Ceramic Tiles: How to Prevent Deadly Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents!

Slips and falls are the second leading cause of accidental death and disability world wide- second ONLY to car accidents-Fact!

On a rainy day, the entrance way of every store and office becomes a danger zone – for customers and staff. Every marble floor that’s just been mopped, every kitchen in every restaurant or school cafeteria, every bathtub in every hotel, every washroom/toilet floor with a few drops of water–all of these places and more are danger zones.

“When you slip, you slip on a floor, and lose your balance, while a fall is when you move from one level to another.”

Every commercial property or public building – and even private dwellings and bath areas – are faced with this potential liability.

Real Life ClaimsA drinking water fountain at a high street restaurant kitchen malfunctioned and began to slowly leak water out of its base. The facility was aware of this leak and attempted to regularly mop up the water after it collected. The mopping, however, was neglected too long and an employee walked past the drinking fountain, slipped on the water, fell, and broke her neck and suffered a concussion. The facility made several mistakes in this situation including not placing appropriate signs near the water, not getting it fixed promptly, and failing to perform the routine mopping.

Why are wet floors slippery? 

Most ceramic tiles are not manufactured to be slip resistant in wet conditions. In order to obtain a high shine on the floor, the tiles are doubled or even triple fired during the manufacturing process. The result of this glazing process is that the natural pores in the tile are covered over, and thus any water of other liquid on the surface of the tile has nowhere to go, resulting in hydroplaning. All tiles, even ones classified as slip resistant or anti slip, lose their natural traction over time, a phenomenon

known as polymerization. Polymerization is the built up that occurs when microscopic particles

of alkaline residue, together with microscopic particles of grease and soil, lodge themselves in the pores of mineral surfaces. Over time the deposits harden and form crust that fills up the pores, blocking up the exit routes the water uses to flush out from underfoot.

If a ceramic or quarry tile is cleaned with an alkaline or neutral cleaner for a period of time (research has shown that a vast majority of the neutral and citrus cleaners that are available are alkaline based), the microscopic particles of soda ash residue will lodge themselves into the natural cervices in the tile, attracting and bidding microscopic particles of grease and soil. Over time, this process will effectively smooth out the surface of the tile, resulting in loss of traction when the tile is wet.  

The Solution: - Trusty-Step No.1001,How the treatment works. 

And because slip, trip and fall accidents are

waiting to happen... Prevention is the KEY!

Trusty-Step No.1001 floor and bathtub treatment is the solution to slipping on wet, slick tiled floors. Our amazing patented product is made in Boston, USA and registered/approved in Nigeria by (Standard Organisation of Nigeria) SON for use on ceramic tiles as well as many other hard mineral surfaces. It is not a coating; Trusty-Step No.1001 microscopically etches an invisible tread design into the top layer of quarry/ceramic tiles, marble, granite, porcelain, terrazzo, concrete or bottom of bathtub/ jacuzzi or shower floor etc thereby increasing the co-efficient of friction on the surface being treated,

no chemical remains on the surface only foot traffic wears down the tread design that has been etched in the tile. The anti-slip features will be effective for a minimum of 4 years depending on traffic patterns and proper cleaning practices.   

Our product does not alter the appearance, texture or colour of the surface being treated. No change from your normal cleaning products or routine. Now when a person walks on the wet floor, the pressure of their foot forces the liquid into the pores so that the person actually walks on the tile rather than aquaplaning on the liquid.

*About surface types, materials, textures:

Shiny versus Matte, Glazed versus Unglazed, Wet versus Dry, Light versus Dark, Rough versus Smooth, and Hard versus Soft… there are many things to consider when trying to better understanding ceramic tile. There are many myths concerning slip-resistance of different surfaces. 

1. It is often thought that a matte glazed surface will be slip-resistant. This is not true. Even rough glazed tiles can be slippery when wet, if not treated with anti-slip treatment chemicals.

2. Everyone wants easy cleaning tiles but they are willing to trade some of the ease of cleaning for greater slip-resistance and safety. Even to buy a slip-resistant tile initially is to trade some of this ease of cleaning. 

3. The objective is to find a middle ground; to choose a tile with acceptable target qualities. To find a point where it is acceptable for cleaning and maintenance and no longer slippery. It’s not a question of shiny versus matte or even shiny versus dirty. The alternative is treating a glazed tile. It can still leave it more cleanable and slip-resistant than if an unglazed tile or a slip-resistant tile was initially selected for the floor.

HOW MUCH DOES A SLIP FALL COST?

We would be using verifiable statistics and data from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. It is facts that slip and fall happens throughout the world. Gladly Nigeria is not left out as she recently passed a bill on OSHA in March, 2013 and very recently a Senator raised the motion on Occupational Health

and Safety Act on the floor of the Senate. It is worthy of note that Lagos State is the ONLY state in the federation with a dedicated Health and Safety enforcement agency. (LSSC).

Wet or damp floors are not the only cause of slip, trip and fall accidents within any facility. Clutter, footwear and improper cleaning can also cause hazards for both employees and building occupants alike. In fact, according to reports, 50 percent of facility accidents can actually be attributed to the type of flooring used. Regardless of cause, these accidents can cost facilities big bucks in unemployment and liability claims.

Slips, trips and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips and falls account for 15 percent of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. 

$Dollars and Cents

According to the 2006 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, the annual direct cost of disabling occupational injuries due to slips, trips and falls is estimated to exceed $11 billion. The Index reports that falls on the same level are the second most costly occupational injury (estimated annual cost of $6.7 billion), just behind overexertion. It also shows that bodily reaction, which comprises injuries from slipping or tripping, is the third highest injury category, followed by falls to a lower level ($4.6 billion).

“The average cost from slip and falls is $22,800 per accident,”“The average worker’s compensation claim is $19,000.”

These numbers often account for medical costs alone, a hefty fine for an accident that could have been prevented. If an employee has an accident, managers must also factor in potential replacement workers, the salary of the unemployed staff member, restricted duty for that person, etc. 

If a building occupant or visitor has an accident, there is no limit to what fees (medical, legal, etc.) companies will be responsible for. Those costs add up quickly.

 The Health and Safety Commission in the UK identified slips and trips as one of eight priorities. The reason they account for the highest number of major injuries and occur across all industry sectors. In the manufacturing and service sectors, they are the most frequent cause of non-fatal major injuries.

 In Canada, slips and trips are classified as “falls on the same level.” Workers’ Compensation boards reported 32,337 time-loss injuries in 2001.* Slips are the third largest category for time-loss injuries, and a significant number are slip-falls.

Excerpt from Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)A.D.A. Accessibility Guidelines (Appendix 4.5.1)Pertaining to Ground and Floor Surfaces The USA Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) currently recommends that the static COF be at least 0.5 for all walkway surfaces under both wet and dry conditions. The Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends the dry static COF of 0.6 on any flat or horizontal surfaces both wet and dry, but 0.8 for any inclined or ramp areas.

COF is defined as the friction force opposing sliding motion divided by the force normal to the surface.

People walk differently (most people demand a consistent COF of between 0.25 - 0.3 walking normally) Long fast strides demand a higher friction. Although slippery surfaces or steep slopes provide low COF, we often perceive the potentially dangerous floor, shorten our stride and walk slowly. Including the presence of contaminants a 0.4 COF should be demanded for safety. Trusty-Step invisible solution increases the coefficient of friction above legal limits.

 The potential business liability for slip-falls is high. Slips are not only a problem for workers. Customers and even the general public can also be at risk. Fortunately, the basic precautions are simple and cost effective: - a cleaner, dry walking surfaces and proper footwear.

Don’t let your health slip away...take the right step with Trusty-Step.

Please contact; Precious Water Care Ltd, the Master Distributor of Trusty-Step Anti-slip chemicals in Nigeria and Senegal on 0705 305 3000, 0814 047 7605 or email;precioustek@hotmail.com today for a free no obligation floor evaluation, demonstration or estimate. A member of our staff will be happy to assist you.

SLIP FALL STATISTICS:

Over 540,000 Slip-Fall injuries, requiring hospital care, occur in North America each year.

o Slip-Falls account for over 300,000 disabling injuries per year in North America.

o One in three serious bone breaks for seniors result in death, within one year of the accident.

o Slip-Falls account for over 20,000 fatalities per year in North America i.e. 55 persons per day.

o It is the second leading cause of accidental death and disability after automobile accidents.

o Slips and falls are the number one cause of accidents in the home and workplace 30% of all reported

injuries.o Slip-Falls kill more workers than all other combined forms of workplace accidents.

o Slip-Falls are the number one cause of accidents in Hotels, Restaurants and Public Buildings; 70% occur

in flat and level surfaces.o Slip-Falls are the leading cause of death in the workplace and the source of more than 57% of all disabling

injuries.o Slip-Fall accidents account for 30% of all reported injuries.

o There are social burdens related to this problem, including Worker’s Compensation claims over $1.8 Billion year – i.e. 40% of all accidents claims paid out. Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance Rates are increasing on the average of 30% per year.

o The focus should be on prevention, not compensation.

o The total expense resulting from slip-fall injuries alone is a $100 million per day problem.

o Insurance rates are increasing on average of 30% per year.o Slip falls account for forty per cent of general-liability claims relate to slip and fall.o Statistic Sources: National Safety Council, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ADA, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance

Board, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Workers Compensation Board, CMHC, American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), Canadian Injury Prevention Foundation, Health Canada, B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, Smart Risk, International Sanitary Supply Assoc. (ISSA).

Employment Opportunities!

The numbers don’t lie! Businesses are struggling and searching for an answer...Every year, there are over 10 million slip-and-fall accidents nationwide; over 540,000 of these result in injuries requiring hospital care. Approximately 300,000 of these falls result in disabling injuries. We provide free installation/application training to new and existing entrepreneurs in the business of building maintenance, contract cleaning, general contracting, plumbing, renovating, tile distribution, tile installations, or anyone providing sales and service to the commercial and private sectors are potential installers.Trusty-Step No.1001® Anti-Slip treatments are ideal for ceramic tile, porcelain tile, granite, marbles, bathtubs/shower floors and concrete floors etcCommercial / Public building will appreciate a safer footing on their customer floor areas, entranceways, patio and pool deck surrounds, and ensures ongoing peace of mind slip/fall protection, while dramatically decreasing their slip/fall accident claims.Residential clients will appreciate that Trusty-Step® even works on steel-enamel bathtubs to prevent slip/fall accidents – especially for seniors /elderly with difficult mobility issues.

Work, live and play safe. Avoid potential litigation. Fulfil your duty-of-care and protect your hard earned profits.

Abiodun Odumosu,MD/CEOPrecious Water Care LtdMaster Distributors of Trusty-Step Products (Nigeria & Senegal),111A Allen Avenue, Opp. Alade MarketIkeja, Lagos. NigeriaEmail;precioustek@hotmail.com0705 305 3000, 0814 047 7605.