SLIP METER TESTING

As an added benefit to our clients, 4M will be implementing slip-meter testing at our customers’ facilities on a recurring basis.  We may also perform testing on-site if our customer experienced a slip and fall incident.  These tests help to reduce liability to our clients:

Slippery surfaces, improper footwear, inadequate hazard identification, insufficient training, inattentiveness, construction deficiencies, claimant physiology and fraud are among the many underlying reasons for slip and fall claims against home and industrial property owners. The classic slip and fall claim alleges building related deficiencies that caused the slip or fall. The claims professional is faced with the examination of the premises and the determination as to the validity of the claim. To initiate the investigation, analysis of the premises is a cost-effective first step. Measurements of critical dimensions, frictional aspects of the stairs or floors and lighting levels, yield factual information that acts as a basis for accepting or denying a claim. Three major ingredients of the slip and fall accident revolve around the friction between the floor and the claimant’s shoe, physical configuration of the accident scene, and/or lighting of the scene. The following delves into the intricacies of each.

SURFACES

It is generally considered in the industry that a walkway surface with a coefficient of friction higher than 0.5 is non-hazardous. Federal regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act recommend a coefficient of friction of 0.6 or higher. The coefficient of friction is a measure of the slipperiness of a surface. The lower the coefficient, the more slippery the surface. For instance, rubber on ice has a coefficient of friction around 0.06. The coefficient of friction for rubber on asphalt is approximately 0.6. Therefore, ice is about 10 times slipperier than asphalt. The coefficient of friction is the ratio of the weight of an object to the frictional force required to just move the object. If a block of concrete weighing 40 lbs. requires 20 lbs. to just start moving on a floor, the coefficient of friction is 20/40 or 0.5.

Hard copy documentation gives the customer credibility when presenting evidence and in storing history of their safe work environment.

After an incident, the trained Risk Management Department, can perform another investigation by:  

1. Interviewing witnesses
2. Photographing the area
3. Obtain samples of foreign substances on floor surfaces and identify them through independent laboratory analysis
4. Conduct additional floor tests - surfaces testing above a level of 5 are considered slip resistant. 

Improve Safety, Reduce Negligence.  A simple test of the coefficient of friction level of your floors and walkways will provide valuable data about safety levels and ongoing maintenance.

Safety audits will be performed to ensure that 4M safety policies procedures are being followed.  This helps create a safe working environment for our customer and 4M employees.  Audit results are documented and discussed with the management team on-site as well as the 4M branch manager to assure that corrective and preventive measures are documented and followed up. 

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