Anti-slip solutions for hospitals and care homes have to combine safety, hygiene and smooth day-to-day operations. Patients, residents, visitors and staff all share the same floors, and frequent mopping, spilt liquids and wet rooms increase the risk of slipping.
For your staff: non-slip white hygiene work shoes with scale-pattern sole – non-marking and suitable for wipe disinfection.
This page is aimed at facility managers, estates and maintenance teams, and procurement in hospitals and care facilities. Antirutschprofi helps you select slip-resistant products for corridors, stairs, sanitary areas and treatment rooms. Advice for private households can be found on our page on anti-slip solutions for older people.
Typical slip hazards in hospitals and care homes
- Freshly mopped corridors during and after routine cleaning
- Patient bathrooms, assisted bathrooms and shower areas
- Ward kitchens, tea kitchens and dining rooms
- Stairwells with smooth steps and poorly visible edges
- Entrance areas where rain and snow are tracked in
- Transitions between different floor coverings
- External stairs, ramps and access routes to emergency exits
Anti-slip solutions for hospitals and care homes
Slip-resistant flooring for care facilities
Smooth floor coverings can be made safer in several ways. For tiles, there is an anti-slip floor treatment that increases surface grip without replacing the covering. A trial area is recommended first to check effectiveness, appearance and cleaning behaviour.
Anti-slip solutions for wet areas in hospitals
In showers, assisted bathrooms and changing rooms, people often walk barefoot. Separate classes A, B and C apply here. Suitable solutions for these zones can be found under non-slip barefoot and wet areas. Choose products that are compatible with your disinfectants.
Retrofitting non-slip stairs in hospitals
Clearly visible, grippy step edges help people with impaired vision or an unsteady gait. Stair nosing in a contrasting colour can be fitted to existing stairs. Alternatively, anti-slip strips improve grip on the tread.
Handrails with a secure grip
For many patients and residents, handrails are the most important support. An anti-slip handrail cover improves grip, even with damp hands. Check that the surface fits in with your cleaning and disinfection plan.
Non-slip mats for care homes
Mats are suitable for entrance areas, kitchens and staff workstations. In residents’ areas, mats should lie flat and not form edges that walking frames or wheelchairs can catch on. An overview is available under anti-slip mats.
Marking escape routes
Clear wayfinding is essential for evacuation. Photoluminescent escape route marking complements emergency lighting. Agree the requirements with your fire safety officer.
Selection: what matters
Slip resistance: for staff work areas, Annex 2 of the German workplace regulation ASR A1.5 ‘Floors’ gives guidance on the ratings R9 to R13. Classes A, B and C apply to barefoot areas. The specific classification follows from your own risk assessment.
Substrate: tiles, linoleum, vinyl and natural stone react differently to treatments and adhesives. Clarify beforehand which floor covering is installed and whether the flooring manufacturer’s warranty may be affected.
Cleaning: hygiene takes priority in hospitals. A grippy surface must not make cleaning disproportionately difficult. Agree your choice with your infection control lead and cleaning team. Versions with test certificates for resistance to specific cleaning agents or disinfectants are available on request.
Fixing: self-adhesive solutions can be applied quickly and with little noise. Screw-fixed profiles last longer. In occupied areas, odour, dust and closure times play an important role.
How your enquiry works
- You describe the areas concerned, the floor coverings and your cleaning requirements, ideally with photos.
- We agree suitable products with you and name the test certificates available.
- You receive a quotation that you can review internally with infection control, estates and procurement.
Matching products
A selection from our range. We are happy to provide sizes, versions, prices and lead times on request.
Comfort Flow drainage anti-fatigue mat
Item no. DD-MA-4586
Free-draining workstation mat for wet areas exposed to grease, oil or chemicals, such as commercial kitchens, food processing plants or hospital wash-up areas.
- Closed-cell nitrile rubber, open drainage structure
- Antimicrobial treatment, static-dissipative
- Washable, autoclavable, dishwasher-safe
Hygienic workstation mat for food areas
Item no. DD-ERG-EH
EPDM mat for food processing and medical work areas with broad chemical and pH resistance. Available in several colours for zoning concepts; the 60 × 90 cm size is autoclavable.
- EPDM, 11 mm
- Colours green, grey, blue, red
- Autoclavable (60 × 90 cm)
R13 anti-slip safety mat
Item no. DD-AK-SICHERHEITSMATTE
Weatherproof PVC covering with a granulated surface for entrances, access walkways, balconies and workstations. Traps dirt, withstands pressure washing and is available on the roll or as ready-made mats.
- R13 / V10 (IFA)
- Fire class Bfl-s1
- Weather-resistant, -25 to +60 °C
Aqua anti-slip tape for barefoot areas
Item no. DD-GRP-3000011-TR
Anti-slip tape for barefoot areas such as showers, bathrooms, swimming pools and boats. Adheres to tiles, glass, enamel and acrylic.
- For bare feet
- Transparent and four RAL colours
- Rolls 25/50/100 mm × 18 m
Comfort Premier anti-fatigue mat
Item no. DD-MA-5594
Solid comfort mat in nitrile rubber with a permanent antimicrobial treatment that can be autoclaved and washed. Suitable for operating theatres, catering and machine workstations.
- 13 mm, resistant to oil, grease and chemicals
- Autoclavable and industrially washable
- Suitable for welding areas according to the manufacturer
Super Safe Ergo barefoot safety mat
Item no. DD-ERG-SSE
EPDM mat with suction cups on the underside that grip securely on wet floors. For wet and slippery areas; antimicrobial, with an ergonomic surface profile.
- Suction cups for wet floors
- Antimicrobial additive
- EPDM, 22 mm
Hygimat hygienic anti-fatigue mat
Item no. DD-CB-HYS010002
Lightweight gel-foam mat with a closed-cell structure that neither liquids nor dirt can penetrate. Antibacterial, oil-resistant and steam-sterilisable – for food production, catering and hospitals.
- Slip resistance R11 to DIN 51130
- Antibacterial and mould-resistant
- Reaction to fire BS EN 13501-1 Dfl-s1
Suitable safety footwear
For nursing, cleaning and kitchens in hospitals: light, white occupational shoes (EN ISO 20347, no toe cap) with slip-resistant sole – where toe protection is required, we advise on S2/S3.
Occupational shoe XENO (OB)
item no. DD-BS-CA-B0551-SWC
- Protection class: OB A E SR
- Sole: PU sole (single density)
- Sizes: 35-48
Occupational shoe RADON (OB)
item no. DD-BS-CA-B0553-SWC
- Protection class: OB A E SR
- Sole: PU sole (single density)
- Sizes: 35-48
Occupational shoe K-YOUNG (O1)
item no. DD-BS-CA-B1008-0WA
- Protection class: O1 SRC
- Sole: Adaptive TPU sole (trainer style)
- Sizes: 36-48
WaterHog Diamond entrance mat
Item no. DD-MA-4208
Two-level entrance mat with rubber-reinforced nubs that traps water and dirt. In winter, for covered entrances and porches. Further patterns and border options are available under their own product numbers (4228, 4270, 4280, 4281, 4282).
- Indoor and outdoor, unaffected by de-icing salt
- PVC-free rubber backing, antistatic
- Optional magnetic MatGrip system
Wet Step wet-area mat
Item no. DD-MA-7789
Low-profile, closed-cell nitrile rubber mat for slippery wet areas such as changing rooms, showers, pool and spa surrounds, as well as operating theatres and preparation rooms. Drainage holes let water drain away; autoclavable and suitable for industrial washing.
- 6.35 mm nitrile rubber foam, grey or blue
- 60 × 90, 90 × 150 or 90 × 300 cm
- ASTM C1028-96: static coefficient of friction dry 0.99 / wet 0.82
Rib-Lock mat anchoring system
Item no. DD-MA-RIB-LOCK
Self-adhesive anchor strip for the floor into which the ribs on the back of the mat lock. Stops mats from shifting – especially logo and entrance mats – and stays invisible beneath the mat.
- Hold does not weaken even after many wash cycles (unlike hook-and-loop fasteners)
- Quick to install, no added weight
- For indoor use
FAQ: anti-slip solutions for hospitals and care homes
How can care facilities get slip-resistant flooring without relaying the floor?
With a surface treatment or retrofit products: tiles can be given an anti-slip treatment, while strips, coatings or mats are options for other coverings. A trial area shows how the solution performs with your cleaning regime.
How can hospital stairs be retrofitted to be non-slip?
Stair nosing or anti-slip strips in a contrasting colour are the usual approach. They improve grip and make the steps easier to see; an anti-slip handrail cover is a useful addition.
Which non-slip mats are suitable for care homes?
Flat, easy-to-clean mats without raised edges are best. In residents’ areas, walking frames and wheelchairs should be able to pass over them without difficulty; for kitchens and staff areas, there are robust workstation mats.
What anti-slip solutions are there for wet areas in hospitals?
Coverings, mats and treatments designed for barefoot classes A, B and C are available for showers and assisted bathrooms. Check compatibility with your disinfectants beforehand.
Safe floors protect patients, residents and staff alike. Tell us about your facility and its critical areas, and we will put together suitable anti-slip solutions for your hospital or care home.