The Proper Cleaning Process for Each Surface
Tribology research (the study of the interaction between sliding surfaces) indicates that dirty floors are a common cause of slips and falls. “Contaminants may accumulate on floor surfaces due to inadequate cleaning processes, resulting in the reduction of surface roughness as soil, grease, or other contaminants fill in the pores or valleys in the floor surface. The accumulation of contaminants alters these surface features and consequently reduces the uncontaminated floor’s original friction characteristics.”117 Further, “A floor cleaning protocol must consider the floor type, the contaminants involved, and a cleaning solvent most suitable for both.”118
Additional findings revealed, among other things, that: “A restaurant kitchen floor is only clean when the polymerized grease film is also removed . . . ”119 (polymerized grease film is a thin coating of grease, soil, and even cleaning chemicals that develops on floors over time). Accordingly, “occasional testing of floor surfaces to monitor slip resistance levels and determine effectiveness of the floor cleaning protocol”120 should be performed for a floor maintenance program to be effective.
The following recommendations, among others, should be implemented:
- Select floor cleaning and maintenance products with proven slip resistance characteristics that are compatible with the particular flooring surfaces in your facility. It should be noted that the National Floor Safety Institute states that ten out of the eighteen products that they tested that were approved for tile floor cleaning actually made the tile floors more slippery after they were cleaned using the product.121
- Provide proper signage and equipment to be used as a warning system during floor maintenance and quick reference for cleanup operations, such as safety cones, wet-floor signs, safety data sheets (SDS) and specifications regarding the slip-resistance level of products, safety posters, etc. (Note: OSHA’s poster informing employees of their rights and responsibilities must be posted in a prominent location at all times to be in compliance and to meet industry standard.)
- Implement carpet runners and mats that adhere to OSHA and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines……………….
Excerpt taken from the upcoming book, “Slip & Falls in Restaurants” by Howard Cannon.
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