How Industrial Flooring Impacts Health & Safety Compliance

Choosing the correct industrial flooring can significantly impact your business. A safe and smart workplace benefits everyone who works at or visits your premises. But, what do we mean by safe, and why do your choices impact health and safety compliance?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics from 2024/25 show that slips, trips and falls are the largest cause of non-fatal workplace injuries. These account for 30% of total injuries reported. The HSE also states that workplace injury in 2023/24 cost Britain £6.5 billion. 

These statistics are shocking, but so is the damage to the businesses and people behind them. No business owner wants their employees to come to harm, nor do they want to end up in court. Ensuring your industrial flooring is health and safety compliant will significantly decrease the risks to everyone. 

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 form the primary legal basis for floor safety in UK workplaces. We’re going to explore four parts of Regulation 12, which specifically addresses floors and traffic routes. Plus, read to the end for our biggest top tip on flooring health and safety compliance! 

‘Every floor in a workplace and the surface of every traffic route in a workplace shall be of a construction such that persons are not exposed to risk to their health or safety as a result.’

Durable and slip-resistant flooring is an essential component. The right type of flooring and coating should meet your workspace’s demands. Options range from epoxy coating, industrial vinyl or anti-slip concrete floor paint to carpet tiles and timber floors. If you’re unsure where to start or just need help making a final choice, Norris Commercial can help and advise.

‘Floors and traffic routes must be suitable for purpose, free from holes, uneven or slippery surfaces.’

Smooth, crack-free flooring, which is consistent from wall to floor, prevents the build up of dust, dirt and debris which can cause trip and slip and biological hazards. 

UK Slip resistance standards are largely built around the Pendulum Test Value (PTV), which measures the dynamic coefficient of friction between a standardised rubber slider (mimicking a shoe sole) and the flooring surface. A floor which may seem safe when clean can become slippery when a coating of dust or sawdust forms. Various methods combat this, including anti-slip paint and resin floor-to-wall finishes.

‘Floors must be effectively drained where liable to get wet.’

In areas where spillages may occur, or liquids are expected on the floor having the correct flooring surface, gradients and drainage is key. 

Non-porous floor coatings will prevent liquids from absorbing, allowing them to be siphoned off into the appropriate slot, trench or point drain. 

Once installed, incorporate regular checks and maintenance on your drainage system into your daily schedule.

‘Traffic routes must be of sufficient width and headroom’

Zoning your floor areas is non-negotiable when it comes to site safety. Measuring out and clearly marking traffic routes – for both foot and mechanical traffic – acts as vital protection for employees and visitors. 

At Norris Commercial we have over 30 years experience in delivering industrial floor painting and line marking services designed to support the operations of large industrial premises. We prepare and coat surfaces to ensure durable, reliable performance, while clearly applying layouts to support safe movement and efficient working in busy environments. 

Our biggest top tip for industrial flooring health and safety compliance…

Risk Assessments! It’s not exciting and it’s not rocket science, but risk assessments really are the cornerstone of your workplace health and safety. A well performed initial risk assessment should recognise all potential health and safety pitfalls and generate the actions that mitigate against them.

Your risk assessment remains a live document, available to all site users and reviewed regularly, and coupled with the dynamic risk assessments performed daily. 

For more information on managing risks through risk assessments visit this HSE website page.

Your industrial flooring requirements

If you’ve got any questions about the best industrial flooring solutions for your business, or you already know what you want and would like a no-obligation quote, get in touch with us today.