Should I use ‘Caution! Wet Floor.’ signs to warn people when floors are cleaned?
Warning people that a floor is wet – and therefore dangerously slippery – have a limited effect. Warning signs will only remain effective if they are properly used. If warning signs are always visible on areas which are clearly not being cleaned or drying they will quickly lose any effectiveness. Methods of preventing access during cleaning or drying need to be effective, for example: • Physically exclude people from wet cleaning areas e.g. barriers, locking off an area. • Clean during quiet hours. • Clean in sections so there is always a dry path through the area. During the course of their work cleaners may be exposed to slip risks. Appropriate slip resistant footwear can help reduce the slip risk to cleaners themselves. Footwear provided as personal protective equipment must be provided free of charge to employees.
