Prevent slippery entryways this winter with Competitive Choice

B uilding managers face headaches when winter brings snow, slush, and ice melt to much of the country. OSHA mandates that employers keep walking-working surfaces free of snow and ice because the mess that winter weather can leave behind can cause trips and falls. The floors' wear and tear is also accelerated by tracked-in salt and snow. Below are a few things employers can do to not only keep people safe, but also promote longevity of flooring and keep a clean and tidy working environment:

Reconsider your Matting

The right entry mats can benefit you greatly. According to Facility Executive, mats can reduce the amount of dirt that enters a facility by up to 90%. Most high-performance mat systems consist of a few pieces. As people walk through snow, mud and debris, they can collect buildup on their shoes. The entrance of the building should have a rough outdoor mat to scrape dirt and debris from shoes and boots. One through the scraper mat, a softer mat with one or two zones of increasingly soft and absorbent indoor matting to clean and dry the soles of people's shoes and boots should be utilized.

How much matting do you require then? In order to keep floors clean, provide people with both types of mats, wide enough for each shoe, before soles walk onto the bare floor. Many manufacturers recommend installing matting 15 feet inside the entrance.

Types of mats:

    Printed message mats convey safety reminders.

    Entrance mats will clean shoes and boots at transition areas and doorways to prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked inside and damaging floors.

    Dryer mats will mainly absorb moisture to keep floors dry. These are vital in preventing slip and falls. Scraper-dryer mats are dually useful by removing dirt and moisture equally.

    Scraper mats primarily remove debris and dirt off of shoes.

    Interlocking mats consist of tiles that are connected to form a custom configuration for oddly shaped doorways and transitional areas.

    Disposable mats can be discarded when dirty, eliminating the need to clean or rent mats.

Keep Mopping

Even if you use effective matting, some liquids, dirt, and debris will still get into your facility. The accumulation of salt and other ice melt products, as well as dirt and water, will be prevented by frequent mopping.

As it builds up, salt is abrasive and can harm floors. Many janitorial companies recommend green ice melt products which can have less of an impact on finished floors. Using neutral cleaners such as mild detergents or products designed specifically for finished floors to remove ice melt buildup is also beneficial. Mop water may also need to be changed more frequently by your crew when removing salty buildup.

Dive Deep

During winter, adhering to your typical support plan is a higher priority than at any other time. Many building managers choose to perform regular deep cleaning during the winter. This can help restore floor finishes to like-new condition, increasing the floor's appeal to customers and extending its lifespan. Additionally, hidden dirt and debris that can accumulate quickly during the winter and wear down protective floor finishes can be removed by deep cleaning floors.

Protect your floors

A decent seal or finish on your floors can assist with safeguarding them from winter harm and deep stains. Floors should be resealed before winter arrives, according to Facility Executive. Scrubbing and re-coating may be the best alternative if that is not possible.

Bonus Advice: Check the lighting in your building. While it won't protect your floors, lighting can help protect people who enter and leave your building. Slips and trips are more likely to occur in environments with inadequate lighting, according to OSHA. Also, lighting is particularly significant in the colder time of year when the predominance of dangerous walkways increases, and sunlight hours reduce. Planning ahead is a great idea because working on outdoor fixtures before winter usually makes things easier.