Using a Slip Meter in the Workplace - Performing a Slip Test

Slip Test with a reputable Slip Meter on a regular basis can be an excellent indicator of your floors' slip resistance.

An estimated 8 million slip-and-fall accidents occur each year, with approximately 540,000 requiring hospitalization. Slip-fall incidents are the second biggest cause of accidental fatality after automotive accidents, with over 20,000 fatalities per year. Slip-and-fall claims account for 40% of all compensated workers' compensation claims. This equates to 104 million missed workdays each year.

Having a decent quality slip meter on hand and using it can assist in making the workplace a safer place. The Americans with Disabilities Act, which sets the standard for floor safety UK, stipulates that a horizontal surface with a SCOF of 0.6 or above is considered safe. If there is a slip-and-fall accident and the floor is tested, and the result is less than 0.6, individuals responsible for the floor's maintenance may be held liable.

The following is an excellent example of a good floor maintenance routine. The floor would be checked first to see how slip-resistant it is. This information, as well as the date, should be recorded. Then a decent degreaser or floor cleaner would be used to clean it properly. The floor would then be treated by a company that specializes in making flooring slip-resistant, or the business owner might buy chemicals and treat the surface himself. The floor would then be remeasured, and the findings would be recorded.

The floor would be cleaned with a decent cleanser or degreaser every month or so, and the level of slip resistance would be slip test to ensure that it was still good. For example, at a restaurant where a lot of greases is used in the cooking, this will need to be done more frequently and withdrawn if necessary. The outcomes would be recorded.

If a slip and fall accident occurs at work, this strategy may help defend your company in a lawsuit.