Slippery stairs are not a minor inconvenience. They are one of the most common causes of serious workplace and public injury in Australia. If you are standing in front of a staircase that has become a hazard, you need a solution that works, not a product that looks good on a shelf.
Whether you are managing a commercial site, a strata building, or a high-traffic public space, the wrong choice can cost you far more than a product replacement.
This guide covers the four anti slip products used on slippery stairs in Australia, when to use each one, how they compare, and what to look for before you buy. By the end, you will know exactly which product suits your surface, your budget, and your compliance obligations.
Why Stairs Are the Highest-Risk Surface in Any Building
Stairs concentrate risk in a way flat surfaces do not. Every step involves a weight transfer onto a small leading edge. Add a smooth surface, worn tread, wet entry, or inadequate nosing and the risk of a slip or fall increases sharply.
Common causes of slippery stairs include:
- Smooth or polished tile, concrete, or timber treads with no grip surface
- Worn anti slip tape or treads that have lost their grit
- No contrast at the step edge making depth perception difficult
- Wet entry conditions bringing moisture onto internal stairs
- Industrial environments where oil, dust, or debris builds up on treads
The good news is that all of these problems have proven solutions. The right product depends on the surface, the environment, and whether the stairway needs to meet AS 1428.1 or AS 1657 compliance requirements.
The stairs safety hub covers the full range of stair safety options across surfaces and environments.
The Four Anti Slip Products for Slippery Stairs
Product | Best For | Installation | Replaceability |
Anti slip tape | Concrete, timber, metal, tile | Self-adhesive, DIY | Easy, peel and replace |
Stair nosings | Step edges, compliance projects | Mechanical fix or adhesive | Moderate |
Stair treads | Full tread coverage, heavy traffic | Mechanical fix | Moderate |
Anti slip coating | Existing tile, concrete, stone | Brush or roller | Not removable |
There are four product categories used to fix slippery stairs. Each suits different surfaces, budgets, and performance requirements. The table below gives a fast comparison before the detail.
Anti Slip Tape
Anti slip tape is the fastest, most flexible solution for slippery stairs. It applies directly to the existing surface with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. No tools, no downtime, no contractor required.
Tape works on most hard stair surfaces including concrete, timber, ceramic tile, steel, and aluminium. The grit surface is aluminium oxide, which is extremely hard and does not wear quickly under foot traffic. It maintains grip even in wet conditions.
Key decisions when selecting tape for stairs:
- Grit grade. Standard grit suits indoor commercial stairs with normal foot traffic. Coarse grit suits outdoor, industrial, or high-traffic stairs where greater grip is needed.
- Width. 50mm is the standard width for stair nosing applications. 100mm covers the full leading edge zone for heavier-use stairs. See the width guide below.
- Colour. Yellow provides high visibility contrast at the step edge. Black suits industrial or commercial environments where aesthetics matter. Glow in the dark tape suits egress routes and emergency stairways.
Tape width selection guide:
Width | Best Application | Notes |
25mm | Handrails, narrow step edges, ladder rungs | Not suitable as a standalone nosing strip |
50mm | Standard stair nosing, indoor commercial | Meets AS 1428.1 minimum 50mm strip width |
100mm | High-traffic stairs, wider leading edge coverage | Exceeds AS 1428.1 max 75mm if used as sole contrast strip |
150mm | Industrial ramps, loading areas, wide platforms | Full-width hazard marking, not a nosing application |
The standard anti slip tape range covers indoor commercial stair applications in multiple widths and colours. The coarse grade tape is the right choice for outdoor or industrial stairs. For egress routes and emergency stairways, glow in the dark tape provides visibility under power failure conditions.
Stair Nosings
Stair nosings are rigid strips fixed to the leading edge of each step. They serve two functions at once: they add a high-grip surface at exactly the point where foot traffic lands, and they provide the luminance contrast required under AS 1428.1 for accessible paths of travel.
Nosings are the right choice when:
- The stairway is on an accessible path of travel requiring AS 1428.1 compliance
- The step edge is worn, chipped, or damaged and needs a protective profile
- The project requires a permanent, low-maintenance solution
- High foot traffic would wear through tape within a year or two
GripFactory stair nosings are mechanically fixed to the step edge and available in black and yellow. They meet the AS 1428.1 strip width requirement of 50-75mm and provide the grit surface required under AS 4586 for both dry and wet conditions.
Stair Treads
Stair treads cover the full surface of each step, not just the leading edge. They are the right solution when the entire tread surface has become slippery, not just the nosing zone.
Treads suit:
- Stairs with smooth or polished full-tread surfaces
- High-traffic commercial or industrial stairs where full coverage is needed
- Environments where liquid, debris, or contamination spreads across the full tread
- Situations where a complete visual and tactile upgrade of the stairway is required
GripFactory stair treads are fixed mechanically and provide full-tread grip coverage. They are available in black, yellow, and black and yellow combinations for visibility and compliance applications.
Anti Slip Coating
Anti slip coating is applied directly to the existing tread surface and chemically or mechanically bonds to it. There is no added profile, no change to step height, and no visible product on the surface once cured.
Coating is the right choice when:
- The stair surface cannot accept tape or fixed products due to heritage, aesthetic, or design constraints
- The full tread surface needs treatment and a fixed product is not practical
- The slip hazard is the surface itself rather than a worn edge or nosing zone
TitaniumGrip anti slip coating is designed for hard surfaces including concrete, tile, and stone. It provides durable grip without changing the appearance of the surface and is suited to both indoor and outdoor stair applications.
Need anti-slip products that actually hold on stairs? Browse GripFactory’s full stair safety range.
How to Install Anti Slip Tape on Stairs
Tape installation is straightforward. Follow these steps for a clean, lasting result.
- Clean the step surface thoroughly. Remove any grease, dust, or loose material. Use a solvent cleaner on metal or painted surfaces.
- Dry the surface completely. Adhesion fails on damp surfaces. Allow at least 30 minutes after cleaning before applying.
- Measure the step width and cut the tape to length, leaving a small gap at each end to prevent edge lift.
- Peel the backing and align the tape parallel to the step edge. For nosing applications, position the strip no more than 15mm back from the front edge.
- Press firmly along the full length. Work from the centre outward to prevent air pockets. Use a rubber roller if available.
- Seal the edges with an edge sealant on outdoor or wet-area installations. This extends adhesion life significantly in exposed conditions.
- Inspect after 24 hours to confirm full adhesion, particularly at the ends and corners.
For outdoor and industrial stair applications, seek guidance from the GripFactory team before ordering. Surface condition, substrate type, and exposure level all affect product selection.
How to Choose the Right Product for Your Stairs
Use these three questions to narrow down the right solution.
- Is this a compliance project? If the stairway is on an accessible path of travel in a commercial or public building, AS 1428.1 applies. You need a nosing or tape that meets the 50-75mm strip width requirement and can be verified for 30% luminance contrast by LRV calculation. See the full breakdown in the stair nosing AS 1428.1 compliance guide.
- How much of the tread surface is the problem? If the slip hazard is at the leading edge only, tape or nosings solve it. If the full tread is smooth and slippery, treads or coating are the better choice.
- How permanent does the solution need to be? Tape is the most practical option for rental properties, temporary installations, or anywhere a future change of surface is likely. Nosings, treads, and coatings are permanent or semi-permanent solutions suited to long-term facilities. Compliance Requirements for Stair Anti Slip Products
If your stairway is in a commercial, public, or multi-residential building, two standards are likely to apply.
AS 1428.1 covers accessible paths of travel in new building work. It requires:
- A single continuous contrast strip of 50-75mm on the tread
- Minimum 30% luminance contrast verified by LRV calculation
- Maximum 10mm of contrast visible on the riser face
- Slip resistance meeting AS 4586 P-rating for the surface condition
AS 1657 covers industrial fixed platforms, walkways, and stairways. It requires slip-resistant treads and clearly visible nosings but gives more flexibility on strip geometry.
AS 4586 sets the slip resistance classification for all pedestrian surfaces. For stair nosings and treads, the minimum is P3 for dry conditions and P4 for wet conditions.
Knowing your WHS responsibilities for stair safety in your facility is the starting point for any product selection. If you are unsure which standard applies to your project, the GripFactory team can help you work through the requirements before you order.
Maintaining Anti Slip Products on Stairs
Installing the right product is only part of the job. Anti slip products on stairs need routine inspection and maintenance to stay effective, particularly in commercial and industrial environments where WHS obligations require documented hazard control.
For tape-applied solutions, the main failure points are edge lift, surface loading with contaminants, and grit wear at the centre of the strip where foot traffic is heaviest. A simple monthly inspection covers all three.
What to check during inspection:
- Edges and corners. Any lifting edge becomes a trip hazard and allows moisture under the adhesive. Re-seal or replace immediately.
- Grit surface. Run a gloved hand across the strip. If the surface feels smooth rather than abrasive, grip performance has degraded and replacement is due.
- Contrast visibility. For compliance staircases, confirm the strip is still visually distinct from the tread surface. Contamination and fading can reduce effective luminance contrast over time.
- Fasteners on nosings and treads. Check that mechanical fixings are tight. Loose nosings create both a trip hazard and a compliance failure.
For coatings, annual slip resistance testing using a pendulum meter is the recommended approach in commercial environments. This confirms the surface still meets the required P-rating and provides documentation for your safety audit record.
Keep a maintenance log for every stairway in your facility. Record the product installed, installation date, inspection dates, and any remedial action taken. This log is your first line of defence if a slip incident occurs and liability is questioned. The GripFactory guide to protecting your facility covers the broader framework for managing anti slip maintenance across a commercial property.
Contact the GripFactory team for product selection advice, compliance documentation, and specification support for your stair safety project.
FAQs
Mechanically fixed nosings and treads typically last the life of the stairway with periodic inspection. Indoor commercial tape lasts 2-5 years depending on traffic. Outdoor and industrial tape in high-traffic or exposed conditions may need replacing every 1-2 years.
Tape is fully DIY — clean, dry, apply, and seal the edges. Nosings and treads require basic tools for mechanical fixing. Anti slip coating on larger stair runs benefits from professional application to ensure even coverage and consistent cure.
The NCC requires P3 for dry surface conditions and P4 for wet conditions, tested to AS 4586. Ramps steeper than 1:14 in wet conditions require P5. Surface condition, not location, determines the applicable rating.
Tape adds approximately 1mm, which has no practical impact on riser compliance. Nosings and treads add 3-5mm. On stairs already at the 190mm NCC maximum riser height, a finished riser height of 185mm is recommended to allow for nosing profiles.
Use tape when the step edge is intact, the substrate is sound, and the project does not require a permanent solution. Use a nosing when the step edge is damaged, AS 1428.1 compliance with verified luminance contrast is required, or traffic levels would wear through tape within a year or two.
AS 1428.1 applies to accessible paths of travel and sets precise strip geometry: 50-75mm wide, maximum 15mm setback, 30% luminance contrast verified by LRV. AS 1657 applies to industrial access stairs and requires slip-resistant treads and clearly visible nosings but does not impose AS 1428.1’s dimensional requirements.
