Could a slippery kitchen floor in Gloucester break workplace rules?

Yes, a slippery kitchen floor in a commercial premises in Gloucester can break workplace rules. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851 (Industrial Establishments), s.11(b) says a floor used by any worker shall not have "any finish or protective material used on it that is likely to make the surface slippery." The Occupational Health and Safety Act defines an industrial establishment to include a shop or office, so a commercial kitchen falls within that definition.

That rule does not set a slip-resistance number. No DCOF value, pendulum score or other test figure is written into Reg. 851, the 2024 Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24) or the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act as a legal threshold. A slip-resistance figure in a contractor's quote is a product claim to compare, not a legal minimum. The obligation in s.11(b) is the wording itself: the finish shall not be likely to make the surface slippery.

O. Reg. 493/17 (Food Premises), s.7(1)(c) adds a separate requirement: a food premise shall be operated and maintained so that floors in rooms where food is prepared, handled or served are tight, smooth and non-absorbent. That rule is enforced by Ottawa Public Health, which inspects food premises in Gloucester. If you are planning to re-floor the kitchen, ask OPH before booking the work, because OPH asks to be notified when a food premises is significantly renovated, and we found nothing that settles whether a re-coat counts as significant.

A few things worth checking before any work starts:

• If the floor has old vinyl tile or black mastic, have it tested for asbestos before any grinding. O. Reg. 490/09 lists asbestos as a designated substance, and OHSA s.30(1) requires the owner to determine whether designated substances are present and prepare a list before a project begins.
• Floor coating work is likely treated as construction under the OHSA. Before work starts, obtain a WSIB clearance certificate from the contractor and keep it on file. WSIB policy 14-02-19 says a principal who retains a contractor for construction work must have a clearance in effect throughout the job. The householder exemption does not apply to a business.
• Ask the contractor for the safety data sheet for every product being applied. OHSA s.38(1.1) says the employer shall make a copy of the SDS readily available to workers who may be exposed. Section 2 of the SDS covers hazards; Section 9 covers flash point.

Anti-slip texture is added by broadcasting aggregate such as aluminium oxide or quartz into a coat. Ask the contractor which aggregate they propose, what surface profile they will achieve, and how they will confirm the result meets the s.11(b) standard for your specific conditions, including wet areas and any grease exposure.

If your floor is in a barrier-free path of travel, the 2024 Ontario Building Code, s.3.8.1.3.(2), also requires that walking surface to be stable, firm and slip-resistant.

The request form on this site sends your details to local floor coating contractors listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory, if you want quotes from contractors familiar with Gloucester commercial kitchens.