No matter what business you’re in, safety is a priority for you. All businesses have employees, who must be protected from undue hazard, so as to maintain a happy, healthy and productive workplace. Most businesses also see client visitation; infrequently, such as when a client comes in to tour a manufacturing facility, or frequently, in the case of retail. All of these individuals must be kept safe, and the type of flooring you choose can have a huge impact on their safety.
In areas which see substantial foot traffic, it is essential to have floors with anti-slip qualities. This is especially true of sections that see substantial spillage; near soda fountains, by sinks, or in zones using liquid as part of a manufacturing process. Tripping is as problematic as slipping; if your flooring is in disrepair, cracks, uneven surfaces, and other abnormalities can be dangerous.
Damaged flooring can also decrease the air quality of your business, at the risk of the respiratory and general health of those in your building. Materials that create dust when abraded can enter into the lungs, and flooring with volatile organic compounds(VOC) can cause ongoing health problems if regularly absorbed. Durable, VOC-free material should be used if an area has high foot traffic, and all flooring should be repaired as soon as possible.
In our increasingly digital business landscape, electrostatic discharge (ESD) is of serious concern. ESD occurs regularly in day-to-day life; it is the sudden flow of electricity between two differently charged objects, so an event as big as lightning or as miniscule as an static shock. Many ESD events are so small-scale as to be imperceptible to humans; these same events, however, can have a profoundly negative effect on sensitive electronics. Flooring can carry a charge, so it’s important to find flooring that is able to mitigate the effects of ESD, often by allowing the electricity to flow through it to a safe point.
Coloured flooring as another practical solution to common safety concerns. Uniform, bright coloured flooring can be used to make it easy to spot dropped or fallen items, thus reducing the chances of tripping. Colour can also be used to segment one area from another, helping to avoid cross-contamination in the food and beverage industry, or denoting areas where vehicle traffic is impermissible in the industrial field. Patterns and colours can also be used to create pathing to improve the flow of foot and heavy machine traffic; this reduces the chance of collision.
Are you looking for an epoxy flooring Winnipeg installer? TCF will be ready to answer all of your flooring safety questions. Each business has its own specific hazards and risks which can be mitigated by use of the right flooring; changes in the flooring’s structure, the sealant and additives used, and its appearance can all help your business be a safer place.
