Along with bathrooms, one of the most dangerous areas at home are stairs. They pose tripping and slipping risks for everyone: toddlers, teenagers, adults, and seniors alike. Learn how to make stairs slip-free and safe for all with the best and most efficient solutions.

When considering how to make stairs non slip, it is essential to choose solutions that deliver long term safety for all users by improving traction and ensuring lasting protection to improve stair safety.

According to Work Safe Queensland, slips, trips and falls are the second most common cause of sprain and strain related injuries. Moreover, they can lead to serious injuries that require hospitalisation.

The Work Health and Safety Act of 2011 specifies clear regulations to prevent slips and falls on stairs. However, in many residential and commercial staircase to not comply with these rules, especially when it concerns older properties.

Rules for Stairs – Work Health and Safety Act

In accordance to AS 1657, staircases should also have handrails installed and need to be easy to grasp. Stairways wider than 1000mm should have a handrail on each side. Furthermore, all risers and goings need to comply with the dimensions on the picture below.

To improve stair safety, special attention should be given to the step edges. The nosing or edge of each step must have clear visibility and enhanced slip resistance, as this is crucial for preventing accidents. The front edge of each step is the most critical area for slip prevention and should be treated with extra care, such as by applying non-slip tapes or stair nosing.

Newly build stairs almost always comply with the going and riser guidelines. However, many existing and newly build staircases do not comply with the Thread and Nosing Rules.

Thread and Nosing Rules (AS 1657)

• A tread should extend across the full width of the stairway
• A tread surface should be slip resistant (P3 slip-rating for indoor stairs, P4 for exterior stairs: AS 4586)
• Nosing/edge of step should be slip resistant, in good condition and clearly visible against the background (in all lighting conditions).
• Highlight isolated steps with nosing that is slip-resistant and in a different pattern/colour to the tread.

Understanding the Dangers of Slippery Stairs

Slippery stairs are a common safety hazard in both homes and commercial spaces, often leading to serious injuries from unexpected slips and falls. This risk is especially high for the elderly, young children, and anyone with mobility challenges, making stair safety a top priority for every property owner.

Several factors contribute to slippery stairs. Wooden stairs, for example, are known for their natural beauty but can become dangerously slick when wet, polished, or worn down by high foot traffic. Weather conditions, such as rain or humidity, can further increase the risk, especially on outdoor wooden stairs where moisture lingers and creates a slippery surface. Over time, regular wear can smooth out the treads, reducing traction and making slips more likely.

The consequences of ignoring these hazards can be severe, ranging from minor bruises to life-altering injuries. To prevent slipping and enhance traction, it's essential to address the root causes with effective anti slip solutions. Installing carpet treads or applying anti slip coatings are proven ways to create a non slip surface, significantly improving stair safety for everyone. By taking proactive steps to enhance grip and reduce the risk of falls, you can ensure your stairs remain safe, even in wet or high-traffic conditions.

How to Make Stairs Slip-Free & Safe for All?

Many stair treads are not slip-resistant or become slippery due to traffic. When considering how to make stairs non slip, it's important to choose the best solution for your specific needs—factors like high traffic areas, long-term effectiveness, and the type of surface all play a role. Selecting the right anti slip solution is key to ensuring an effective solution for stair safety that complies with the Australian Work Health and Safety Act.

Anti-slip Treatment

Anti-slip treatments are a very cheap solution to increase the roughness of a surface. Although many suppliers will be reluctant to admit it, all anti-slip treatment are based on acid. This highly corrosive and colourless liquid works by etching into the surface. Therefore, anti-slip treatments are known to cause staining.

After etching, sanding the surface can help create a textured surface, which is important for proper adhesion of anti-slip treatments. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions during application to ensure effectiveness.

Before application, it is important to thoroughly clean all areas, including inconspicuous areas such as corners and along risers, to remove dirt and dust for best results.

Due to the corrosive nature, anti-slip treatments can not be used on timber, natural stone or marble, including slippery wooden stairs. Moreover, it can be difficult to keep the surface clean as dirt will easily penetrate into the etched surface. For routine cleaning, mild soap and water can be used, but regular maintenance is required to keep the surface effective. Another disadvantage is that anti-slip treatments cannot be used to create a coloured strip on the edge of the stair nosing. There isn't a warranty on the slip-rating of a treatment either.

Slip-Free Tape

Non-slip tapes are available in several shapes and colours and are easy to install, typically featuring an adhesive backing that allows them to be firmly pressed onto stair surfaces. For best results, ensure proper adhesion by thoroughly cleaning the stairs and carefully applying the tape along the step edges and the front edge of each stair, as these are critical for safety. In high traffic areas, tapes may require more frequent replacement due to wear. After installation, it is best to wait a few hours before using the stairs to allow the adhesive to set properly. However, the adhesive is not aesthetic and often has limited durability. Contrary to popular belief, tapes are not cheap. Especially when calculated on a square metre basis and taking reapplications into account, tapes are one of the most expensive solutions.

Non-Slip Coating: Stellmann

When considering how to make stairs non slip, there are several anti-slip solutions available. Anti slip paint and non slip treads are popular for improving traction and providing a strong grip or excellent grip on wood stairs and slip stairs, making them cost effective for many homeowners. Rubber stair treads are a durable, slip-resistant option suitable for high traffic areas and outdoor stairs, while carpet stair treads and stair runners add both safety and decorative value to indoor stairs. Rubber mats are sometimes used on outdoor stairs, but may not be suitable in all weather conditions, especially where water or ice is present. The best solution depends on your specific needs, such as cost effectiveness, durability, and the type of stairs—whether you have outdoor stairs, high traffic areas, or require long term safety.

If none of the above non-slip solutions has convinced you, and if you place your safety and aesthetics above all else, then have a look at the Stellmann. This dual-component, water-based coating is Australia's leading non-slip solution for a wide range of surfaces.

Unlike many other single- and dual-component coatings, Stellmann has excellent adhesion to tiles, marble and timber, creating long lasting slip-resistant surfaces. Additionally, the Stellmann coating is CSIRO-certified with P3 or P4 slip-ratings. So, it can be used in residential and commercial settings.

Stellmann is available as a completely transparent and non-yellowing coating. However, it can be tinted so it can be used to create contrasting strips on stair nosing.

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