Does Anti-Slip Grating Really Prevent Falls?
Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common occurrences in the food service industry. Each year, it is estimated that more than 3 million foodservice employees & 1 million guests are injured as the result of a slip-and-fall accident. This staggering number is rising by 10% each year. What is the #1 cause of these slip-and-fall accidents? Wet & dangerous floors.
Sure, there are ways to prevent this such as equipping your facility with appropriate flooring that is mop friendly & wearing slip resistant shoes. However, floor troughs are a vital part of operating a commercial kitchen. Without them, liquid drainage would not be possible. Can floor troughs be paired with grating that will reduce slip-and-falls?
In this article, we’ll detail IMC’s anti-slip grating & how it helps in reducing the number of slip-and-fall accidents. Let’s start.
Model #SGAS – IMC’s Premier Anti-Slip Grating
IMC’s proprietary stainless steel anti-slip grating is Model #SGAS. SGAS is constructed of 1” x 3⁄16” type 304 series stainless steel bars. It is connected by (2) ½” stainless steel rods. Standard spacing between bars is 1″ – an ADA version is available with ½” spacing between bars.
What gives this grating its signature anti-slip property is the surface. The grating surface is machine serrated to provide a true anti-slip surface. Essentially, each bar is deeply grooved to provide a “rough” surface for footwear to cling to. Here’s a closer look at the grating:
Why Consider Anti-Slip Grating?
The answer to this question will come down to assessing your facility. If you are working in an area where the floor is constantly wet, anti-slip grating is almost a necessity. For example, wet floors combined with poor lightning & uneven flooring can spell disaster. Using a rug or mat might be a quick fix, but they eventually get worn out & unsanitary causing numerous replacements.
With anti-slip grating, the chances of having a slip-and-fall accident is reduced dramatically thanks to the deep grooved surface. Pair this with the strength of stainless steel & you have a long term solution.
Any Alternatives to Stainless Steel?
If stainless steel is not something in your project scope or you are working with a budget, there are fiberglass options that exist. Namely, IMC models #PFG & #CH.
PFG is constructed from 1” deep “I” bars & the rough surface provides the perfect traction for walking. CH is made out of a harsher polyester resin with molded squares. The grit surface excels at keeping your footwear planted to the ground.
One of the worst things that can happen in the commercial restaurant environment is a slip & fall accident- especially one that could have been avoided. Anti-slip grating is ultimately the perfect solution to this lingering problem. To learn more about IMC’s grating, click here.