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Posted By grahams
I have had a couple of incidents reported where people are telling me they have slipped on wooden decking material. These are when the product gets wet. Has anyone had a similar problem or come up with a solution.
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Posted By A Campbell
Never slipped on mine... Is it smooth wood or grooved/slatted (provides extra grip)?
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Posted By grahams
It's grooved
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Posted By Sally
I've never come across it in a work scenario but I do know a couple of people who have slipped on home decking. In both cases there was a build up of some sort of algae causing it to be slippy when wet. In actual fact the grooves are no less likely to be a slip hazard, what makes the difference is the surface roughness of the bit the foot makes contact with.
Have you looked at the HSE slips site, it has loads of info on slips in general but I'm not sure if it has anything on decking in particular
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Posted By Dave Merchant
Sunlight were fined for a similar incident, where diesel on wooden decking caused a broken ankle (see HSW Apr 2009 p4).
Grooved decking, either wood or metal, is NOT a non-slip surface unless you're wearing shoes that have a tread pattern capable of interlocking with the grooves (i.e. your shoes have spikes). All normal sole tread blocks sit on the peaks of the grooves, so the area of contact is microscopic. You're often better on smooth surfaces instead of grooves or checkerplate, but if the surface is *supposed* to be non-slip you need a proper grit-bonded material.
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Posted By Colin Reeves
If the timber is kept clean then there should be no problem. In fact, until timber got too expensive, it was the material of choice for non-slip purposes on board ships - a damp environment if there ever was one!!
However, does need regular scrubbing - Ferrotone was the traditional chemical - now well and truly banned!! Holystones were the other method - a "cruel and unusual punishment" for young seafarers ....
Colin
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Posted By clairel
To be honest I have heard of it being a known problem in both domestic and commercial settings. Worst case is that I have had nursing homes that basically can't use those areas now.
Apparently decking also causes a problem with rats that like to nest underneath it! - but that relates to externa decking.
But that refers to external wooden decking.
I am a little confused as to the context in which you have this wooden decking. Is it an external decked area or something different? If it is internal then I would suggest a different flooring or else anti-slip mats on top. If it's external then nothing to stop it getting wet and so you have to ask whether it's the best surface for that area.
Remember the HSE are running their shattered lives campaign at the moment where they are particuarly picking on slips, trips and falls.
Personally I'd get rid of it - can't stand wooden decking!
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Posted By SBH
Remove all moss, and other surface contamination, jet wash the substrate and apply FK111 fungicidal cleaning solution by stiff brush or broom at a rate of 6-8sqm/l. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes then clean thoroughly with plenty of fresh water and allow to dry DO NOT ALLOW THE FK111 TO DRY!
Coating system:
1) Apply a coat of Liberon clear anti – slip coating at a rate of approx 12sqm/l allow to dry for approx 3hrs
2) Apply a second coat of Liberon Clear anti – slip coating at a rate of approx 12sqm/l allow a minimum of 12hrs before walking on
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Posted By Chris Pope
John Brash make a non slip decking - no other decking of timber will be anywhere near as good. It has grit in some of the grooves. Very expensive.
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Posted By grahams
Thanks to all have replied.
The last response seems my best bet and I will contact them. thanks again.
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Posted By peter gannaway
We found a company in the south west that produce a covering for decking, sorry the name escapes me. It is made to measure, you can either measure the area /steps yourself or they will send someone up to measure for you, All the bits come labeled and are easily fixed into place. We have used it for a external stairway, which was prone to being slippery.
Just make sure the covering doesn't cover the gaps, each plank is fitted individually.
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Posted By Safe System
Would be very interested to find out the name of that company.
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Posted By grahams
Following the responses on non slip decking I did a google search and one company is Colchester based so will contact them if that helps.
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Posted By Andy Stokes
Along with many other countryside organisations, we have long lengths of wooden decking to get visitors out onto wetland nature reserves and across boggy areas. We do have a number of slips each year, but many of the chemical solutions mentioned are not allowed on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as leaching or spillage would damage the environment. many sites are also remote and not staffed on a permanent basis.
Upshot is we leave many to the elements, but don't used grooved boards as they are, as one poster rightly points out, less grippy having less surface area to come into contact with shoes. We have experimented with scrubbers (! - that's powered wire brushes please) and power washing just to roughen the surface. We also add chicken wire where we can monitor it and mend when it becomes loose. Two sites use specialist 'gritty paint' and/or yacht decking paint.
Final option - use recycled plastic instead of wood. Doesn't suffer from algae as much as wood and stays rougher for longer. Also doesn't rot and even the vandals have trouble getting it to burn!
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