A Guide to Understand the Importance of Slip Resistance Testing

If you are unaware of a pair of shoes being up to the challenge of your office or workplace, it is crucial that you find out. You need to know whether your floor surface is slippery. This is important because there is a certain level of friction below which individuals tend to slip and fall. If you do not want to be dragged to court or pay compensation, you need to take every necessary step to prevent slip and fall accidents at your workplace. Below given are some of the things that you need to know regarding floor slip test.

The meaning of ‘slip resistant’

When it comes to footwear, slip resistance refers to the level of resistance that the shoe’s sole exerts whilst moving over the floor. Slip resistance is measured in CoF (Coefficient of Friction) and this is equivalent to the ratio between the force pushing the sole across the floor and the maximum frictional force that the shoe’s sole exerts.

There are a number of slip resistance tests, but in the UK, the pendulum slip resistance test is the one recognised by the courts and the HSE.

The pendulum slip resistance test

The pendulum test helps to measure the dynamic CoF and is specifically designed to imitate the heel strike of a pedestrian, the point at which the risk of slipping is at its maximum. When a person’s heel strikes a wet floor and a fluid film is created, which causes slips. Slips can even occur on dry surfaces and the pendulum test is capable of conducting resistance testing across both dry and wet conditions.

This slip resistance test is known to precisely test the slip potential of dry and clean or contaminated floors. As mentioned before, HSE prefers this method of testing because it is a portable test and works in several conditions where slip accidents may actually happen.

The pendulum slip test consists of a simple machine comprising of a metal boot that comes with a spring loaded rubber slider. This rubber slider is at the bottom and it swings down, as well as, slide across the floor surface. Then, the boot swings back up and the heights that it swings back up to is what tells how slippery the surface is. The more high the pendulum swings back up, the more slippery is the floor.

After the test has been conducted, the results are referred to as PTV or Pendulum Test Value. It is also sometimes referred to as SRV or Slip Resistance Value. If the PTV value is 36 or more, it means that the slip potential of the floor surface is low. But, if the value is anything below 36, it means that the slip risk is high and you need to do something about it to avoid workplace accidents.

What to do if the PTV value is below 36?

Slips and falls are one of the most common accidents at workplaces. If your employees meet with an accident within the premise, they can drag you to court and send you a lawsuit. You might have to look after the medical expenses, as well as, pay a hefty compensation. But, money is not the only loss that you will be facing. Even your reputation will be at stake. When such accidents occur, it tends to negatively impact the morale of the entire workforce. But, when you have a slippery floor at your workplace, it is not just the employees who might fall. Clients and customers coming in might also meet with such accidents. In order to avoid such accidents from happening, you can turn to anti slip products. There are non-slip coatings and other treatment solutions available for different types of floor surfaces.

If you need more information regarding slip resistance testing, reach out to a professional and gain better insight. They can also recommend the right anti slip solution.

Based in the UK, 4Earth Solutions specialises in conducting pendulum slip resistant test and in the creation and distribution of anti slip products and a broad range of floor cleaning and maintenance products. Their experienced and professional can even help with the application of the products.

With our range of environmental friendly products like sealers and anti-slip coating, slips and falls are no longer an issue.