Slip Risk Assessment

What constitutes a "slippery surface"?

How is a slippery surface measured? The UK lags behind some other countries in strictly defining what constitutes a slippery surface, but it is expected that it will only be a matter of time before further legislation is introduced.

The Workplace (Health & Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992) prescribe that: "….with respect to its construction, the floor shall not be slippery, so as to expose any person to a risk to their safety." Also "A floor must not be constructed which is slippery. This is a high standard of legal duty and is not limited to doing that which is only practicable." What then constitutes a definition of "slippery?"

Physical slip resistance is measured by the coefficient of friction. Unfortunately there is no internationally accepted standard method of measurement. Various devices have been used, but the one which appears to be favoured in the UK, both in use by British Standards Institute and the Health & Safety Executive, is the Transport and Road Research Laboratory's (TRRL) Pendulum Slip Meter. This meter was originally designed to test vehicle tyre slips on road surfaces, but a special rubber slider (4S) has been devised to simulate pedestrian foot traffic on floor and other surfaces.

 UK (HSE) accepted parameters for friction coefficient readings in wet conditions:

Dangerous .24 and below

Marginal .25 to .34

Satisfactory .35 to .64

Excellent .65 and above

Note that these guideline figures are for best practice and are not used in legislation, as in for example, the USA, where in most states there is a legal minimum requirement for .50 or above.

Depending upon the type of surface and type of treatment, friction coefficients can be increased by up to 240% after treatment with our products.