Wet and Oily Walkways in Oil & Gas: When Is a Permanent Anti-Slip System Better Than Paint or Tape?
A steel walkway can look perfectly acceptable when it is dry.
Add water, oil, process residue, marine spray or repeated foot traffic and the same access route can become a very different surface.
In Oil & Gas, Offshore and Marine facilities, that matters because workers use stairs, platforms, ramps, ladders and access routes continuously during inspections, maintenance and normal operations.
The question is not simply:
“Is the surface anti-slip?”
A more useful question is:
“Will the surface continue providing reliable grip under the conditions in which it is actually used?”
Where Do Slip Problems Usually Develop?
High-risk areas commonly include:
- steel stair treads;
- stair edges;
- checker-plate walkways;
- ramps;
- access platforms;
- gangways;
- ladder rungs;
- maintenance routes;
- outdoor marine access areas.
These surfaces can be affected by:
- water;
- oil;
- grease;
- dust;
- sand;
- salt exposure;
- repeated wear.
A surface does not necessarily need to be completely covered in liquid before traction becomes unreliable.
Why Paint and Tape Are Not Always the Final Answer
Anti-slip paint and tape both have legitimate uses.
They can be economical and appropriate where:
- exposure is limited;
- traffic is moderate;
- the substrate is suitable;
- routine replacement is acceptable.
But some industrial locations place much greater mechanical and environmental stress on the walking surface.
Repeated traffic, impact, washdown, contamination and outdoor exposure can make maintenance frequency an important part of the decision.
The question becomes whether repeatedly renewing a surface treatment remains preferable to installing a more permanent anti-slip cover.
What Is TRAX?
TRAX by Safety Step manufactures composite anti-slip products for stairs, ladder rungs, walkways and ramps.
The manufacturer offers multiple grit grades for different operating environments:
- Fine;
- Industrial;
- Offshore;
- Extreme.
The Offshore grade is specifically identified for oil platforms and heavily soiled areas.
That makes the product relevant to the exact environmental problem being discussed rather than simply applying a generic anti-slip product to an offshore location.
Stair Covers
Stairs deserve particular attention because a loss of footing is combined with a change in elevation.
TRAX step covers are installed over the existing tread and can be fitted to substrates including:
- grating;
- steel plate/checker plate;
- concrete;
- wood.
The manufacturer publishes specific mechanical fixing approaches for these different substrates.
This means an existing stair does not necessarily need to be completely replaced merely because its walking surface has become unreliable.
Walkways and Platforms
Flat access routes present a different problem.
Workers may be:
- carrying tools;
- moving equipment;
- wearing heavy safety footwear;
- walking during maintenance;
- working around wet or contaminated process areas.
For these locations, anti-slip walkway covers or strips can provide a dedicated traction surface over the existing substrate.
The suitability depends on:
- substrate;
- contamination;
- drainage;
- foot traffic;
- fixing method;
- maintenance requirements.
Marine and Offshore Conditions
Marine environments introduce additional exposure to water, salt and weather.
Open decks, gangways, external stairs and access routes can repeatedly become wet.
Oil & Gas facilities can add hydrocarbon or process contamination to the same surface.
This is why the anti-slip requirement should be based on the actual operating environment rather than simply specifying “non-slip flooring.”
TRAX has a dedicated Offshore grit grade for heavily soiled and oil-platform applications.
Should Every Walkway Be Covered?
No.
A sensible anti-slip programme starts by prioritising the locations where a slip would be most likely or most consequential.
Look first at:
- stair leading edges;
- changes in elevation;
- frequently wet routes;
- areas near process equipment;
- loading/maintenance areas;
- marine-exposed access;
- surfaces with repeated previous complaints or near misses.
This gives an HSE or maintenance team a much clearer starting point than attempting to cover every square metre of a facility.
What About Cleaning?
A permanent anti-slip surface still needs cleaning.
TRAX’s manufacturer guidance recommends routine cleaning with water or steam and mild cleaning products, while avoiding aggressive tools such as steel scrapers or wire brushes that could damage the surface.
This matters because anti-slip performance should not be treated as a one-time installation issue.
The surface must remain properly maintained.
Visibility Can Matter Too
TRAX step and walkway covers can also incorporate:
- contrasting colours;
- custom safety messaging;
- directional information;
- photoluminescent strips.
The manufacturer states that embedded glow-in-the-dark strips can be incorporated for emergency evacuation and egress visibility.
For stairs and emergency access routes, visibility and traction can therefore be considered together.
How Should a Site Evaluate an Anti-Slip Requirement?
Before requesting a quotation, provide:
Location:
Stairs, walkway, ramp, ladder, platform, gangway.
Industry/application:
Offshore, refinery, marine, drilling, workshop, terminal, etc.
Existing substrate:
Grating, checker plate, concrete, wood or another material.
Main contamination:
Oil, water, mud, dust, salt, grease.
Dimensions
Indoor or outdoor
Expected foot traffic
Photos of the area
This information allows the product format and fixing approach to be discussed properly.
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ADIPEC 2026
2–5 November 2026
ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
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