Guidelines for Commercial Floor Maintenance

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GUIDELINES FOR
COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE
FLOOR
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Currently, there are no specified laws or
regulations that govern commercial floor cleaning
and maintenance. This means that each business
owner is responsible for keeping floors
maintained to a reasonable standard, which can
vary considerably, according to what judges and
juries deem to be reasonable. Reasonable floor
care is generally considered to include regular
cleaning, floor inspections, and responsible
behavior if a slip and fall accident does occur.
This presentation outlines the steps for
cleaning and inspecting floors, as well as
addressing accidents that can lead to litigation
(lawsuits).
Commercial Maintenance and the Law
FLOOR
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• Some bare floors are reasonably slip-resistant
  without any coating, such as concrete.
• Other floors, particularly vinyl and vinyl
  composition tile (VCT) tend to become slippery
  and dangerous when wet.
• Floor coating does more than just protect people
  walking on the floor, it also
• Extends the life of the flooring
• Makes floors easier to clean
• Looks prettier and shinier
• Can reduce the amount of light necessary to
  illuminate the area

TO COAT OR NOT TO COAT BARE FLOORS VS. FLOOR
COATINGS
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Most floor coatings available today are made to
meet the ASTM D-2047 standard. This standard
defines coating that is reasonably
slip-resistant. Some bare flooring also meet the
ASTM D-2047 slip-resistance standards. Ask your
flooring distributor or floor coating salesperson
if your floor or coating meets this standard of
slip-resistance. Though this standard is not
required by law, its use is considered to be
taking reasonable precautions to protect
employees, customers, and visitors from injury.
Without a flooring made to this standard, the
company can be open to legal liability for slip
and fall accidents.
COATINGS THAT MEET THE STANDARD
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD COMMERCIAL FLOORING BE
CLEANED?
Again, the law provides no standards for the
frequency of cleaning commercial flooring. The
responsibility lies with the business owner.
Cleaning frequency should be determined by how
contaminated the floors become during the course
of a typical business day. Most retail
businesses can clean floors once per day,
followed by regular inspections for spills that
could lead to slip and fall accidents. Hourly
inspections are considered normal practice in
most businesses. If a hazardous condition is
reported between inspections, prompt cleaning
within 10-15 minutes of the report is generally
considered reasonable.
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HOW SHOULD COMMERCIAL FLOORING BE CLEANED?

• Abrasive anti-slip flooring and floor coatings
  generally tear up regular mops quickly.
• Commercial businesses can clean floors by
• Thoroughly sweeping, including nooks and crannies
  where debris likes to hide.
• Use a commercial-grade mop or floor scrubber and
  commercial-grade mopping solution. Mix and use
  according to the package instructions.

1. Treat stains with commercial-grade mopping
   solution and a hard-bristled brush.
2. Supplement regular cleanings with a quality floor
   buffing to maintain shine.
3. Pay attention to the wear and tear on the floor
   coating, particularly in heavy-traffic areas.
   Re-coat when necessary.

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TRAINING WORKERS ON FLOOR CLEANING AND
INSPECTIONS

• Since most business owners depend on cleaning and
  maintenance staff to keep floors in good shape,
  training these employees to identify and address
  floor issues that affect the appearance and
  safety of the business is essential.
• First, set up policies to address floor cleaning
  and maintenance issues, as well as a log
  indicating reports of safety issues and what was
  done to address each of these reports.
• All employees should be trained to check floors
  for spills. Employees should have a specific
  procedure to follow when cleaning or safety
  issues arise.
• Keep Wet Floor signs handy to set up until the
  cleaning crew can address spills.
• Cleaning and maintenance staff should have the
  appropriate materials and equipment on hand at
  all times to clean up spills that could lead to
  slip and fall accidents.
• Pay particular attention to entranceways during
  inclement weather, including ice, snow, and rain.
  Absorbent mats are good for keeping these areas
  slip-free, but mats can sometimes roll up and
  become tripping hazards. Train employees to keep
  mats in place and to remove mats that are in the
  way.

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OTHER POTENTIAL SLIP AND FALL FLOOR HAZARDS TO
ADDRESS
Aside from spills and wet floors, other hazards
can lead to accidents and potential litigation.
Address these situations immediately

• Damaged flooring that could cause people to trip.
  Repair damaged flooring as soon as possible.
• Wires laid across walkways that could cause trips
  and falls. Install plugs where needed, so no
  wires have to be strewn across walkways.
• Paint used on concrete should always be abrasive
  to prevent slips. Paint over any slick paint used
  on floors or parking lots with an abrasive
  concrete paint.

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WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE DOES SLIP AND FALL

• Even the most cautious and conscientious
  businesses sometimes have accidents. Take these
  steps to reduce your chances of facing
  litigation.
• Get the victim comfortable. Do not move anyone
  that potentially has neck or back injuries.
• Call for emergency help. Even if the person
  insists they are okay, its better to have a
  medical professional check them out.
• Try to find what caused the person to slip and
  fall.
• Make note of the clothing and especially the
  footwear the person is wearing. Write down
  everything the fall victim says, exactly how they
  say it.
• As soon as the victim is removed from the scene,
  take photos of the area where the accident
  occurred. Try to find any witnesses to the
  accident and get their statements.
• Avoid making any public statements about the
  cause of the accident. Fill out your internal
  accident reports, sticking to the factual
  information only, no speculation.
• If necessary, contact your insurance company
  regarding an accident claim.

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equipment, but not all can afford the pricey new
models. PS Janitorial doesnt just sell used
equipment, we offer high-quality refurbished
floor sweepers, floor scrubbers, and buffers,
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of quality. For more information and to view PS
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www.psjanitorial.com.
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Sources https//www.issa.com/data/files/articles
/88/StandardsofCareGuidelines_JD.pdf
http//www.astm.org/Standards/D2047.htm
Image Attributions Slide 1 Photo 1439458 is
provided by http//www.freeimages.com/
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Summary Well-cleaned and well-maintained
commercial flooring doesn't just make your
business look great, it can also impact your
chances of facing litigation for slip and fall
accidents. Learn how to keep floors clean and cut
down your legal liability.