Abstract

Between 1993 and 1995, over 12 800 occupational injuries in Québec were caused by falls and slips. The workplaces with the greatest number of these injuries were restaurants, hospitals, the provincial civil service, primary and secondary schools, and seniors' residences. The accumulation of grease and oil on floors is one of the main risk factors for slips. This study determined the optimal operating conditions for different types of floor cleaners. Cleaners were ranked as a function of their chemical nature, and the effectiveness of each category of cleaner in dislodging greases and oils determined for different types of flooring, cleaner concentrations, and wash and rinse water temperatures. The results of this study will help users identify the best conditions for each cleaner, in turn leading to a reduction in the risks of slips in their workplace.