Non-Slip Flooring Is The Law

Non-Slip FLooring is the Law

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety & Health Administration

OSHA has general industry standards regarding walking-working surfaces.

Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidents and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommend that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5. A research project sponsored by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted tests with persons with disabilities and concluded that a higher coefficient of friction was needed by such persons. A static coefficient of friction of 0.6 is recommended for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps.

The ADA Mandates Non-Slip Flooring in Public Buildings

ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG):

4.5.1* General. Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces including floors, walks, ramps, stairs, and curb ramps, shall be stable, firm, slip-resistant, and shall comply with 4.5.

A4.5.1 General. People who have difficulty walking or maintaining balance or who use crutches, canes, or walkers, and those with restricted gaits are particularly sensitive to slipping and tripping hazards. For such people, a stable and regular surface is necessary for safe walking.

Slip resistance is based on the frictional force necessary to keep a shoe heel or crutch tip from slipping on a walking surface under conditions likely to be found on the surface. While the dynamic coefficient of friction during walking varies in a complex and non-uniform way, the static coeficient of friction, which can be measured in several ways, provides a close approximation of the slip resistance of a surface.

Cost of failure to comply with ADA's Requirements:

The Department of Justice may file lawsuits in federal court to enforce the ADA, and courts may order compensatory damages and back pay to remedy discrimination if the Department prevails. Under title 3, the Department of Jutice may also obtain civil penalties of up to $55,000 for the first violation and $110,000 for any subsequent violation.

Legal costs and damages awarded to the individuals of lawsuits.

Increases in Workman's Compensation and General Liability Insurance Premiums.

IRS Incentive in complying with ADA Requirements:

The IRS has provided that small businesses can deduct up to $15,000 for certain removal of architectural barriers to the handicapped which include modification of the floor surfaces to make it comply with the non-slip guidelines. In addition, certain small businesses can receive a tax credit up to $5,000 from the IRS for money spent to comply with ADA regulations.