Big River Timbers, noted timber specialist, has recently introduced an anti-slip plywood product, especially designed to reduce and prevent falls in several working environments.
Special Slip-Resistant Coating
Recommended to be used all over the healthcare, hospitality and construction sectors of Australia, the new product’s design showcases a slip-resistant coating intended to protect individuals against injuries, both in the outdoor and indoor workplace floors, walkways, ramps and platforms.
Locally manufactured in New South Wales, the plywood was specifically designed to be used in permanent ramps, construction sites and as flooring for medical environments, hospitals, aged care facilities and hospitality kitchens.
The anti-slip plywood is perfect for permanent or temporary ramps and flooring, as it features a special paint finish made out of crushed glass to ensure maximum slip and wear resistance, while the other side of the said panel has phenolic film for protection against moisture from external, wet and damp areas.
It has been tested for resistance in both dry and wet situations and this Big River anti-slip special plywood was able to comply with the highest levels indicated in the test.
The Dangers of Falls, Slips and Trips
According to Safe Work Australia’s recent report, illness and injury caused by workplace perils have a high impact on the economy, as lost productivity can reach up to AUS $60 billion annually or under 5 percent of the total gross domestic production.
For instance, in the hospitality sector, most particularly food preparation and kitchen facilities, falls and slips are among the most common causes of injuries. Ironically, they are the easiest to prevent, said a published report from WorkSafe Victoria. In restaurants and cafes, floors that have water or oil spills have been pointed out as the biggest cause of fall, trip and slip injuries. The new anti-slip plywood is perfect for these areas like doors that lead to the kitchen, cooking spots, dishwashing areas and freezers or cool rooms because these are where floor surface changes normally occur.
Lend Lease, considered as one of the leading construction and project management companies in the world, has already begun using the Big River anti-slip plywood on a recent project involving urban transformation at the western part of Sydney.
Grafton General Products, safety products manufacturer based in Perth, has also embraced the use of anti-slip plywood in several of their goods, which is being met with utmost enthusiasm by many of their domestic and commercial clients. Grafton General Products is the supplier of home modification products and wheelchair ramps to numerous hospitals, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Housing Department. The director of the company, Joe Galipo, said that the Big River anti-slip plywood has definitely proven its worth when it has not caused any kind of slippage incident even in extremely wet conditions.
A lot of workplaces which have anti-slip requirements generally use plywood materials which have stress grades of F11 and F14 – these paint coat finishes have no non-slip properties especially when applied to floors and walkways.
The anti-slip plywood, which is manufactured by Big River features a strength of F17 as certified by Australian Standards and in the test involving wet pedestrian surfaces, got a P5, which is the maximum rating.
