Workplace safety is a legal responsibility, a moral duty, and a vital part of risk management for any business operating in the UK. One often-overlooked area that can quickly become a hazard is your flooring. Whether it’s a commercial kitchen, an office reception, or a warehouse, slippery surfaces can lead to serious injuries, costly claims, and breaches of health and safety regulations.
At Slip Safety, we specialise in floor safety treatments and commercial floor cleaning in the UK, helping businesses reduce risk, maintain compliance, and protect both their people and their reputation.
Real Risk of Unsafe Flooring
Many businesses underestimate the danger posed by poorly maintained or untreated floors. In reality, slips, trips, and falls remain one of the most common causes of injury in UK workplaces, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These incidents often occur due to:
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Contaminant build-up (grease, oils, cleaning residue)
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Poor drainage or frequent moisture exposure
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Worn or untreated flooring surfaces
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Lack of appropriate cleaning methods
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Seasonal weather (rain, snow, or mud at entrances)
Even if your floors appear clean, they may lack the slip resistance needed to keep staff, customers, or visitors safe.
What Are Floor Safety Treatments?
Floor safety treatments are specialist services that enhance the slip resistance and hygiene of flooring surfaces. These treatments are applied after professional deep cleaning and may include:
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Anti-slip coatings
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Chemical traction treatments
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Surface texturising or etching
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Protective sealers that resist water and oil
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Maintenance plans that ensure long-term compliance
At Slip Safety, our solutions are tailored to your floor type, environment, foot traffic levels, and existing risk profile. Whether you’re operating a hospitality venue, healthcare facility, retail space, or industrial site, we provide a custom plan to bring your surfaces up to standard.
How Floor Safety Treatments Improve Compliance
UK legislation is clear: employers must ensure that all floors are “suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions.” More specifically, floors must be maintained in a condition that does not expose users to risk, especially from slipping.
Our treatments support your compliance with:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Requires all employers to take reasonable steps to protect employees and others from harm.
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
States that flooring must not be slippery and must be maintained to prevent falls.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Demands proactive risk assessments, especially for high-risk surfaces.
We also perform Pendulum Slip Resistance Testing (BS 7976)—the HSE’s preferred method—to verify whether your flooring meets the recommended safety standard (PTV 36+ in wet conditions for low risk). This testing is a powerful tool for compliance, insurance purposes, and legal defence in case of a claim.
Reducing Risk Through Targeted Treatment
It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a genuinely safer environment. Our floor safety treatments offer practical risk reduction by:
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Increasing underfoot traction even in wet, greasy, or high-traffic areas
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Removing deeply embedded contaminants that create hidden hazards
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Improving visibility of slip-prone areas through coatings or markings
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Extending floor life, reducing degradation and associated dangers
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Allowing for easier ongoing cleaning, maintaining safety long-term
Many incidents can be avoided simply by reducing floor slickness. In high-risk industries like catering, healthcare, and manufacturing, this can dramatically improve injury statistics and boost staff confidence.
Role of Commercial Floor Cleaning in the UK
Professional commercial floor cleaning in the UK goes hand in hand with safety treatments. Standard daily cleaning routines often leave behind soiling, residues, or unseen contaminants that reduce slip resistance over time. Worse still, some off-the-shelf cleaning products actually polish or seal surfaces in a way that makes them more slippery.
At Slip Safety, our cleaning process includes:
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Site-specific cleaning assessments
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Industrial-grade equipment (scrubbers, rotary machines, vacuums)
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Detergents that lift grease without leaving harmful residue
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Deep cleaning of grout, tile joints, and textured surfaces
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Optional slip-resistant coating application post-cleaning
Our cleaning teams are trained not just in hygiene, but in slip prevention science. We make sure that once your floors are cleaned, they’re also safer.
Key Areas Where Floor Safety Treatments Make an Impact
Some areas are more prone to slip risks than others. We work across all industries, but here are the most common high-risk zones:
Entrances and Lobbies
Rainwater and mud are major risks in colder seasons. Anti-slip matting and entrance cleaning protocols are essential.
Commercial Kitchens and Bars
Frequent spills, oil contamination, and moisture make anti-slip coatings and regular degreasing essential.
Healthcare Facilities
Smooth vinyl or safety flooring in hospitals and care homes requires deep cleaning and periodic traction testing.
Retail Stores and Shopping Centres
Customer footfall, seasonal weather, and cleaning oversights can all contribute to risk.
Factories and Warehouses
Industrial flooring faces constant wear from forklifts, chemicals, and heavy machinery—making treatments critical for both grip and durability.
The Slip Safety Process: What to Expect
When you work with Slip Safety, we follow a structured approach:
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Site Visit & Risk Assessment – We inspect your floors, identify problem areas, and test for slip risk.
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Pendulum Testing – A PTV result tells you your current risk level and where you need improvement.
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Deep Cleaning – We strip away years of residue and contamination.
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Treatment Application – Anti-slip solutions, coatings, or treatments are applied based on your needs.
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Final Testing & Certification – We re-test your floors and provide documentation showing your new (safe) slip rating.
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Ongoing Support – Maintenance schedules, reapplication advice, and compliance support.
Why Choose Slip Safety?
We are a UK-based floor safety specialist trusted by facilities managers, safety officers, and property owners across sectors. What sets us apart:
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Decades of industry experience
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Fully trained, certified technicians
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HSE-compliant processes
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Independent testing and verification
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Tailored solutions, not one-size-fits-all
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National service coverage across the UK
Our mission is simple: fewer slips, greater safety.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Fall
Slips aren’t just painful—they’re expensive. With rising insurance premiums, tougher compliance standards, and increasing public awareness, businesses simply can’t afford to ignore floor safety.
By investing in professional floor safety treatments and reliable commercial floor cleaning in the UK, you’re not only meeting your legal duties—you’re preventing injuries before they happen.
Ready to Improve Your Floor Safety?
Contact Slip Safety today for a free consultation or site risk assessment. Whether you’re looking to meet regulations, reduce claims, or protect your people, we’re here to help you make your floors safer—one step at a time.
