Anti-slip company - regulations

The legal basis under which companies in Germany must secure their workplaces and floors against slip accidents is clear and binding. These are not recommendations, but a legal obligation.

The central legal foundations are:

1. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG):
   The ArbSchG is the fundamental legal standard for occupational health and safety in Germany. It generally obligates employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees. This includes the obligation to conduct a risk assessment. In this assessment, all workplace hazards, including the risk of slipping, must be systematically identified and appropriate protective measures derived.
2. The Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV):
   This ordinance specifies the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for the design of workplaces. The annex to the ArbStättV (§ 3 para. 1) contains specific requirements for floors. It requires that floors in rooms must not have any unevenness, holes, tripping hazards, or dangerous slopes. They must also be stable, slip-resistant, and non-slip.
3. The Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR):
   The ASR reflect the state of the art, occupational medicine, and hygiene. They are not laws, but by adhering to them, the employer can assume that they are fulfilling the requirements of the Workplace Ordinance. ASR A1.5 "Floors" is the central set of regulations for slip resistance. It describes in detail:
4. DGUV Rule 108-003:
   The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) supplements state regulations with its own rules. DGUV Rule 108-003 is almost identical to ASR A1.5 and also provides a classification of work areas according to the required slip resistance classes.

A risk assessment, often also referred to as a hazard assessment, is a systematic process that companies must carry out in order to identify potential workplace hazards, evaluate them, and take measures to eliminate or minimize them. In the context of preventing slip accidents, this assessment focuses specifically on the risk of slipping in all relevant work areas.

Purpose and procedure of the risk assessment

The risk assessment is a legally required instrument of occupational health and safety, anchored in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). For the prevention of slip accidents, it generally follows these steps:

1. Identify hazards: The company inspects all work areas and determines where the risk of slipping, tripping, or falling exists. This can be the case on wet, oily, smooth, or uneven floors, stairs, or ramps.
2. Assess risk: Each identified hazard is evaluated. This involves estimating the probability of an accident and the potential consequences (ranging from a slight bruise to serious injuries).
3. Derive and implement measures: Based on the risk assessment, appropriate protective measures are determined. This can include selecting non-slip flooring, applying special anti-slip coatings, or laying down mats.
4. Review measures: The effectiveness of the implemented measures is regularly reviewed and adjusted if necessary.

What is taken into account in the risk assessment for slip hazards?

The assessment of slip hazards is a complex process that takes various factors into account:

• Floor conditions: Is the floor smooth, rough, uneven, or damaged?
• Type of contamination: What substances can get onto the floor (water, oil, grease, coolants, flour, etc.)?
• Work processes: What activities take place on the surface (walking, standing, transporting heavy loads)?
• Work clothing and footwear: Are employees wearing appropriate, non-slip footwear?

The risk assessment often results in the recommendation to use flooring with a specific slip resistance class (R-class) according to DIN 51130. If the existing floor does not meet this class, the company must take appropriate measures, such as installing an anti-slip coating, to ensure safety.

In accordance with statutory regulations (ArbSchG, ArbStättV, ASR A1.5, etc.), companies must implement preventive measures that follow a specific hierarchical principle to ensure the safety of workplaces. The central legal requirement is the performance of a risk assessment, from which the following measures must be derived.

The common approach follows the STOP principle:

• S - Substitution (Replacement): Hazardous substances or processes should, where possible, be replaced by less hazardous ones.
• T - Technical measures: Hazards should be eliminated or minimized through technical solutions.
• O - Organizational measures: Work instructions and rules of conduct are established to reduce the remaining hazards.
• P - Personal protective measures: As a final resort, personal protective equipment is provided.

In detail, companies must implement the following preventive measures:

1. Technical measures (priority)

Technical measures are the most effective because they combat the hazard at the source.

• Selection of the correct flooring: Companies must ensure that the flooring in the respective work areas has the required slip resistance class (R-class according to DIN 51130). For wet or oily floors, higher R-classes are mandatory.
• Installation of anti-slip coatings: If the existing floor does not meet the requirements, companies must retrofit it by applying an anti-slip coating. This is one of the most effective measures for permanently securing floors and surfaces.
• Maintenance and repair: Floors must be regularly checked for damage (cracks, holes) and repaired immediately to eliminate tripping hazards.
• Drainage and water removal: In wet areas, effective drainage (e.g., through channels, drains) must be ensured so that no liquids accumulate on the floor.

2. Organizational measures

Cleaning and maintenance plans: Binding cleaning plans must be created to ensure that floors are regularly and properly cleared of dirt, oil, or other slip-promoting substances.

• Marking of hazard zones: Areas where there is a temporarily increased risk of slipping (e.g., during cleaning) must be clearly marked with warning signs (e.g., "Caution, wet!").
• Training of employees: Employees must be informed and trained about slip hazards in the workplace, correct conduct, and the importance of anti-slip surfaces and footwear.

3. Personal protective measures

Provision of safety shoes: Companies are obliged to provide their employees with suitable, slip-resistant safety shoes in areas with a risk of slipping. Employees, in turn, are obliged to wear these shoes.

The implementation of all these measures must be documented in the risk assessment. It serves as proof to authorities and professional associations that the company has fulfilled its duty of care.

In accordance with statutory requirements, companies must carefully document all preventive measures resulting from the risk assessment. This documentation is not only a mandatory requirement, but also serves as important proof for authorities and professional associations that the company has fulfilled its duty of care.

The documentation should include the following points:

1. Documentation of the risk assessment

This is the core of the documentation. Every risk assessment must be recorded in writing. The documentation should contain:

• the hazards identified (e.g., risk of slipping due to wetness, oil, etc.)
• the assessment of the risk
• the protective measures derived therefrom (e.g., use of a special anti-slip coating)
• the responsibilities for the implementation of the measures
• the deadlines for the implementation of the measures
• the date of the review and update of the risk assessment.

2. Documentation of technical measures

Product verification: It must be documented which product (e.g., an anti-slip coating with slip resistance class R13) was used. A data sheet or product description from the manufacturer confirming the slip resistance class should be attached.

• Proof of execution: It must be recorded when and by whom the measures (e.g., the application of the anti-slip coating) were carried out.

3. Documentation of organizational measures

Operating instructions and training: The completion of training on slip hazards must be proven. This can be done through training protocols, attendance lists, or digitally documented instructions.

• Cleaning plans: The cleaning and maintenance plan must be documented and its compliance monitored.

4. Documentation of personal protective measures

Procurement and handover: It must be proven that appropriate safety shoes with anti-slip soles were procured and made available to employees.

• Instruction: Employees must be instructed in the use and care of personal protective equipment. This must also be documented.

The DGUV emphasizes the importance of training and instruction for employees in order to raise awareness of slip hazards and promote preventive behavior.