The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is issuing a new test method, with minimum dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF rating), for slip resistance of hard flooring materials, wet or dry, laboratory or field testing. No minimum DCOF is provided for exterior applications. The BOT-3000E digital tribometer is used for the testing. The Secretariat for the […]
Tag Archives: slip and fall
Fixing Your Slippery Epoxy/Polyurea/Polyaspartic Floor
We are continually amazed at how often contractors will install an epoxy (or polyurea or polyaspartic) floor coating (especially to garages and outdoor walkways) with little or no effort to make it slip-resistant under its known conditions of use — namely, sometimes wet and/or greasy. This happens in commercial, industrial, and household situations. Here’s what […]
John Glenn’s career-changing slip and fall
The world mourns the loss of pioneering astronaut and former U.S. senator John H. Glenn Jr., who in 1959 became one of America’s first astronauts, one of the “Mercury Seven,” and was the first American to orbit the Earth. Less remembered is the slip-and-fall accident that was a major factor in his early political career, […]
COF vs. Pendulum Test Value (PTV to DCOF conversion table)
Pendulum slip (or skid) resistance data are usually expressed as PTV, Pendulum Test Value (or sometimes BPN, British Pendulum Number, or even SRV, Slip Resistance Value). The question has been asked, “What’s the coefficient of friction?” This number (dynamic COF – DCOF) was calculated decades ago at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, and can […]
Article published in The Construction Specifier magazine talks slip resistance
John C. Sotter and George Sotter of Safety Direct America were published in the July issue of The Construction Specifier magazine with an article talking about floor slip resistance and keeping floors safe for pedestrians. The article talks about the latest International Building Code (IBC) requirements for slip resistance, and its limitations as far as […]
Top 10 Ways of Preventing Slips
Here’s a countdown of some of the most simple and cost-effective ways of stopping slip and fall accidents. 10. Post warnings when and where appropriate. 9. Use solings appropriate to the situation. 8. Chemically etch or grind concrete if it’s too smooth. 7. Make sure stairs comply with your local building code, and that nosings […]
Safe Shoes for Slippery Situations
Many people work in situations that can be very slippery underfoot. For instance, a commercial (restaurant or fast-food) kitchen that might have grease on the floor from deep fryers that broadcast it into the air; or a hotel lobby’s glossy floor that needs to be cleaned nightly with detergent solution. In non-work situations, spa slippers […]
Slips and Falls: To whose benefit?
The respected ancient Roman judge Lucius Cassius, when looking for who might be guilty of a crime, liked to ask, “Cui bono?” — “to whose benefit?” The guilty party is likely to be one who profited from the crime. Slips and falls leading to injury and sometimes to premature death (68 deaths per day in the […]
How to Prevent Slips and Falls on a Swimming Pool Deck
Unfortunately, many swimming pool decks are slippery when wet as installed! This can and too often does lead to severe accidents for both children and adults. The deck that was supposed to supply fun for the family, club members, or the public becomes a liability that causes pain, suffering, expensive medical treatment, and income losses. […]
Slip-and-fall Fraud — Some Clues
How can you avoid slip-and-fall scams on your property? First and foremost, eliminate hazards. The initial step is testing floor slip resistance before a fall is reported. Failing that, pay attention when someone reports a slip, even if it didn’t lead to a fall or injury. That report put you on notice — you can’t […]