An anti-slip coating for chequer plate and tread plate restores permanent grip on worn or slippery metal surfaces – without replacing the component. Chequer plate and tread plate are considered slip-resistant – as long as they are new, clean and dry. In practice they quickly lose their effect: the raised pattern wears down along the walking lines, oil and moisture settle in the gaps, and in winter ice forms on the smooth base surface. A seamless anti-slip coating for metal surfaces solves this for the long term.
Why chequer plate alone is not enough
- Slip resistance comes only from the raised teardrop or rib pattern, not from the surface itself – between the raised areas the plate is smooth.
- Oil, grease, swarf, mud and cleaning agents fill the gaps and effectively cancel out the pattern.
- Water, hoar frost and ice turn the smooth areas into a sliding surface.
- On walkways the raised pattern wears flat after a few years.
- Bright or galvanised plates also cause glare, which reduces safe footing when walking towards the light.
Anti-slip coating methods at a glance
Several methods are available to make metal permanently slip-resistant. The choice depends on loading, component size and whether the work is carried out on site or in the workshop.
- Polyurea spray coating: two-component, cures within seconds to minutes and forms a seamless, elastic and extremely abrasion-resistant layer. Slip resistance up to R13 depending on the system and broadcast aggregate, with test evidence. Resistance to temperature, UV and chemicals depends on the specific system; data from the manufacturer’s data sheet available on request. Suitable for large areas and complex geometries.
- Epoxy or polyurethane coating with broadcast aggregate: a proven solution for fixed surfaces with a predictable curing time; very good adhesion to prepared steel.
- Self-adhesive anti-slip covering: prefabricated, precisely contoured cut pieces for individual steps, tread plates and landings – the fastest retrofit with no spraying or painting.
- Screw-fixed profiles and anti-slip sheets: where mechanical loads are very high or the option of later removal needs to be kept open.
Properties of a polyurea anti-slip coating
- Seamless: no joints, edges or butt joints where moisture can creep underneath.
- Fast: can be walked on after a short time, so downtime is very short.
- Elastic and impact-resistant: accommodates movement in the substrate without cracking – important for steel components that flex.
- Additional protection: a closed layer can keep water and salts away from the metal; how well it protects against corrosion depends on surface preparation and the coating build-up.
- Adjustable slip resistance: from a fine texture for indoor walkways up to R13 for outdoor and wet areas.
- Durability: service life depends on wear, substrate and maintenance; the manufacturer provides system-specific data.
- Colour: full-surface or as contrasting marking of hazard and edge areas.
Typical components and applications
- Chequer plate and tread plate floors on platforms, landings, walkways and maintenance levels
- Steel stairs, treads, access ladders and access steps on machinery and plant
- Load beds, loading ramps and footboards on commercial vehicles and trailers
- Scaffold boards and working platforms
- Steel structures, bridge decks and inspection gantries in bridge construction
- Locks, jetties, pontoons and water management installations
- Offshore and port facilities with constant exposure to salt water
- Manhole covers, access covers and drainage gratings
Surface preparation determines adhesion
Almost every coating that fails prematurely does so not because of the material but because of the preparation. On metal, the following applies:
- Remove all loose rust and old coating residues completely, usually by blasting to the required cleanliness grade.
- Degrease oil, grease and release agents without leaving residues – including in the recesses of the chequer plate.
- Check moisture and dew point; the surface temperature must be sufficiently above the dew point.
- Use a suitable primer on galvanised surfaces, as zinc is a special case.
- Apply the coating within the time window specified by the system manufacturer after preparation.
An anti-slip coating does not replace structural safety measures. It is the right solution where an existing, sound surface needs to be made safe to walk on.
Standards and assessment criteria
- DIN 51130 – slip resistance R9 to R13 for work areas where footwear is worn.
- DIN 51130 / displacement space V4 to V10 – relevant where liquids or swarf need to drain away.
- ASR A1.5 – German workplace rule on requirements for floors and traffic routes in workplaces.
- ASR A1.5 – floors in workplaces; Annex 2 assigns slip resistance classes to work areas (the former German DGUV Rule 108-003 has been withdrawn).
- DIN EN ISO 12944 – corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems, including corrosivity categories.
Retrofit or replace? Doing the maths
Replacing a corroded chequer plate floor means removal, fabrication, transport, installation and plant downtime. A coating, on the other hand, works with the existing component:
- No removal, no welding or bolting on load-bearing parts
- Work in sections, often during planned maintenance windows
- Corrosion protection at the same time extends the life of the component
- Added benefit of colour-coding edges and hazard points
- Lower weight than an overlay of plates or gratings
Conclusion
An anti-slip coating for chequer plate and tread plate permanently restores safe footing on metal surfaces while protecting the component against corrosion. Properly prepared and applied, it is far more cost-effective than replacement – and works exactly where chequer plate reaches its limits: with water, oil, ice and wear.
FAQ: anti-slip coating for chequer plate
Why is chequer plate slippery when wet?
Chequer plate is slippery when wet because the raised teardrops only provide grip at certain points. With wear, oil, water or ice, slip resistance drops significantly. A coating creates a closed, grippy surface.
Does the plate need to be derusted before coating?
Yes, rust, grease and loose particles must be removed before coating. On galvanised surfaces a primer may be needed, depending on the system. Preparation determines durability.
Is a coating cheaper than replacement?
Often, yes, because there is no removal and no downtime. Whether it pays off depends on the condition of the plate. With severe corrosion, replacement may make more sense.
Related solutions and sectors
- Retrofitting anti-slip protection on metal stairs
- Making dock levellers and loading ramps non-slip
- Anti-slip coating for offshore and shipbuilding
- Anti-slip protection for vehicle load beds
- Anti-slip floor coatings from R9 to R13
Further information (in German): DGUV Information 208-041: assessing slip hazards under operating conditions
Make metal surfaces permanently non-slip
- Free consultation – the right method for your component and its loading
- Define the slip resistance class – from a fine texture up to R13
- On site or in the workshop – scheduled around your operations
- Corrosion protection included – one operation, two benefits
Enquire now – we will assess your metal surfaces and propose the right anti-slip coating.