How Platform & Step Gratings Improve Workplace Safety in Factories and Plants

Gratings that are used on step and platform surfaces fall under the category of public safety; as such, they provide a major safeguard against injuries caused by slips and falls. Grating manufacturers design these solutions to help industries reduce slip-related risks and meet safety standards. Although not all have gratings installed in the workplace, installing gratings can help to prevent damage to workers and aid compliance with various regulatory agencies.

What Are Platform and Step Gratings?

Platform gratings are installed in elevated positions above floor level, while stairway or step gratings are intended specifically for use as steps on staircases or ladders. No matter what type of grating is selected for a given application, the materials used must be chosen based on the specific load requirements. Common materials used in gratings include aluminum, steel, and fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP).

Highlighted advantages of all gratings are as follows:

• Serrated surface characteristics enhance traction, even when a grating becomes oil- or water-soaked.
• Open-grid designs allow for drainage of pooled liquids and the exclusion of foreign matter.
• All gratings must be able to stand heavy loads, as defined by ANSI standards.

What Are Gratings and How Do They Protect Against Slip and Fall Injuries?

Gratings create a non-slip surface through strong grip and drainage characteristics and help reduce slip accident-related injuries in abundance in the manufacturing and other industries.

In fact, nearly 500,000 workplace injuries occur as a result of slip/fall accidents every year, with approximately 16% of those injuries occurring in the manufacturing industry. The serrated surfaces of platform and step gratings grip shoes to provide additional support for workers walking on wet and/or slippery surfaces (i.e., oil or water). The design of gratings allows fluids and other debris to pass through the gaps in the grates, creating a dry working surface compared to the solid ground where fluid may accumulate.

Gratings help reduce lost time, medical costs, and increase employee confidence while performing elevated work or climbing or descending stairs.

Types of Industrial Gratings

Different grating types maximize safety and efficiency based on site needs.

Type	Best Use	Benefit
Welded Bar	Heavy machinery platforms	Maximum load strength
Serrated Bar	Wet or oily areas	Superior slip resistance
Grip Strut®	Chemical plants	High traction & drainage
Expanded Metal	Stairs, catwalks	Lightweight and sturdy
FRP	Electrical and corrosive environments	Non-conductive, corrosion-resistant

Which Industries Use Gratings?

Chemicals, oil & gas, power, and warehousing all rely on gratings to support their Safety Programs.

Grating is typically used in Manufacturing applications where there is a potential for falling due to wet or slippery surfaces near machinery and elevated walkways. Chemical manufacturers rely heavily on corrosion-resistant (FRP) products to help protect against the various types of chemical spills. Oil and gas producers, as well as power companies, use grating solutions because of their non-conductive properties, strength, and durability when used in hazardous and/or high-temperature environments. Warehouses install these types of products on their receiving or loading docks to provide slip-resistant surfaces in compliance with OSHA standards.

Safety Standards for Gratings

All gratings must meet the safety and compliance requirements of the OSHA, ANSI, ASTM and ISO standards in order to provide safe walking surfaces.

According to OSHA standard 1910.28, all elevated surfaces that have a fall distance of over four feet must provide slip-resistant surfaces and guardrail protection. ANSI A1264.1 and ANSI A14.3 provide load capabilities and surface characteristics. The ASTM industry standard governs material selection and corrosion protection requirements. The European and ISO standards also contain guidance on design criteria for safety and durability in industrial settings.

Selecting the Right Grating

When selecting grating, you want to pay attention to load (top load), environment, material, spacing (bar distance), and surface requirements.

You should review the maximum weight a grating will hold based on the ANSI load class (Light to Special Duty) and then you want material(s) based on what type of exposure the area will be experiencing; for example, galvanized steel in wet areas, stainless steel in hygienic areas, FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) in chemical/electrical hazard areas.

Bar spacing on the grating is important for both drainage and safety; using a tighter spacing helps prevent small items from falling through. Some surface finishes (e.g., serrated/rough/grip) provide added slip-resistant properties.

Benefits of Having Safety Gratings:

The economic advantages of having safety gratings include fewer employee injuries; reduced workers’ compensation claims; reduced insurance premiums; and increased employee productivity.

Safety gratings reduce workers’ compensation claims, which also results in lower insurance premiums. Safety gratings are easier to keep clean than solid floors due to their open design, and therefore reduce the amount of time spent on cleaning. With proper safety measures in place, employees are able to work with less fear of injury, thus increasing their productivity as shown in case studies of multiple industrial companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should gratings be inspected and maintained?
Quarterly visual checks for wear and secure fastening are recommended, with annual professional inspections for load capacity and corrosion.

Can existing floors be retrofitted with gratings?
Yes, many manufacturers offer custom sizes and retrofit solutions to upgrade safety without major rebuilding.

How long do gratings typically last?
Galvanized steel gratings last 20-30 years; stainless steel can exceed 40 years. FRP lasts 25-30 years depending on conditions.

Are safety gratings ADA compliant?
Standard grating may not meet ADA due to gap sizes; however, ADA-compliant options with tighter spacing or infill panels are available.

Who are top grating manufacturers?
EarthTech Engineering is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality Metal Gratings, including MS, GI, SS, Platform, Step, Circular, and Drain Gratings.

Ready to enhance your factory’s safety with expert content and strategy? Contact EarthTech Engineering to leverage data-driven content that boosts your brand visibility and customer trust.