I'm helping out with a non-profit makers space. The wood workshop was originally an office and so has less than ideal flooring (see attached). The laminate floor is too slippery if it gets sawdust on it. Have tried to sand with a DTS 400 and 40 grit Crystal but couldn't make any headway. Also, spray on adhesive has been tried but that rubs off too quickly.

Would appreciate any advice on this?

Have you considered spreading rosin instead of sand? Rosin is traditionally used to make V-belts on static machinery more grippy and should do the same for floors

Another oprion is to just lay down some OSB, use adhesive to attach it to the floors if necessary.

An advantage to the interlocking floor mats is dropped tools have a chance at survival vice certain death. You $300 hand plane, the chisel you just sharpened, or your $500 cell phone will thank you and probably come out unscathed. Without the mats you're looking at some dings and dents at the very least, and possibly a crack.
Because let's face it none of us have ever dropped any of those items, right? :-)