Summer floor maintenance is common in schools, but stripping and waxing floors can create ice like conditions. Even a fall from a standing position can result in a life-altering injury.
A TNRMT member had an employee experience a serious incident involving an employee who suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling while stripping and waxing the floor. The employee did not fall from a ladder or elevated surface; the fall occurred from a standing position. This incident is a powerful reminder that routine work can still carry significant risks.
Floor-stripping chemicals loosen old wax and finish, creating a surface that may be nearly impossible to walk on safely with ordinary footwear. Products like “impact grippers for strippers”, specialized slip-resistant overshoes designed for floor-stripping operations, can provide employees with much-needed traction. They are simple safeguards that may help prevent a devastating fall.
Before beginning a floor-stripping or waxing project:
- Require workers to wear footwear or overshoes specifically designed for wet floor-stripping operations.
- Inspect grippers before each use and replace them when worn or damaged.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all chemicals and equipment.
- Use warning signs, cones, or barricades to keep others out of the work area.
- Strip floors in manageable sections and maintain a safe path for entering and exiting.
- Never walk backward on a wet, freshly stripped floor.
- Keep hoses, cords, tools, and equipment out of walkways.
- Follow applicable requirements for gloves, eye protection, ventilation, and chemical handling.
No task is worth a serious injury. Before the next stripping and waxing project begins, take a few minutes to review procedures, inspect protective equipment, and make sure every employee has the right traction for the job.