good Morning All,

We will shortly be moving our production facility to a new building for which the floor area is due to be painted imminently; the floor paint has been chosen very carefully to ensure that it meets our requirements (seals the floor, provides a high degree of durability etc.etc.) but the Project Manager has highlighted a potential - and I stress the word potential - problem of slipperiness if/when the floor becomes contaminated.
The potential contamination could be small (drips) of oil and/or water and changing the paint spec/type is not an option.

My dilemma is this: do we take measures to reduce the potential slipperiness by e.g. adding aggregate to the paint in the hope that it may alleviate any potential problem or do we suck it and see?

Proactive or reactive? I have my thoughts but I value your opinions

I keep stressing the word potential because housekeeping is very high priority and all our units are drained & cleaned prior to being worked on but with the best will in the world, spills can and do occur…
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#2 Posted : 26 September 2006 11:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By The toecap
Perhaps, if you identify the more risky areas and paint them with an added slip resistant paint.(Only perhaps though.) Ever thought of an anti slip mat or rubber matting or similar. Or where possible put warning notices up warning of an increased risk. Or better still eliminate all sources of spillage but i guess this isn't possible. Just a few thoughts
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#3 Posted : 26 September 2006 11:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By Booney
Toecap,

thanks for the input, we currently have similar measures in place but the new facility is going to be a much cleaner environment where we have tried to eliminate the possibility of spillages with the use of various control measures but as you say, is a spill-free environment attainable? In practical terms, I think not although any that may occur will be minimal.

What I find most interesting about your reply is that you are suggesting reactive measures which is the essence of my posting

Thanks again for your input
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#4 Posted : 26 September 2006 11:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By Merv Newman
I favour putting grit in the paint. This reduces the level of risk even though it does not entirely eliminate it.

Merv
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#5 Posted : 26 September 2006 11:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Drip trays at work stations and on any handling fixtures used on the shopfloor?
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#6 Posted : 26 September 2006 12:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By AJM
One thing we used in a dyehouse which was wet all the time was something called scrabbling the floor before you paint it this can be doen by yourselves in house just hire the machine it was quite effective. It sort of roughens up the floor in the areas you want it and makes it less slippy. Get in touch if you want any more info.

Alan
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#7 Posted : 26 September 2006 12:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Simon Carrier
A bit of a variation on the above post, if you are moving into a new factory why not have "drip trays" manufactured big enough to take your machinery, ie place the machines inside the trays, this also helps as containment if you have a burst pipe or hose.
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#8 Posted : 26 September 2006 12:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Booney
Ron, Simon

thanks for your response, we drain/clean the units in a separate facility prior to them being brought in to be worked on. We have previously had spillages occur when the units are brought in and opened up to be worked on (residual oil & water in the unit) and have now adopted mobile drain trays located under the units. We have also increased housekeeping - in short, probably done as much as we practically can to reduce the chance of spillages but occasionally, they still occur however, housekeeping in the new unit will be a very high priority.

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#9 Posted : 26 September 2006 13:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
I found the grit type stuff you add to floor paint did not last very long.

Other problem is footewear types. Although I don't wear them to work I find leather soled shoes a bit of a problem.
Assume you are a blanket safety shoe site?
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#10 Posted : 26 September 2006 13:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By Booney
Jim,

interesting comment about the grit but would the durability depend on what aggregate is used?

In answer to your question, yes, the site will be blanket safety footwear

Thankyou for your response
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#11 Posted : 26 September 2006 16:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Morgan Healey
If as you say, the floor coating specified cannot be changed, then I would suggest that you compare the COF value of the paint against a COF value of the floor after it has been applied to a small test area, the values of products do differ after application. If the Slip Test produces a safe reading, you have no problem.

Adding grit to the paint is an option I personally would avoid as there can be a greater slip potential when you pass from a gritted floor to a non gritted section.

Should the Slip Test readings show an unsafe COF then if you are not prepared to change the product you will have to treat the floor after painting with an anti-slip coating, these coatings do not alter the asaethic appearance whatever and come with a guarantee etc.

However saying all this, these tests should have been carried out before committing yourself to the product.

One other thing, if you do carry out COF testing and discover unsafe values. then you are duty bound to put in measures to correct it because you are aware of and have identified an unsafe floor.

Morgan
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#12 Posted : 26 September 2006 16:54:00(UTC)
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Posted By Merv Newman
A clarification : the "grit" I have encountered has been carborundem. This lasts longer than the paint, renders leather soled shoes "non-slip" (sort of) and wears out rubbered soled safety shoes faster than normal.

Merv
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#13 Posted : 26 September 2006 17:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
If you use non slip paint before you put it down the area has to be completely flat, as the grit will sink to the bottom in depressions and you end up with a floor that looks likes it has smooth puddles which are really slippy.

As a contractor found out and was made to take it back up! and relay
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#14 Posted : 27 September 2006 07:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Booney
Many thanks to all for your input, it is much appreciated
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#15 Posted : 27 September 2006 07:54:00(UTC)
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Posted By Phil
Booney,

We have just installed a 3 coat system on top of a bare steel floating pontoon which acts as a staging area for public ferry foot passengers.

The aggregate used is flint and is applied after the base coat. The system can used over any previously painted surfaces, you just choose a base coat that is compatible with your existing surface finish. Its been used for over 6 months now, through some horrendous weather, so Im sure it could do a job for you indoors. We've had no "where there is blame there is a claim" issues, and the pontoon is situated in the claim capital of the universe, so we are happy!!

Phil
Macksmith  
#16 Posted : 18 April 2016 07:02:01(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Macksmith

People can slip on wet floors or trip over electrical cords. Avoid wet mopping, vacuuming or using a floor polisher during busy times. Use floor cleaning materials in accordance with Slab leak Charleston ,they provide you best materials.
HSSnail  
#17 Posted : 18 April 2016 08:37:56(UTC)
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HSSnail

No sure of the value of responding to a 10 year old post - but welcome to the Forum Macksmith.
Tigers  
#18 Posted : 18 April 2016 15:29:54(UTC)
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Tigers

We had a similar situation in our local 'covered' market hall, but by sealing the floor we opened up a new can of worms in that condensation formed puddles when it rained and this was exacerbated by a rising water table. We gritted but this, as stated earlier only made things worse as once worn some areas became more slippery. We asked the HSE in to conduct some testing all this did was to confirm what we already knew. We are still working on a solution, which may include a scrubber dryer.
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