Staying Structurally Safe and Sound with FRP

Fiberglass reinforced plastic is a modern composite material made of polymer impregnated glass fibers. It has a number of characteristics that make it useful for creating stronger and more durable structures that improve safety across many industries.?

FRP Can Increase Infrastructure Safety

Our team has visited more than one client site where structures made of metal or wood have corroded or rotted through and simply collapsed. This type of complete material failure can cause a lot of damage and serious injuries. In some cases, the material used can not even last a decade without becoming hazardous due to degradation.

In contrast, FRP does not rust or rot. It is less likely to corrode and fail when exposed to elements from water to harsh chemicals. Fiberglass reinforced plastic from Fibergrate? improves the durability of infrastructure, from platforms and walkways to barriers and bridges. It is built to last for many decades without losing its strength or load bearing capacity.

Here Are Additional Safety Features of FRP

• Thermally Resistant - A poor conductor of heat, FRP tends to stay at more comfortable temperatures, reducing the risk of skin burns.
• Electrically Non-Conductive - FRP will not transmit energy from electrical equipment or power lines, preventing electric shock.
• Fire Resistant - This material is less likely to ignite than many other common building materials, making it safer for use around potentially flammable materials.
• Slip-Resistant - When equipped with an anti-slip surface coating, FRP helps protect against slip and fall accidents.
• Lighter to Lift - With proper lifting techniques, FRP is often easier to transport and install on-site than steel with less need to use cranes or forklift.
• Does Not Leach Harmful Substances - FRP is relatively inert and can be used in aquatic environments without leaching chemicals that harm people or wildlife.

Where Can You Use FRP Products to Improve Safety?

Because it is durable and easy to install, FRP is used across a wide variety of industries and use cases to build safety features into the infrastructure. Here is a look at some of the popular uses for FRP and how they make workplaces and job sites safer.

#1 FRP for Barriers and Enclosures Can Save Lives

Machine Fencing: Prevent injuries from moving parts and integrating seamlessly into Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) programs. FRP is sturdy and cannot be cut with wire cutters, which helps safeguard the equipment from tampering.

Rooftop and Stairway Safety Enclosures: Enhance safety in elevated areas with durable and secure fencing solutions. As an example, FRP rooftop safety products are non-penetrating, meaning they can be installed without the risk of damaging the roof structure.?

Additional Use Cases for Protective FRP Barriers

• Air Duct & Wall Fan Screens
• Substation Enclosures &Transformer Cages
• Machinery & Equipment Guards
• Driver Access Cages

Read here for more ways to use FRP Enclosures to Improve Safety in the Workplace.

#2 FRP Surfaces Reduce Slip & Fall Hazards

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2023, "falls, slips, and trips" accounted for a significant portion of workplace injuries, representing around 39.2% of construction-related deaths and accounting for hundreds of thousands of non-fatal workplace injuries every year.

Anti-slip surfaces reduce the risks of slip and fall accidents. This includes floors, walkways, platforms, and stairs.?

What You Should Know: There is no such thing as completely slip-free flooring, so non-slip flooring is a term that refers to flooring products that minimizes potential for slipping and falling by providing greater friction factor. Non-slip commercial flooring with a higher friction factor gives workers better traction than flooring with a lower friction factor.?

Here are some examples of slip-resistant FRP options from Fibergrate.?

Integrally Applied Grit: Abrasive particles (grit) of recycled aggregate can be integrated directly into the surface material of the stair tread during the manufacturing process, ensuring durability. Integrally applied grit is ideal for environments prone to wet, oily, or slippery conditions, such as industrial settings, outdoor stairs, and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.?

Aluminum Oxide Grit: Aluminum oxide grit (a synthetic crystalline material) is a widely used abrasive material known for its exceptional hardness and durability. It is highly resistant to wear and corrosion, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. The grit may be embedded in coatings or incorporated into prefabricated items such as stair treads.

Aqua Grit: This “barefoot traffic” grit is engineered to maintain its slip-resistant properties even in wet, humid, or submerged conditions, making it ideal for aquatic and marine environments such as swimming pools, docks, or outdoor stairs. It can be treated for UV resistance as well.?

Read here to learn more about non-slip flooring grating.

#3 Guardrail Systems Create Safer Walkways

Guardrail systems are safety elements designed to prevent falls from a higher level to a lower level (such as off the edge of a platform or stairs). They are installed in areas where they can provide lifesaving protection to workers, occupants, or passersby.?

This includes:

• Landings
• Staircases
• Elevated Platforms
• Rooftop spaces
• Patios

Because they are designed to visually warn of hazards and physically prevent accidental entry into hazardous spaces, guardrails must meet strict requirements for strength, durability, size, shape, and placement. These guidelines and rules are outlined by OSHA and may also be affected by local building codes.

Read our blog about Guardrails and Code Requirements to learn more.

Staying Safe around FRP

As you can see, FRP is designed to improve workplace safety through the characteristics of the material itself and by its utility across many use cases.

But what about the safe handling of fiberglass reinforced plastic? Here are a couple of factors to consider.

How to Cut & Grind FRP Safely

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard CAS 65997-17-3 explains that fibrous glass dust, which can be produced when cutting FRP, is nuisance dust, or particulate that typically does not yield significant harm over the normal exposure period. OSHA requires no additional protection beyond normal goggles and gloves for workers cutting FRP. Composites, in fact, create less harmful dust than many other materials. As with any cutting or grinding activity, work in a well ventilated area and wash skin if it is exposed to dust to prevent potential irritation.?

Here is a tip from Fibergrate Regional Sales Manager, Dave Anderson, “I recommend using a diamond-tipped saw blade. It is going to give you a cleaner cut with less dust.”?

Hand saws can be used for smaller cuts, but they may be time-consuming and may not always produce the cleanest cuts. Circular saws equipped with diamond-tipped blades are often the preferred method for cutting FRP. Diamond-tipped blades provide cleaner cuts with less chipping or fraying.?

Want to learn more about how safe FRP is?

See a Typical Safety Data Sheet for Pultruded Grating

Practice Safe Lifting

FRP is much lighter than materials like steel, making it easier to transport and install. On job sites, this light weight means it is very often moved and lifted manually rather than by using heavy equipment. However, workers should not overestimate their ability to move a piece of FRP alone. Two or more people should work together and always use proper lifting techniques to avoid strains and other injuries.?

Here are some lifting safety guidelines from UNC to help your people stay safe.

• Get as close to the load as possible. Try to keep your elbows and arms close to your body. Keep your back straight during the lift by tightening the stomach muscles, bending at the knees, keeping the load close and centered in front of you, and looking up and ahead. Get a good handhold and do not twist while lifting. Do not jerk; use a smooth motion while lifting.
• Set the load down in the same way you picked it up, but in the reverse order. Bend at the knees, not the hips. Keep your head up, your stomach muscles tight, and do not twist your body. Keep the load as close to the body as possible. Wait until the load is secure to release your handhold.

Additional Tips: Use back supports when necessary. Wearing work gloves is also a good idea, especially with freshly cut FRP that may have rough edges.

Want to learn more about how to use FRP to improve safety around your infrastructure and equipment? Read our white paper below.