Which Floor Materials Stop Us Slipping?
Created By RISC | 1 week ago
Last modified date : 1 week ago
We often see warnings to drive slowly in the rain – but people are also at risk of slips and falls!
Many people get hurt on wet floors. Injuries can be severe. The vulnerable and elderly can even die. More than 1 in 3 older adults (60+) fell and hurt themselves in 2023, according to the Division of Injury Prevention, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. These falls involve 180,000 outpatient treatments and 90,000 hospitalizations each year.. and cause about 1,200 deaths!
Slipping and tripping is the leading cause of falls in the elderly, accounting for 61.97% of those needing medical treatment in 2022 (20,741 cases). These numbers show that falls cause enormous damage. Prevention is vital. According to World Health Organization (WHO) research, falls stem from:
• Biology, including neurological illnesses, physical decline, balance, and vision.
• Behaviors such as using certain medications, drinking alcoholic beverages, wearing shoes with no tread, changing position quickly.
• Economic and societal reasons, such as living alone and not having enough money to modify the indoor and outdoor environments.
• Environmental factors such as slippery, uneven flooring, varying levels, insufficient illumination, objects blocking the walkway, lack of handrails.
Since aging is inevitable, older adults are most at risk. But anyone can fall from toddlers to pregnant women and those with physical limitations.
So how can we prevent accidents?
Living spaces should have anti-slip materials appropriate for each location to lower the risk of slipping and falling for everyone.
Room function determines the risk level for area. Where the floor might get wet from water, rainwater, or oil, floor materials need a higher anti-slip value (learn more about the R value at https://risc.in.th/th/knowledge/slippery-problems-lets-get-to-know-r-rating-in-flooring-material).
• For general usage areas in the house, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and walkways, select materials with an anti-slip value of at least R9.
• For dry bathroom floors like toilets and sinks, select materials with an anti-slip value of at least R10. For wet bathroom floors like showers and bathtubs, select materials with an anti-slip value of at least R11.
• For food preparation area floors, select materials that have a slide resistance of at least R10.
• Select slip-resistant materials for kitchen flooring and outdoor spaces like pathways and parking lots (minimum R11 rating).
• For outdoor spaces with high slopes, select materials with a slip resistance of at least R12.
Standard flooring materials should have slip resistance test results from the manufacturer. However, if there is no slide resistance, you can employ the following methods:
• High friction materials, such as rubber and vinyl, provide good surface adherence and high slip resistance.
• To improve slide resistance, roughen the surface, groove it, add grout lines, or create mosaics.
Figure 1 Example of roughening the surface
Figure 2 Example of grooving the material
Figure 3 Example of adding grout lines
Figure 4 Example of creating mosaics
If you are unable to replace the original slippery materials, apply anti-slip rubber sheets, tapes, or coatings, depending on the location.
Non-wet surfaces require extra attention. For example, when concrete, stone, and tile floors are exposed to water, their slip resistance rating is frequently reduced compared to when the surface is dry. You can follow these steps:
• Regularly clean and dry indoor locations and use caution when wet from cleaning agents.
• Outdoor areas should have a roof, drain wells, and no standing water. Avoid using them during or after rain.
For cleaning, materials with a high slip resistance rating may have a rough surface, so choose a surface type that can still be cleaned well and has a low porosity material, decreasing dirt on the surface that might cause slipping when wet.
Floor colors or patterns should be visible and show whether the floor is flat or on different levels. Do not focus solely on appearance. Consider the quality of the view to avoid accidents. Having the same color and pattern on the stairs makes it difficult to detect the different level floor. Choose a color and pattern that stands out as a decorative border on the floor.
Figure 5 Examples of colors and patterns that may cause accidents
Also choose floor materials for adequate lighting and clear visibility of the walking path and surroundings. Remove obstacles from the walkway. Install handrails to help support the body where there are changes in levels, ramps, or along key walkways. All these are tips can help provide a safe environment that reduces injuries and potential losses.
Story by Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President of RISC
References:
2023 Annual Report, the Division of Injury Prevention, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (https://ddc.moph.go.th/dip/journal_detail.php?publish=15746)
WHO global report on fall prevention in elderly (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241563536)