Corrected against current Queensland and Australian government guidance on 20 July 2026.

Industrial floor safety is not created by choosing a coating name or the highest-looking slip rating. The floor has to suit the work, likely contaminants, people, footwear, cleaning, drainage, traffic and changes in use. Those factors also determine what evidence, testing and maintenance the project needs.

This guide is general planning information for Queensland workplaces. It does not replace a site-specific work health and safety risk assessment, the project specification, manufacturer instructions or advice from the responsible WHS, design and testing professionals.

What Queensland workplace law says about floors

Section 40 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Queensland) requires, so far as is reasonably practicable, that floors and other surfaces are designed, installed and maintained to allow work to be carried out without risk to health and safety. The same section addresses workplace layout, movement, lighting and ventilation.

Section 39 concerns suitable and adequate information, training and instruction for workers. It is not a flooring specification. Sections 34 to 38 cover identifying hazards, managing risk, applying the hierarchy of controls and maintaining and reviewing control measures. A floor can be one control within that broader system, but a coating alone does not discharge every workplace duty.

There is no universal safe slip rating

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland states that there is no single correct or safe level of slip resistance. Suitability depends on the surface, contaminants, tasks, cleaning method, users, footwear, activity and environmental conditions.

Slip-test classifications can be useful evidence, but a label should not be selected in isolation. The project team should identify:

  • whether the area is normally dry, wet, greasy, dusty or exposed to mixed contaminants;
  • the people using it, their footwear and whether they carry loads, push trolleys or turn quickly;
  • ramps, doorways, drains, changes in level and transitions between floor finishes;
  • the cleaning products, equipment and frequency that will be used in practice;
  • how wear, spills and changed operations will be monitored; and
  • which current test method, acceptance criteria and competent person the project documents require.

Ask for test data that represents the proposed finished system and relevant conditions. If independent on-site testing is required, agree the method, locations, timing and acceptance process before installation rather than after handover.

Map the real hazards before selecting a system

Contamination and cleaning

List water, oils, food, powders, chemicals and other material that can reach the floor. Record concentration, temperature, contact time and spill response where relevant. General terms such as "chemical resistant" or "heavy duty" are not enough to select a resin system.

Incorrect cleaning can leave residue or damage texture. WorkSafe Queensland's floor-cleaning guidance recommends methods that leave a clean, dry surface, avoid product build-up and preserve the floor's slip-resistant properties. Cleaning should follow the installed system's instructions and the contaminants present.

Traffic, loads and movement

Document pedestrians, forklifts, pallet jacks, wheel materials, turning and braking zones, dropped items, static loads and traffic changes. The open centre of a warehouse can have different needs from doorways, loading areas, narrow aisles and machinery surrounds.

Substrate, drainage and transitions

Inspect the concrete for existing coatings, contamination, weak or dusty areas, cracks, joints, repairs, moisture concerns, falls and drainage. Treat movement joints and transitions as designed details. A resin coating or self-smoothing layer should not be used to conceal unresolved movement, water entry or an unsuitable substrate.

Food premises have separate floor requirements

For areas covered by Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.3, floors must be appropriate for the activities, able to be effectively cleaned, impervious to grease, food particles and water, and not provide harbourage for pests, subject to the Standard's scope and exceptions. The official Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidance explains these requirements.

Standard 3.2.3 does not prescribe a blanket R10, R11, R12 or R13 rating for every food area. Food-safety cleanability and workplace slip risk both need to be addressed, and the appropriate surface can differ between a dry store, preparation area, coolroom, wash area and loading zone. Confirm local regulator, building, workplace and project requirements for the actual premises.

Compare flooring systems using documented evidence

Epoxy, polyurethane-cement and other resin systems have different limits. The name of the resin does not establish suitability. Compare the complete build-up, including preparation, primer, body coats, texture and topcoat, against current manufacturer documentation.

A useful specification or quotation should identify:

  • the assumed slab condition and required surface preparation;
  • the exact products, layers, nominal coverage or build and finish;
  • permitted substrate and ambient conditions during application;
  • chemical-resistance data for the actual substances and exposure;
  • traffic, impact, temperature, UV and washdown limitations;
  • texture, cleaning implications and any defined slip-performance evidence;
  • recoat and return-to-service conditions for foot, vehicle, washdown and chemical exposure;
  • treatment of cracks, joints, coves, drains, penetrations and edges; and
  • handover records, maintenance instructions, exclusions and warranty conditions.

Installation and handover affect ongoing safety

Preparation and application must follow the selected system's technical requirements. The project should also address site isolation, dust and silica controls, ventilation, other trades, access and cure conditions. Conditions outside the product limits can affect adhesion, cure and finish.

At handover, retain the product names, technical and safety data, colour and batch records where available, cleaning instructions, repair method, inspection findings and any agreed test results. These records help the workplace maintain and review the floor as a control measure.

Maintenance must respond to actual condition

A generic monthly or annual schedule is not automatically suitable. Inspection and cleaning frequency should reflect exposure, use, past incidents and manufacturer guidance. High-contamination and high-turning areas may need more attention than dry low-traffic zones.

  • Remove spills and loose contamination using the site's documented procedure.
  • Use compatible cleaners, dilution, pads and equipment.
  • Check drains, joints, transitions, doorways and turning areas for local wear.
  • Record peeling, blistering, cracking, loss of texture, residue or changed slip behaviour.
  • Review the risk assessment when the process, contaminant, traffic, footwear or cleaning method changes.
  • Arrange competent assessment or testing when performance is uncertain.

Industrial flooring safety questions

Is epoxy flooring non-slip?

No floor is universally non-slip. The finished texture, contaminant, footwear, slope, cleaning and wear all affect slip risk. Describe the conditions and specify appropriate evidence for the completed system.

Which slip rating does a warehouse need?

There is no single rating for every warehouse. The responsible project team should assess each zone and identify the current test method and acceptance criteria that apply to the facility and its use.

Does a glossy floor have to be slippery?

Appearance alone is not a reliable measure. A surface can behave differently when dry, wet or contaminated. Use risk assessment, product evidence and appropriate testing rather than judging by gloss.

Who confirms compliance?

Responsibility should be defined in the project documents. A flooring contractor can provide product and installation information within its scope, while the workplace or project may also require a WHS adviser, designer, certifier, manufacturer or independent testing provider.

Plan a site-specific flooring scope

Wirth Floor installs selected epoxy flooring systems and provides concrete preparation for suitable Brisbane and South East Queensland projects. Request a floor assessment with photos, the floor area, current surface, traffic, contaminants, cleaning, drainage and shutdown requirements.

This article provides general planning information only and is not legal, WHS, engineering or certification advice. Check the current law, project documents and manufacturer data, and obtain competent site-specific advice where required.