In high-traffic, high-risk environments such as warehouses, factories, workshops, and food production facilities, one of the most important—but often overlooked—elements of workplace safety is floor slip resistance. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries worldwide, and in Malaysia, they account for a significant portion of reported industrial accidents according to DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health).
Industrial floor coatings with proper slip-resistant properties play a critical role in preventing these accidents and creating a safer, more productive environment for employees.
1. Workplace Safety
Slippery floors can lead to:
- Employee falls
- Equipment accidents (e.g. forklifts skidding)
- Contamination from spilled substances
In Malaysia, workplace safety is governed by:
- OSHA 1994 (Occupational Safety and Health Act)
- Factories and Machinery Act
- DOSH Guidelines
- Fines or legal action
- Insurance claims or premium hikes
- Damaged reputation
Accidents not only result in injury but also:
- Interrupt production
- Create downtime
- Lower employee morale
1. Surface Texture
Adding aggregates (e.g., silica sand, quartz, aluminum oxide, or carborundum) into coatings creates micro-roughness that increases grip.
2. Coating Type
- Epoxy coatings can be customized with anti-slip textures.
- Polyurethane (PU) coatings offer good flexibility and can be textured for wet zones.
- MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) systems allow rapid curing and controlled texture.
- Cementitious urethane systems are ideal for food industry slip resistance under wet conditions.
Slip resistance is measured by Coefficient of Friction (CoF) or using testing standards like:
- BS 7976 / Pendulum Test (PTV >36 = Low Slip Risk)
- ASTM D2047 (Dry static CoF ≥ 0.5 = Acceptable)
- EN 13036 or DIN 51130 (Ramp testing with R-ratings: R9–R13)
| Location | Risk Factor | Suggested Coating |
| Food processing zones | Water, oils, cleaning agents | PU cement with quartz sand |
| Automotive workshops | Oil spills, grease | Epoxy with aluminum oxide grit |
| Commercial kitchens | Wet floors, organic matter | Polyurethane with anti-slip finish |
| Loading bays / Warehouses | Dust, tire marks, moisture | Epoxy or MMA with textured finish |
| Cold rooms / Freezers | Ice formation, condensation | PU or MMA with fine grit aggregate |
| Additive | Properties | Common Uses |
| Silica Sand | Fine, cost-effective | General areas |
| Aluminum Oxide | Durable, aggressive grip | Industrial, wet areas |
| Quartz Aggregate | Aesthetic and functional | Food and beverage zones |
| Carborundum (Silicon Carbide) | Very coarse, max traction | High-slip-risk zones like ramps |
| Polybeads or Glass Beads | Light texture, decorative | Commercial/light industrial |
While increasing surface texture improves slip resistance, it may:
- Trap dirt, grease, or debris
- Require deeper cleaning methods
When selecting a system, consider:
- Type of contaminants (oil, water, food waste, chemicals)
- Foot and vehicular traffic load
- Cleaning methods used
- Industry-specific regulations
- Epoxy with silica sand for general industry
- PU screed with carborundum for food plants
- MMA with quartz finish for cold storage logistics
- Reduces injuries from falls
- Improves workplace safety compliance
- Withstands harsh conditions
- Boosts worker confidence and performance
- Lowers accident-related downtime and costs
Slip resistance is not an optional feature—it's a critical safety function of any industrial flooring system. In Malaysia’s humid and often wet industrial environments, non-slip coatings can make the difference between safe operations and costly accidents.
From epoxy and PU to MMA and specialty textured systems, a wide range of solutions exist to ensure that your industrial floors are not just durable—but also safe.
US 5969 
BR 3677 
VN 2789 
AU 1255 
TH 1232 
JP 1126 
SG 840 
MY 638 
