Following an investigation of a slip (and burn) accident in the bakery of a major supermarket chain store, the company was required to improve the slip resistance of the bakery floor. The investigation, undertaken with the assistance of the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), established that the terrazzo floor tiles in the bakery did not have an adequate friction coefficient in wet conditions. The risk of slips was high when the floor was contaminated with liquids. The same floor tiles were used in the public areas of the supermarket.
The company was already aware that the terrazzo tiles were slippery in wet conditions, but failed to take any action. They had been advised of this problem by another LA about a year before, again following confirmation tests by HSL. The same floor tiles are currently used in many of the company’s other outlets; this particular type of floor tile is a 'standard specification' in their new store roll out programme. The relevant LOPP Partner was made aware of the issue.
The LA advised the company that they should not continue to specify the use of terrazzo tiles for their bakery floors. The company has since investigated a number of options including acid etching treatments on the tiles. That particular store finally opted to re-lay the floor area with an alternative floor tile which has improved anti-slip characteristics under contaminated conditions.
To date, there is no information as to whether the company has altered the “standard specification” for their new store/refurbishment programme nationally.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) enable LAs to approach clients, such as supermarkets, for whom they are the Enforcing Authority to raise issues such as slips and trips before construction work, whether new build, refurbishment or refitting, takes place to enable potential problems to be resolved at the design stage of the project.
This case study was kindly provided by:
John Theobald
Environmental Health Officer
Commercial Regulation Team,
Swindon Borough Council
Tel: 01793 466160
Fax:01793 466153
email: jtheobald@swindon.gov.uk
Further information may be obtained from John (contact details above)