In recent months, every type of workplace has had to introduce safety measures to help protect employees and customers in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Social distancing measures and staggered shifts have been initiated. Additional handwashing facilities and sanitisers have been provided – and deep cleaning has become a regular activity.

Flooring plays a crucial part in helping to maintain a protected and healthy working environment and shouldn’t be forgotten in your review of safe workplace practices.

Are you compliant with HSE regulations?

HSE (the Health and Safety Executive) gives guidance and provides information on health and safety at work. When it comes to flooring, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 stipulates that the floor in a workplace must be suitable for the type of work activity taking place on it.

Flooring must be appropriate, in good condition and free from obstructions allowing people to move around safely. If the floor is likely to be subject to frequent contamination, it should still be safe to walk on without the risk of slipping.

Therefore, it’s imperative that the type of floorcovering you use reflects the activity taking place in that area.

Is your flooring appropriate for the workplace activity?

In kitchens and catering environments, spillages of water and grease are unavoidable, and the flooring needs to be slip-resistant to cope with these conditions. Restaurants, cafes, and hotels should have safe and hygienic floorcoverings that also blend in with the design of the establishment.

In leisure centres, spas and swimming pools, there will be areas that are continually wet, and the floorcovering must be robust but at the same time actively prevent slipping.

Demanding environments such as hospitals, care homes, nursing homes, veterinary surgeries and schools need safety flooring solutions that are hygienic and safe and can cope with heavy traffic.

In industrial settings, such as factories and warehouses, specialist safety flooring is needed to cope with heavy traffic that’s sometimes mechanical. It also helps if it’s stain resistant. Whereas in retail and office spaces, the primary factor is that the flooring should be hardwearing, prevent slip and trip risks – and look stylish.

Finding the right floorcovering for you

FineLine Flooring specialises in the supply and installation of commercial safety vinyl flooring and non-slip flooring to commercial and industrial sectors. We work with leading brands including Altro, Forbo, Gerflor, Polyflor, and Tarkett

We can advise on the most suitable type of flooring for commercial, leisure and industrial environments, recommending products that have been designed to prevent slips and trips in the workplace.

The Altro collection has some fantastic flooring that’s been designed to provide the highest level of slip resistance when in contact with grease, oils and fats. The collection also includes floorcoverings that can drastically reduce the risk of slipping on water.

Forbo has a wide range of excellent safety flooring. Its products have been installed in many healthcare settings, providing durable and functional floor coverings that also create an ambience to help patients and residents feel comfortable and relaxed.

Gerflor’s Tarabus range meets the most stringent requirements of the ground transportation industry. It has safety floorings that have been designed for high traffic areas where outstanding durability and slip resistance is needed.

Polyflor has an extensive and impressive range of flooring that includes products for the most testing of environments. Polysafe Hydro is ideally suited for wet, barefoot areas where there’s continual running water, as it offers enhanced slip resistance.

Tarkett is another well-known brand that offers high quality and durable flooring for most workplaces. Safetred Universal Plus is Tarkett’s most heavy-duty safety floorcovering and is ideal for challenging areas that present a high risk of slips or falls, including kitchens and hospitals.

Would you like to know more about safety and non-slip flooring solutions?

FineLine Flooring specialises in the supply and installation of safety flooring and non-slip flooring to commercial and industrial sectors covering Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire.

Our flooring installers are all CSCS registered and monitored to the highest standards. We meet all health and safety guidelines and are fully covered for commercial and employer’s liability insurance.

For any questions, or to receive a quote, please contact us on 01256 701569 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.