Kitchen Floors

Issue	Hazard	Possible solutions	Check it
Floor materials	Slipping or tripping whilst carrying food or drink.	Install non-slip linoleum or a similar type of impervious flooring which can be wet-mopped. Use only non-slip floor cleaners or polishes for floor maintenance. Check for any raised edges in flooring which might catch shoes, and joining strips at doorways where kitchen floor abuts office carpeting.
Obstruction	Cartons and boxes of recently-delivered food and drink left sitting on floor.	Check that there is enough 'off-the-floor' storage space for stocks of soft drinks, snack foods etc. Ensure that cartons and boxes are emptied ASAP following receipt and contents stored. Do not permit kitchen floors to be obstructed in such a way that they are unable to be wet-mopped and polished without difficulty.
Housekeeping	Spillages which have not been cleaned up. Disease from pests, vermin attracted to the area by food debris left in rubbish bins, on floor and underneath storage cupboards.	Ensure that floor is kept clean, free of litter and any spillages are immediately cleaned up. Provide a bin for disposal of food waste adjacent to the dishwasher, plus separate bins for other rubbish as per local collection services. (separate paper, glass, cans, plastic bottles etc) Encourage good housekeeping habits through regular inspections by OHS staff.

Further Information

Comcare Guidance Material
OHS Book 35 - Guide to preventing slips, trips and falls

OHS Book 34 - Guide to preventing slips, trips and falls (manager's guide)

OHS Book 10 - Identifying Hazards, Managing Risks

Further Information Other Guidance Material
ASCC Index of National Standards, Codes of Practice and related Guidance Notes

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Page last updated:June 23, 2008