Anti Slip Coatings vs Mats and Grab Bars: An OT’s Recommendation Guide

Anti-Slip Coatings vs Mats and Grab Bars

It's a cold February morning, and Thomas - an NDIS participant who uses a walking aid - is transferring from the shower to the vanity when the tip of his aid catches on the curled edge of an anti-slip bathroom mat. He trips. He falls. Recovery costs him thousands in medical bills.

This is a common outcome of mismatched OT safety recommendations.

A key duty of occupational therapists (OTs) is to conduct functional assessments of NDIS participants and their homes. These assessments allow OTs to prescribe home modifications that balance safety and independence with slip resistance compliance. 

Non-slip coatings, grab bars, and mats are considered practical solutions for slip hazards. So, when is coating a better alternative to anti slip mats and grab bars for non-slip NDIS home modifications?

I cover answers in this guide.

Key Takeaways

• Grab bars and anti-slip mats are active safety aids; they only function when users behave in certain ways
• Non-slip coatings are passive safety measures because they function without residents' intervention
• Non-slip coatings are an almost permanent anti slip solution in high-risk areas
• Slip resistance compliance and maintenance are easier with NDIS home modifications coatings.

When To Avoid Grab Bars and Mats

While grab bars and mats are first-line solutions for slippery floors, they aren't suitable for every environment or client. In fact, put them in spaces that need permanent anti-slip solutions or regulatory compliance, and you'll have more slip hazards on your hands.

Here's where I'll recommend not to use them:

Source; a black grab bar anchored into a tiled wall

1. When They Don't Suit Your Client's Needs & Environment

Grab bars are rails fixed into walls or secure structures in areas prone to slips, such as hallways, stairs, bathrooms, and showers. They provide support for residents who need something to hold onto for balance while walking or standing. 

A grab bar should be anchored firmly enough to hold the weight of a person. Australian Standards (AS) specifies installations that can hold up to 112 kgs at any point, from any direction.

Grab bars are not suitable for clients whose disabilities make them unable to reach for bars or use the bars correctly. They also do not do well in NDIS homes with limited wall structure where secure anchoring is impossible.

2. When They Introduce New Safety Risks

Source; a non-slip bathroom mat on white tiled floor

Anti-slip mats are portable, readily available, and relatively affordable solutions that control slip risks where they are applied. Awfully convenient, isn't it?

But here's why anti slip mats don't work for NDIS homes: they introduce new safety risks that may jeopardise the well-being of participants.

For example, an anti-slip mat with a smooth backing can slide on very smooth tiles surfaces. In wet areas, mats can also trap moisture under them, increasing the risk of slipping and supporting mould growth.

Anti-slip mats also tend to curl at the edges as they age, which creates trip hazards.

Further Reading: 5 Non-Invasive NDIS Home Modifications for 2026

Best Applications of Non-Slip Coating 

Non-slip coatings are one of the most effective OT safety recommendations in NDIS homes. Per new NDIS requirements, they qualify as reasonable and necessary supports that reduce slip risks for participants with mobility challenges. Here's why they stand out:

1. Passive Safety

With non-slip coatings, residents go about their daily activities knowing the floors are safe. They don't have to grip anything or step cautiously onto safe surfaces.

This is passive safety.

Passive safety aids are protective measures built into an environment to prevent accidents automatically, without effort or intervention from the user. In contrast, active safety aids only function when users behave in certain ways.

Yes, grab rails and anti-slip mats are active safety aids because the former must be held for support, and the latter must be stepped onto for balance.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Source: the NCC minimum slip resistance requirements for constructing commercial facilities

Non-slip coatings bond directly with the floor, so you can measure how much they increase traction after application. This quality allows them to provide regulatory compliance where it's required. 

The funding guidelines for NDIS home modifications are built on regulatory frameworks like the National Construction Code (NCC). Hence, construction projects funded by the NDIS must comply with NCC requirements and relevant Australian Standards.

To ensure safety and accessibility, the NCC has slip resistance specifications for constructing high-risk parts of residential buildings. These include wet outdoor areas (balconies and patios) and sloping surfaces (doorways and ramps).

However, slip safety at construction is not permanent. Floors can wear smooth over time from foot traffic and cleaning materials, putting vulnerable residents at risk of slips and falls. 

As an OT who wants to match clients with solutions that truly improve safety in their spaces, non-slip coatings are your top alternative to ripping out tiles.

Importance of Non-slip Coating Solutions in NDIS Homes 

NDIS home modification coatings are fast becoming a go-to for practical, non-invasive slip solutions, and here's why:

1. Slip Resistance Compliance

Non-slip coatings can upgrade treated surfaces to the required slip ratings, making them a more permanent solution instead of anti slip mats. Certified coatings guarantee slip safety in high-risk areas and are defensible in NDIS or Aged Care Commission audits.

For example, Stellmann's coatings are available in P3-P5 slip ratings, as defined by AS 4586, to ensure slip resistance compliance across different parts of the home.

2. Less Maintenance Requirements

Anti-slip mats trap moisture, dirt, and bacteria, creating hygiene and infection risks for the very clients they are meant to protect. Residents will need constant cleaning and drying to reduce these hazards.

Meanwhile, non-slip coatings are low-maintenance; a simple cleaning routine will preserve their appearance and longevity.

3. Longevity

Anti-slip mats typically last 6 to 18 months, so clients must replace them multiple times over a 2-year period. Meanwhile, NDIS home modification coatings last long — especially with professional installation. 

For example, Stellmann offers premium non‑slip coating solutions designed to deliver P3, P4, and P5 slip ratings in wet areas. With good maintenance, you'll get up to 4 years of slip resistance.

Further Reading: Home Modifications for NDIS Participants

FAQs

Q1: When are non-slip coatings better than mats or grab bars? 

Answer: 

We'll recommend non-slip coatings in high-risk areas of NDIS homes to provide passive slip resistance for residents with mobility or cognitive impairments.

Q2: How long do non-slip coatings last? 

Answer: 

The Stellmann non-slip coatings can last up to five years with proper maintenance. They also do not yellow with age.

Q3: Why do anti-slip mats fail in wet areas?

Answer:

They trap water under them, which reduces friction and causes them to deteriorate over time. Moisture retention also supports the growth of bacteria and mould.

Q4: Do coatings offer AS 4586 Compliance? 

Answer:

Our non-slip coatings are certified by the CSIRO and rated P3, P4, and P5 in accordance with AS 4586. The coatings meet Australian slip-resistance requirements and provide audit-ready protection for regulated environments. 

Conclusion

While mats and grab bars have their place as safety aids, their performance pales in comparison to coatings. If you want NDIS home modifications that improve safety without major renovations, non-slip coatings are your go-to. 

At Stellmann, we've helped OTs, plan managers, and NDIS families make slippery bathrooms, hazardous outdoor ramps, and other high-risk areas safer. Fast. 

We offer a free NDIS safety assessment that includes:

• On-site surface inspection
• Risk identification and documentation
• Custom compliance recommendations
• Fixed quote that can be submitted to the NDIS

Learn more about our work here.