Slip and fall accidents pose a risk with wet and dirty floors, but floors can be slippery when they’re dry, too. Floors become slippery when the friction coefficient is reduced, and this can be caused by dust, residue or excess product that’s left on your floors, even after they’ve been cleaned.

Detergent residue

When the floors are cleaned or mopped,  a residue can be left from the detergent. When that excess product dries, it leaves a layer over the floors, which builds up over time and can cause the floors to be slippery. If you are using a floor cleaning machine or automated cleaner, ensure that the dilution is the right for the amount of detergent you are using to limit the film that remains after cleaning.

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Wax or polish

Similarly, hardwood flooring can become slippery when too much wax or polish has been used or if the correct products are not being used on your flooring. If the floors look cloudy or hazy, that’s a sign that there has been too much product used and it could present a slipping hazard. To minimize any build-up, use high-quality products, apply an even, thin layer, and use a damp mop to remove any excess.

Dust

Flooring can become slippery when exposed to fine powder or dust, so places like warehouses with bay doors become a risk when the doors are left open, unprotected from pollen and dust from the outdoors. Regularly cleaning the floors to remove debris, installing partitions or wall curtains, monitoring your air quality, and maintaining your HVAC system will help you keep particles out of the air and off your floors.

Wet floors are an obvious hazard, but keep your eye out for potential slip-and-fall risks on dry floors as part of your regular maintenance and cleaning practices to mitigate risks and keep floors in great shape.