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Preventing construction site accidents - Anti-slip

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Preventing accidents on construction sites - Anti-slip

There are extensive statistics on accidents in the construction industry published by the German Social Accident Insurance for the construction industry (BG BAU) and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). These statistics confirm that accidents caused by falling, slipping, and tripping (in short: FST accidents) are one of the most frequent causes of accidents in the construction sector.

Frequency and severity of accidents

  • Every fifth accident: FST accidents account for approximately 20-25% of all occupational accidents in Germany, making them the second most common type of accident. In the construction industry, their share is even higher.
  • High accident rate in construction: Although the total number of occupational accidents in the construction industry has fallen in recent years, the sector remains disproportionately dangerous compared to other industries. In 2024, there were almost 92,000 reportable occupational accidents in the construction industry and construction-related services.
  • Serious consequences: What sounds harmless can have serious consequences. FST accidents frequently lead to bone fractures, ligament tears, bruises, or sprains. In some cases, they can even lead to permanent health damage or, in combination with other hazards, to fatal accidents.

Causes of FST accidents in the construction industry

The statistics show that the causes of these accidents often lie in the specific conditions of a construction site:

  • Weather conditions: Rain, ice, snow, or mud make surfaces such as scaffolding planks, stairs, or walkways extremely slippery.
  • Contamination: Construction sites are often contaminated with material residues such as mortar, sand, oil, or paint, which lead to an increased risk of slipping.
  • Disorder: Tools, cables, or building materials left lying on walkways are one of the most frequent causes of tripping accidents.
  • Lack of safety measures: Inadequate or missing anti-slip coverings on ramps, ladders, or stairs contribute significantly to the accident figures.
  • These statistics underline the need for companies in the construction industry to consistently invest in preventive measures to ensure the safety of their employees.

The solution: How an anti-slip coating works

A high-quality anti-slip coating is not a temporary solution, but a targeted, technical safety system.

  1. Increased friction: A coating with integrated granules (e.g., quartz sand or corundum) creates a rough, textured surface. This structure increases the friction between the floor and the workers' footwear, even when the surface is wet or dirty.
  2. Mechanical resistance: The coating is so robust that it can withstand the extreme mechanical loads of a construction site. It is abrasion-resistant and withstands traffic from heavy machinery, falling tools, and abrasion from construction rubble.
  3. Resistance to chemicals: Professional anti-slip coatings are resistant to typical construction site chemicals such as oil, fuel, cement slurry, and solvents. They not only protect the workers but also the underlying floor from damage.
  4. Uniform surface: A coating can level out small cracks or unevenness in the substrate, which eliminates additional tripping hazards.

Concrete application cases in the construction industry

The use of anti-slip coatings makes sense at many critical points on a construction site:

  • Ramps and access points: Temporary access ramps for machines or treads for access to scaffolding are the main cause of slips.
  • Scaffolding planks: Planks and walkways on scaffolding that are exposed to the weather.
  • Shell construction: Freshly laid concrete floors or temporary basement stairs can be temporarily or permanently secured with a coating.
  • Storage areas: Areas where material is stored or processed are often slippery and should be secured.

By using a certified anti-slip coating, construction companies can not only protect their employees but also meet legal requirements, such as the Construction Site Ordinance and the ASR A1.5. It is an investment in safety that pays off through the avoidance of accidents and downtime.