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Non-slip footwear required - will trainers do?
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#1 Posted : 17 June 2008 08:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mark Eastbourne
Morning

Ok, if a cleaner has to mop a floor with water and a cleaning liquid, there is a Safe System of work in place requiring the cleaner to work backwards and to mop up excess water, but would you need to purchase non-slip PPE?

Are the soles of non-slip footear made from the same substance as soles of trainers? Currently the rules of company are "low heeled sensible shoes or trainers."

Should all cleaners using a mop and soap wear non-slip PPE? I mean, I just don't know if a risk of slippage is likely just due to water on the floor - if a cleaner were to be mopping a floor with grease and oil then that's a diffent story and I would recommend non-slip PPE to be worn, but just a normal corridor...?

I guess I am concerned about setting an unnecessary precedent.

Sorry, I have wittered on, should we go down the safe track and order non-slip PPE forall cleaners?

Many thanks

Mark
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#2 Posted : 17 June 2008 09:50:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brian Hagyard
Mark.

Have a look on the HSE web site, particualy the leaflet " the assessment of Pedestrian Slip risk -the HSE approach".

The surface roughness of the floor will have an impact on its slip risk when wet. Don't forget the cleaner will not just be using water, there will be (I hope) some form of cleaning fluid which will increase the risk.

The HSE have also just released a good report on the performance of different shoe slip resistance - sorry don't have the reference to hand

Regards Brian
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#3 Posted : 17 June 2008 10:42:00(UTC)
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Posted By Konstanty Budkiewicz
Mark,

It may help if you look at the following link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/causes.htm

I note that there is free training being offered to managers.

Kon
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#4 Posted : 17 June 2008 10:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Your efforts should rightly focus on collective measures, i.e. ensuring that the cleaning regime involves "dry mopping" such that other building users aren't placed at undue risk.
Many of our own (historic) incidents involved unsuspecting building occupants!
The method of working away from cleaned sections is a reasonable control too.
I have found particular problems though with some trainer soles. Some of the softer man-made soles can effectively act as a "wick" leading to almost zero slip resistance on a damp, hard floor. This can be an issue where cleaners have to enter and re-enter buildings on wet days.
As for issuing "shoes for crews" or similar to all cleaners - nightmare!
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#5 Posted : 17 June 2008 10:54:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jay Joshi
Refer to:-

http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/manufactfoot.htm


I very much doubt that "ordinary" trainers will have the CoF information, unless you get it tested.
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#6 Posted : 18 June 2008 08:44:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mark Eastbourne
Morning

Just wanted to say thank you for your good advice and sources of information. I have genuinely got a lot out of your responses.

Many thanks ofr taking the time to reply!

All the best,

Mark
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