OnGrip Serrated Surface: Engineering Slip Resistance Into Every Bar Grating Panel

Traction Engineered, Not Assumed

Walking-working surfaces are governed by OSHA 1910 Subpart D for a reason: slip and fall incidents account for a significant share of recordable injuries in industrial and commercial facilities. When a surface is exposed to oil, water, ice, or process residue, standard smooth-top bar grating can present a real hazard. Ohio Gratings developed OnGrip serrated surface technology to address that risk directly, without compromising the structural performance our grating is built on.

What OnGrip Is

OnGrip is a serrated notching process applied to the top of the load-bearing bearing bar during manufacturing. Rather than relying on a coating, grit overlay, or secondary adhesive treatment that wears off over time, the serrations are cut directly into the bar itself. That means the slip-resistant surface is permanent — it degrades at the same rate as the bar, not faster.

The serration pattern is applied at a consistent pitch across the full panel, so traction performance doesn't fall off between bearing bars or at panel edges. This is a critical distinction from surface-applied anti-slip products, which often show uneven wear in high-traffic zones within a year or two of service.

Where It's Specified

OnGrip serrated grating is specified in environments where standing water, oils, chemical residue, or weather exposure create ongoing slip hazards:

• Platforms and walkways in petrochemical and refining facilities
• Wastewater and water treatment plant catwalks
• Food and beverage processing floors, where wash-down cycles are constant
• Parking structures and pedestrian ramps exposed to rain and ice
• Mezzanines and stair treads in manufacturing plants with oil or coolant exposure

In each of these applications, the serrated surface increases the coefficient of friction underfoot compared to a smooth bearing bar edge, giving facility managers a measurable, engineered solution rather than a reactive fix like adhesive tape or paint-on grit.

Compatible Across Our Product Line

OnGrip serration can be applied to welded, swaged, and press-lock grating configurations in carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, so specifying engineers don't have to trade load rating, material selection, or panel style to get slip resistance. It integrates into standard bearing bar spacing and depth calculations, meaning load tables and AASHTO or OSHA compliance documentation remain unaffected by the addition of the serrated surface.

Built on 70+ Years of Manufacturing Discipline

Since 1952, Ohio Gratings has manufactured bar grating out of our Canton, Ohio facility to meet demanding load, safety, and code requirements across industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects. OnGrip is a direct response to feedback from engineers and facility managers who needed a slip-resistant option that performs at the same standard as the rest of our product line — durable, code-compliant, and made in America.

Specifying OnGrip

When you're detailing grating for a project with known slip hazards, our team can help you determine bearing bar size, panel configuration, and load requirements alongside the OnGrip serration to make sure the finished product meets your project's safety and structural specifications. Contact Ohio Gratings to request technical documentation or a project quote.