Marble and terrazzo surfaces are inherently slippery and should be treated with a sealer containing a high percentage of solids to increase slip-resistance. Floor tile can be very safe or very dangerous, depending on its factory finish and its maintenance. The investigator should determine what products are being used and how they are being combined. A floor finish is a product that is put on top of the raw floor material to protect it, to beautify it, or to change its surface characteristics. A floor finish can be used to make an unsafe floor less slippery or can inadvertently be used to make a safe floor dangerous.
Finishes can be either synthetic or organic.
Carnuba, made from the palm tree, gives the floor a brilliant shine and is preferred by some floor-care companies because of its ease of use, shine, and cost. When used according to manufacturer's recommendations, the product is safe and offers and acceptable standard of floor care. If problems arise, it is usually because the produce is used improperly. The custodian often replaces the thin areas with fresh paste, leaving a heavy build-up toward the outside of the traffic area. This build-up produces a dangerous surface.