Hotels and businesses are already painfully aware of insurance and legal costs of slip, trip and fall accidents.
But there’s far more to the scenario than that. A.S. Solutions Ltd, or as they are better known, Advanced Safety Solutions, explained that it is estimated that 15 per cent of accidents reported and treated at our local hospitals and clinics are due to slips and falls.
A slip and a fall accident on a construction site can mean far more than lost man-hours at work, discomfort or inconvenience at home. Broken bones, long-term recovery, permanent injury or even death are dire and oft overlooked results of such accidents. In Malta, as anywhere else, many accidents happen when they are least expected, making the need of a solution immediate and essential.
Design & Build met up with Edward Magro, who had set up Advanced Safety Solutions to combat the ever-growing problem of slip-and-fall accidents that are happening on a daily basis… and how it affects people both at home and at their place of work.
Edward Magro, the founder and Managing Director of Advanced Safety Solutions, has several years of experience in the tourism and property sectors and he had expanded his business by importing a variety of international brands directed towards advanced safety. He is in a unique position of knowledge and was able to inform us copiously on how slippages affect the construction industry.
“We Take Safety Seriously,” he says, “and as leaders in safe surfaces and floor treatment we have partnered with European companies that have a proven track record and over 25 years’ experience in this field, manufacturing a range of products for improving the safety of walked-on surfaces. We work with our partners to make sure that every project is delivered on time and satisfies the best Health & Safety criteria.”
“Our patented and award-winning products utilise a one of a kind anti-slip technology developed in our labs that produces safe surfaces within hours, without harming the floor or changing its appearance”
Edward assured us that after all these years of experience in the flooring and construction business, they can proudly offer a brand new, innovative way of approaching the problem and how to prevent slippery floors of all kinds. “Our patented and award-winning products utilise a one of a kind anti-slip technology developed in our labs that produces safe surfaces within hours, without harming the floor or changing its appearance,” he proudly added.
He explained that although most anti-slip solutions available locally are chemical-based to prevent a slippery floor, “we do not use harmful chemicals! Our anti-slip products are safe for all surfaces – both natural and synthetic.” Edward assures us that their solutions last for years and can be applied in a few hours, solving your slippery related problems “there and then, preventing undesired slips and falls for you, your staff, your family or your customers.” The applying process is controlled at every stage, increasing the coefficient of friction of wet surfaces to your needs.
A safer and cleaner environment
Edward’s story had begun when he had installed his first personal flooring. This had brought to his attention that there was a real problem with its safety especially when wet.
The experience made him aware of how hotels, for one thing, were affected by the problem of slips and trips since at that time he was particularly involved within this sector. “I quickly realised that there were many international specialists working on solutions for this problem yet there were none in Malta. It became painfully obvious to me that there was a veritable need for Malta to be well served with anti-slip solutions,” he said. There was no knowledge, no information, no education at the time. “Even people who sold the slippery tiles were unaware of the problems and dangers involved with their product,” added Edward, adding that there are corridors of Government departments which are also prime cases where there is insufficient effort undergone to control slips and trips.
Edward explained that Advanced Safety Solutions provide a wide range of products for various solutions and different kinds of tiles and flooring. “It’s not a one-fits-all situation. You need to know your tiles as they have different manufacturing processes and therefore require different approaches. We are well aware of all these requirements and are well prepared to handle all situations,” he said.
Back to A-B-C
So where and how should we use their anti-slip products?
Edward explained that the preventive industry identifies two main types of tiles: internal and external ones. Classifications for internal use are R9 and R10. Those for external use are R11, R12 and R13. “In Malta one can easily come across internal tiles being used outside as there is no knowledge of the kind of standardisation and safety levels that the different products have,” Edward ruefully admits.
He continues explaining that each R-rating is split into three categories – A, B and C. ‘A’ tiles are good for walking on with shoes, with bare feet, or both. In a pool surround ambience, one would therefore aim to be using a minimum safety level of R12 A+B+C.
The rating also goes deeper and evaluates the ‘probabilities of ’ an accident of the product. Tile ratings are concluded through testing done on a treadmill-type machine with an in-clinometer.“ A primary objective of our anti-slip products therefore is to protect and extend the tile’s capabilities,” explained Edward. “As a general rule the chemicals we use only add about 20 microns to the surface (that’s one tenth of a human hair!). But there are different levels and scenarios involved too. For an R12 classification, where the granules can even have that sandpaper feel, and where each granule can be even of a millimeter in thickness, we have a product called Crosscote that deals even with these situations, especially involving concrete too,” he added. Edward told us that this is similar to an R13 and can even be painted over glass, metal, floor tiles, etc. “It sticks to everything, is adhesive and flexible while also remaining porous. This is not like other paints available locally that claim the same protection.”
He further explained that overseas legislations on construction even specifies that the architects must indicate the tile standards that are being proposed for the project in their plans, the expected level of accident possibility of the design (stairs, slopes etc) and so on. “Unfortunately, we have not reached these levels in Malta yet,” he commented. Nonetheless, there is a growing rise for more safety where tiles are concerned. “We recently were awarded the tender to finish the steps outside the St Julian’s church where the annual procession takes place. This procession involves about 8 men carrying the statue. Due to the passage of the years wherein this event has been taking place, the original concrete steps were becoming slippery. Here was an obvious accident-waiting-to-happen situation while, at the same time, the mayor also wished to have a more attractive floor finish. We therefore laid R12 A-B-C tiles, which has proven to be highly effective in such circumstances.”
Advanced Safety Solutions provides the service of gauging the anti-slip level of their customers’ floorings. “Making use of this service of ours gives any business or the opportunity to measure the real chance of someone slipping and hurting on their premises! A simple mathematical calculation would then discern the treatment type best suited to the floor’s aesthetic and safety expectations.
The safe grip situation
The company has a variety of chemicals available for using on different floorings to create the right grip. “The main chemical type is for use on general manufactured tiles while we also have another type of chemical for floorings with natural materials such as granite, travertine and marble which are naturally slippery. This method lays a microscopical layer on the outside of the flooring as a sealant. “On the other hand, the general tiles are treated by placing a direct chemical layer on top that makes them non slip. You will also find this method used widely in places like London’s Underground stations because it leaves the base floor completely untouched.
Edward clarified the initial processes prior to job initialisation: “ Our team firstly takes the floors’ current Coefficient of Friction readings. Based upon the client’s needs and wants pertaining to the floors, we determine the ratings required to be achieved. We then apply a sample of our products to determine the best solution to be installed, and one installed, we certify the works and readings, and ultimately the anti-slip performance.
Nonetheless this is an irreversible process. Normally, though, this is not a problem and the only difference before and after is generally that the colouring of the floor can darken slightly (although test patches are always done beforehand).
“Advanced Safety Solutions provides the service of gauging the anti-slip level of their customers’ floorings”
He further explained that “We also are well stocked on anti-slip tapes which we import from the largest manufacturers in the UK for use on smaller requirements or specific scenarios requiring their inclusion. Obviously, these tapes come in different grades and sizes to meet the different requirements including for use within the environment of a restaurant where, coupled with safety, one needs to include a high level of hygiene too.
The range of anti-slip tapes available extends to shower and bath floors and many hotels and households alike have invested in them for their bathrooms where this transparent sheet is applied to the bath or shower flooring for the safety of their users.
When the going gets tough
For loading bays and similar areas, as already mentioned, Advanced Safety Solutions’ top seller is Crosscote, a dual component liquid that comes in 20 litres batches and 50kg of powder form. These are mixed together in a specific way that needs professional laying, since residue from past oils and other liquids can still be present in the flooring.
A washing with a 500-bar pressure gun is thus definitely needed as part of the preparation processes. “This is to ensure that the chemical is attached to the substrate and not to the contaminant on the surface,” Edward explained, adding that Crosscote is a very versatile product and is used in a lot of different situations in various countries in the EU to Saudi Arabia as it is capable of withstanding heavy, constant traffic and widely fluctuating temperatures. Yet its greatest advantage is that it retains its porosity for a longer lasting, heavy duty life.”
“the chemicals we use only add about 20 microns to the surface”
Advanced Safety Solutions are able and willing to add colour to the material: “adding pigments as per the site requirements, during our preparation stage and without the need of further overpainting.”
Edward gave some examples of such work: “We implemented a large surface area at a Bank using a yellowish colouring to match the original natural stonework; we matched a reddish colour with the pavement stone for a local council; we have used the internationally recognised green safety colour in traffic areas to create foot paths on the side of roads and sides of premises and we also used black pigment on various garage ramps to hide tyre marks and such stains as cars can create,” he proudly told us.
Another flooring solution for heavy load-bearing sites is PVC Flooring for which they have various solutions. “We have 2 main brands for these needs – Wala from Germany and Bergo from Sweden. The latter one is a plastic tile through which water can seep so the surface is always safe. It is easy to adapt to various situations including school sporting facilities, to domestic pool surroundings. They can also be used in garages and one’s garden patios, terraces etc. It also helps to keep this outside flooring cooler in our hot climate” he explained.
“With the Wala range we use 2 different types of tiles – Cliptile has a hidden joint with a hidden interlocking system, and it can be laid by the discerning DIYer in a floating manner and can be relocated at will. Rabbet on the other hand is cold welded and heat-sealed, and is permanently glued to the flooring, with thickness levels from 6 to 10mm, available in both smooth and grained textures,” explained Edward. These tiles are ideal for refurbishment and can be laid above the previous flooring in a matter of hours. The flooring is entirely sealed. Seams can even be colour-sealed to indicate different areas!
“it is capable of withstanding heavy, constant traffic. Yet its greatest advantage is that it retains its porosity for a longer lasting, heavy duty life”
They offer environments with very high levels of hygienic protection and even curtail noise pollution of the surrounding area. Thus, if a spoon were to be dropped upon a restaurant floor using these kind of tiles, the noise produced would be completely absorbed. A plate dropped wouldn’t rattle or break and the staff would have a more comfortable walking area too. Our 7mm tiles can withstand up to 3.5 tons so for fork lifter or similar heavy duty areas they are definitely the ideal solution,” added Edward. The tile design itself is ergonomic, low maintenance and in case of some unexpected damage then it can be easily and simply changed. “And it looks nice too …. while also being very anti-slip and doesn’t hold dust either; for easy cleaning. Overall, it makes loading bays far safer, and more efficient! he added.
It is safe to say that Edward’s quasi obsession on anti-slip solutions has provided Malta with a veritable fountain of knowledge in these matters. He hopes that the Authorities will implement a structure of compliance and enforcement, whilst also endeavouring to educate both the residential and commercial owners and tenants of all properties with the importance of proper anti-slip flooring, as well as the legal rights which protect and safeguard against any accidents caused by improper layouts.
Edward assured us that “companies and premises making use of our services know that the higher quality levels of their tiles will reflect on their being more conscious of the care of their customers.” This advantage complements the base need of protecting life. “The scope is for everyone to be able to work in a safer and cleaner environment,” he firmly concluded.
Comment