Can metal profile surfaces such as chequer plate be used to improve grip on things like steps, platforms and walking surfaces on vehicles?
Work is still being done on trying to properly understand the performance and properties of these ‘profiled’ floor surfaces but it is becoming clear that they often do not have the slip resistance qualities that people expect. Metal chequer plate is in widespread use such as on steps, gantries, vehicles and mobile work equipment. Experiences in practice indicate that metal profiles can be particularly slippery when wet. It is believed that the slipperiness of profiled metal surfaces is more closely linked to the surface microroughness of the top surface of the cleats (often very low microroughness) than any attributes of the cleat pattern, size and depth.
