Safety & Compliance · SOP
Winter Slip Prevention Entrance Matting And Ice Melt
Standardized procedure for deploying entrance matting systems and applying ice melt products to prevent slip hazards at building entrances during winter conditions. Reduces workplace injury risk and liability across industrial and commercial facilities.
Estimated Time
45 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Regulation
WorkSafeBC OHS
Version
1.0
Purpose
Establish a repeatable, auditable process for deploying entrance matting systems and applying ice melt products to eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards at all building ingress/egress points during winter precipitation events. This SOP ensures consistent hazard mitigation across shifts, reduces Workers' Compensation claims, and supports compliance with WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations Part 4 (General Conditions) and Part 8 (Personal Protective Equipment).
Scope
Applies to all building entrances, loading docks, vestibules, and high-traffic pedestrian transition zones across industrial manufacturing plants, warehouses, and commercial facilities. Covers both interior and exterior matting systems (scraper and wiper types), bulk ice melt storage and handling, manual and mechanical application methods, and end-of-day removal protocols. Excludes parking lot sweeping and snow removal operations beyond the entrance threshold.
Safety Precautions
- Lockout/Tagout all automated entrance systems (sliding doors, revolving doors, snow melt mats with embedded heating elements) before servicing, repositioning, or performing any maintenance.
- Wear slip-resistant boots with CSA Z195 Grade 1 rated soles, cut-resistant gloves (ANSI A5 minimum), and safety glasses (CSA Z94.3) when handling ice melt chemicals or positioning heavy matting.
- Store ice melt in sealed, labelled containers in a dry, ventilated area. Never mix calcium chloride with magnesium chloride or other de-icing agents — chemical reaction can produce toxic gas. Keep away from moisture and heat sources.
- Do not apply ice melt within 3 metres of storm drains, catch basins, or sensitive vegetation. Use only products approved by the local environmental authority (e.g., BC Ministry of Environment). Document any spills immediately.
Required Tools & Materials
- Heavy-duty entrance matting — scraper/wiper combination, minimum 15 ft (4.6 m) total run length per entrance
- Ice melt product — calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, industrial grade, in sealed 25 kg pails
- Push broom (48 in. poly bristle) or self-propelled walk-behind spreader for large entrances
- Rubber mallet (2.5 lb / 1.1 kg) for seating mat edges and corner weights
- Measuring tape (25 ft / 7.6 m) to verify mat placement and coverage area
- Safety cones (28 in. / 71 cm) and wet floor signs (collapsible A-frame)
- Personal protective equipment as listed in Safety Precautions section
- Storage bin with gasketed lid (50 gal / 189 L) for bulk ice melt containment
- Hand scraper / ice chipper (18 in. / 46 cm blade) for stubborn accumulation
- Absorbent pads (18×20 in. / 46×51 cm) for pooling water at interior mat junctions
Procedure: Step-by-Step
1
Pre-Treatment Inspection: Walk all entrance zones and identify existing ice buildup, standing water, mat displacement, or damaged matting. Document conditions on the daily safety log. Note any areas where ice melt has been washed away or mat edges have curled. Do not proceed until hazards are cordoned off with cones.
2
Deploy Primary Matting: Lay scraper mats (black, heavy-gauge rubber with open grid) directly at the exterior threshold — ensure the mat extends at least 4 ft (1.2 m) beyond the door swing. Follow immediately with wiper mats (grey, looped fabric or coir) inside the vestibule for a combined minimum length of 15 ft (4.6 m). Align mats perpendicular to the door swing for maximum contact.
3
Secure Matting: Using the rubber mallet, firmly seat all mat edges and corners to create a smooth, flat transition with the flooring surface. Verify there are no raised edges, curled corners, or gaps exceeding ¼ in. (6 mm) that could create trip points. Use mat edge ramps or bevel strips if needed.
4
Apply Ice Melt (Exterior): Broadcast ice melt evenly at a rate of 50 g/m² (approximately 1 cup per 3 m² or 35 ft²) across all exterior walkways, steps, and landing areas. Use a gloved hand or small scoop for precision; for entrances wider than 6 ft (1.8 m), use a push broom or walk-behind spreader set to the lowest flow rate. Avoid overspreading — excess chemical creates hazardous slurry and damages flooring.
5
Post-Application Wait: Allow 10–15 minutes for the ice melt to activate and begin breaking the bond between ice and the walking surface. Do not flush with water, sweep, or mechanically remove the treated layer during this period. Keep the area coned off if pedestrian traffic is heavy.
6
Monitor and Reapply: Re-inspect all treated zones every 2 hours during active precipitation (snow, freezing rain, or sleet). Reapply ice melt at half the initial rate (25 g/m²) if the surface is again slippery or if new accumulation is visible. Increase frequency to every 1 hour during freezing rain events.
7
Interior Water Management: Place absorbent pads at the junction between wiper mats and the interior finished floor. Replace pads immediately when saturated — standing water on the interior floor creates a secondary slip hazard. Use wet floor signs in any area where moisture is present.
8
End-of-Day Removal: At the end of the shift or when precipitation stops, remove all entrance mats and store them in a dry, ventilated area (do not stack wet mats — dry individually). Sweep and dry the interior floor completely. For exterior surfaces, if residual ice or slush remains, apply a final light broadcast of ice melt (25 g/m²) and leave signage in place.
9
Documentation: Record the following in the daily safety log: date/time of application, product name and lot number, application rate and total quantity used, weather conditions, any incidents or near-misses, and the name of the operator responsible. Submit the log to the safety supervisor before end of shift.