Since their development in the early 90s to help prevent slip and fall accidents and avert workers compensation claims, anti-slip coating systems have been successfully applied in Western Canada on up to 25,000 tons of structural steel. Polyurethane finish coats that contain judiciously selected polyolefin bead media have been found to greatly improve the footing for ironworkers during erection of structural steel and also improve the loading and unloading of steel beams.

This paper describes the process in solving the ironworkers safety concerns with anti-slip coating systems for structural steel. Aspects of slipping have been outlined as well as current SSPC-AISC task force activity in testing for slip resistance. The results of the author's studies to measure slip indices of 20 coating systems (with four different types of generic finishes) have been discussed. The results are important in light of the fact that for structural steel on new construction, over the next 5 years OSHA will phase-in the requirement for anti-slip coatings to have a slip index value of 0.5 English slip units (ESU).

Case histories exemplify the success of anti-slip coating systems in new construction projects in the pulp and paper industry.

Subject
Zinc rich coatings, Coating application, Steel surfaces, Top coats, Pulp, Beads, Polyurethanes, Polyurethane coatings, Steel, Slip, Coating systems, Enamels, Acrylics
© 2002 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. This work is protected by both domestic and international copyright laws. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2002
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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