How Poor Floor Maintenance Increases Slip & Fall Risk in Commercial Buildings
- Matthew Sarzynski
- Feb 9
- 1 min read
Slip and fall incidents are one of the most common causes of workplace injury and liability in commercial and industrial facilities.
While many factors contribute, one of the most overlooked is poor floor maintenance.
At Priority One Maintenance, we regularly see how neglected floors directly increase safety risks — and how proper maintenance dramatically reduces them.
1. Built-Up Contaminants Reduce Traction
Oils, dust, grease, salt residue, and industrial debris create a film that:
Lowers the coefficient of friction
Makes surfaces unpredictable underfoot
Increases fall potential, especially in wet conditions
Routine mechanical scrubbing and degreasing restores traction.
2. Worn or Uneven Floor Finish
As floor coatings wear:
High-traffic lanes become slick
Bare substrate is exposed
Inconsistent surfaces form between coated and uncoated areas
These transitions significantly increase slip risk.
3. Improper Cleaning Methods
Incorrect chemicals, over-wetting, and residue left behind by poor cleaning techniques create invisible hazards.
Professional floor care ensures:
Correct dilution ratios
Residue-free finishes
Proper neutralization after stripping or scrubbing
4. Delayed Maintenance Increases Liability
Deferred maintenance does not save money — it shifts cost into:
Injury claims
Lost productivity
Insurance impacts
Regulatory non-compliance
Preventative floor care is a risk-management strategy, not an expense.
5. How Professional Floor Maintenance Improves Safety
Mechanical scrubbing removes contaminants
Recoating restores traction
High-traffic lane programs maintain consistency
Proper sealing reduces absorption and staining
Industrial & Commercial Floor Care in Edmonton
Priority One Maintenance provides professional floor maintenance across:
Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Beaumont, Nisku, and Leduc.
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