Economic Comparisons

The Value of SAFEGUARD® Covers

The danger of pedestrians slipping and falling is ever-present. When a problem area is identified, an employer or facility manager has a number of options:

Ignore it. This is not a prudent course of action.

In addition to its effect on employee morale, it can be by far the most costly course to take.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company reported that employers spent $6.9 billion in 2003 on wage payments and medical care for workers sustaining injuries resulting from slips and falls on the same level, representing a real growth of 32.3% over the 1999 – 2003 period.

Install Non-Slip Tapes.

Tapes can serve a purpose as an immediate and temporary fix. However:

Their life is very limited and their effectiveness is suspect.
Regular replacement multiplies their original cost many times over in a five year period.

Apply a Non-Slip Paint/Coating.

Several costs must be considered:

The surface must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared if the treatment is to last at all – time consuming and costly.
Area must be cordoned off during application and curing/drying
The low grit concentration is not fully effective in preventing slips and falls
Wear, especially on the leading edge of steps, can lead to costly slips
At least two replacements can be expected during a five year period
Coefficient of Friction Value declines dramatically when water, oil or other substance is introduced
Known to delaminate and peel off in large sections.

Non Slip Flooring

Install SAFEGUARD® Covers.

Least expensive in the long run!

Easily installed – retrofitted over existing surfaces
Installation is quick, easy, and requires little or no downtime
Extremely effective in eliminating slips
Worn and damaged treads need not be replaced – cover with SAFEGUARD® Step Covers
Worn or damaged inlays in concrete steps need not be removed and replaced – again, cover with SAFEGUARD® Step Covers
Life expectancy at least five years even in heavily trafficked areas