SLIP-RESISTANT FLOORING

Tom Murphy, Vice President Marketing General Polymers

Industrial and Marine Coatings Group,
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Abstract: Anti-slip or textured seamless floors
are specified in situations where exposures to
water, oils, greases or other process contaminants
are anticipated. This discussion will focus on the
various types of slip-resistant flooring options and
will briefly address the maintenance of these
floors.

because it requires frequent cleanings to maintain

a hygienic plant environment. Further, the degree
of texture selected must be matched with the
conditions of operation because the texture
impacts the slip resistance and maintenance
procedures required, including the types of
cleaners used and the techniques for keeping a
floor clean and in good order.

Introduction
Most people dont think much about floor
surfaces until there is a problem. For instance,
personnel safety and potential liability may only
become major issues when floors become too
slippery under normal use conditions. Slips and
falls are the second leading cause of work related
injuries. In fact, they are one of the highest (30%
of all claims) causes of workers compensation
throughout the world. The economic impact to
both individual companies and to the nation is
staggering. Each year, slips and falls account for
more than 12 million accidents and over 100,000
disabling injuries in the United States alone. Lost
production, medical expenses, liability premiums
and legal settlements represent a major cost
associated with slips and falls. According to the
National Safety Councils 1999 Injury Facts, the
lifetime costs associated with slip and fall
accidents exceed $12 billion in the US.
Maintaining floors properly to prevent
unwanted hazardous slip conditions in kitchens,
restrooms, production environments and even
public access lobbies depends on the type of
flooring system and conditions of use. Typically,
textured seamless floors are specified in situations
where exposure to water, oils, greases or other
process contaminants is anticipated. Often, a
wet environment is only considered wet

Standards and Measurements

The slip-and-fall issue has been
recognized as a major problem. Thus, a number of
procedures, policies, recommendations and
regulations have been issued to help prevent slipand-fall accidents. The standard established by
the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) for determining proper
slip resistance of floors is a 0.5 static coefficient
of friction (SCOF) as measured under dry
laboratory conditions. This standard was
originally proposed as a non-mandatory appendix
item, and was never adopted. Similarly, the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
recommends the standard be raised to 0.6 SCOF
but that is recommendation, not a statute.
The American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) refers to a testing procedure,
which utilizes the James Machine in a dry
laboratory condition but cannot be preformed in
the field. This method is not recommended for
wet surfaces or for rough or corrugated surfaces.
This test method considers flooring materials to
be slip-resistant if the static coefficient of
friction is 0.5 or greater. Ironically, floors which
have a high SCOF (0.8-1.0) can actually cause
more problems as trip hazards.

Copyright 2003 by SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

One of the most frequently sited standards

in the industry is attributed to Underwriters
Laboratories (UL). Here again the benchmark is
0.5 SCOF. UL does not, however, certify
products for slip resistance.
Of all of the standards available the Navy
MIL-D-3134J Specification for Deck Covering
Materials (1988) comes closest to outlining the
test procedures and detailing the slip resistant
properties for flooring materials. Aimed at
reducing accidents on shipboard interior decks,
MIL-D-3134J outlines the procedure for testing
surfaces with dry, wet (with 4 percent salt), and
oily (SAE 10W) conditions This procedure also
outlines the standards for non-static coefficient of
friction (NSCOF). Table 1 lists the friction factors
for each condition.

The Surface

SCOF
NSCOF
Contacting Dry Wet Oily Dry Wet Oily
Surface
0.6 0.5 -0.3 0.4 -Leather
Rubber
0.6 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.1
Table 1. Friction Factors

Factors Affecting The Real Life Slipperiness

The Navy standard begins to address some
of the issues that affect the slipperiness of a
surface. A surface may not be slippery to one
person; yet the next person can fall on the same
floor in the same conditions. Why? Three
factorsthe surface, the individual and the
environment -- contribute to this equation.
The Surface:
Flooring material (surface
resilience & porosity)
Texture or topography
Cleaning and contamination
Wear
The Individual: Footwear
Contact Area
Weight
Velocity
The Environment: Temperature
Humidity

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As one would expect, the flooring material

itself significantly influences the degree of slip
resistance. Materials that are soft, such as rubber
or urethane, are less slippery than hard surfaces,
such as ceramic or metal. Unfortunately, some of
the softer materials are not viable for industrial
applications. These surfaces general require an
abrasion-resistant surface that can withstand
heavy impact and traffic conditions. To
accommodate these conditions most slip-resistant
industrial floors are composed of a polymeric
material (Shore D >50) usually incorporating
some degree of aggregate.
The porosity of the floors will affect the
slip resistance under wet conditions. For
example, concrete absorbs water, while water
stays on the surface if coated with epoxy. To
address this issue, polymeric floors are installed
with various textures. His allows the water (or
other contaminants) to move out of the way of the
contacting surfaces. The texture or topography
can be varied by applying a stipple finish polymer
to an aggressive texture using bonded aggregate.
Aircraft carriers illustrate the extreme non-slip
surface with a high peak-to-trough variation in the
profile. Most industrial environments require
only a slight non-skid texture to avoid slips and
falls. This can be accomplished using a fine
aggregate incorporated into the topcoat surface of
the floor.
The degree to texture has a direct
correlation to the ease of cleaning. A high profile
floor finish will be hard to clean and eventually
loses its texture due to the inability to remove the
dirt. Some cleaning materials will also leave
residuals that can contribute to the slipperiness of
the floor. It is best to match the cleaner to the
contaminant followed by effective removal of the
detergent and contaminants.
All flooring materials wear with use. The
physical erosion of the floor will polish the
surface increasing the risk of slipperiness.
Depending upon the materials used in the floor,
this process can be extended greatly. Some slip
resistant additives are composed of plastic beads

which cannot withstand heavy traffic for more

than about year. Silica sand used as a non-skid
additive will have much better wear properties
while aluminum oxide performs the longest. The
ability of the binder resin to hold the aggregate
will also impact the longevity of the slip resistant
surface. Polyurethane elastomers, typically used
in parking decks, have poor adhesion properties
and will eventually lose the surface aggregate.
Epoxies, on the other hand, have excellent
adhesive strength and will hold the aggregate
better.
The Individual
Individuals working within industrial
environments come in all shapes and sizes. This
will affect their traction. Surface slipperiness not
only depends upon the type of shoe (e. g., material
and texture of the sole), but will also depend upon
how much surface area is in contact with the
floor, and the force of contact between the two
surfaces. Although the old saying goes, the
bigger they are, the harder they fall, in reality,
the bigger they are, the less likely they are to
fall.
The physics or motion describes the
variables associated with slip and fall conditions.
The velocity, mass, friction, inertia, acceleration
and force all play a role in slipperiness. The faster
an individual is moving, the less force is directed
downward to the contact surface and the less time
the two surfaces have to adhere. If this
movement is at an angle, such as when someone
would be turning a corner, the more force is
directed away from the contact. Just as in parking
decks where exit spirals require more aggressive
profiles, so it is in industrial applications where
individuals (or wheeled traffic) have a tendency to
rapidly change directions. Objects will continue
to move in the same direction at the same speed
unless acted upon by another force.
The Environment
It is obvious to us all that wet is more
slippery than dry and that ice is slicker than
3

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water. It should be no surprise that temperature

can affect the degree on slip resistance on a
surface. Most materials become harder as the
temperature drops. Compound this with the affect
of moisture on the surface - either from the
industrial process, humidity or dew point - and it
is easy to understand that the surface will be more
slippery in colder environments.
Weighing the Conditions
The four different environments described
below represent various seamless flooring
applications that illustrate the spectrum of
conditions to which floors are subjected.
Food processing represents the most
aggressive flooring environment. Food and
beverage production facilities must maintain a
clean environment to protect the safety of
employees and the condition of goods being
produced. Processing and packaging areas are
typically wet, often requiring steam cleaning.
Foodstuff contaminants are frequently acidic.
Flooring systems for these environments must
withstand inherent chemical and abrasion
conditions, as well as provide a safe, slip resistant
surface for production personnel. Consequently,
textured flooring systems are commonly used in
these areas. Concrete alone will not handle an
acidic environment and will become slippery with
accumulation of fats, oils and water.
Urethane mortar surfacing systems are
useful in these applications to withstand combined
deleterious effects of thermal shock from steam
cleaning and mechanical and chemical attack. In
areas were thermal shock is not a concern slip
resistant coatings can be installed. Slip-resistant
finishes provide safe walking surfaces under wet,
dry and contaminated conditions.
Heavy manufacturing conditions vary
based upon the production or assembly
environments. Heavy manufacturing and
assembly plants must address the issue of slip
resistance due to the exposure to oils and
particulate matter. A flooring system in this

environment also must withstand anticipated

effects of heavy traffic and mechanical abrasion.
Slip hazards in these facilities can be minimized
by combining appropriate degree of texture with
proper and timely maintenance procedures.

compliant sealer are often installed to maintain the

desired slip-resistant surface in these areas. On
ramps and risers these smooth finish floors
require the installation of non-slip strips, using
epoxy and alundum or other fine aggregate.

Commercial kitchens, cafeterias and

restaurants typically represent wet and soiled
conditions with low foot traffic. Most commercial
kitchens and cafeterias do not undergo the same
degree of physical abuse and steam cleaning as
food processing facilities, but slip resistance and
maintenance of a clean environment are equally
important. In these situations, a more decorative
seamless floor such as a quartz broadcast or
decorative troweled system often selected. These
systems typically receive a textured finish, as
well, to insure safety.
Lobbies and restrooms are mostly dry with
light traffic, but wet conditions may occur
occasionally. Flooring systems for lobbies and
restrooms are generally selected based upon
aesthetics. Light foot traffic and routine cleaning
typical of these areas may not dictate the need for
a textured floor system. Terrazzo, marble and tile
using an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Figure 1. Slip resistant Strips in Terrazzo

Table 2. Representative Conditions Requiring Slip Resistant Flooring

Food Processing

Heavy
Manufacturing
Performance Driven

Kitchens

Highest Selection Priority

Performance Driven

Exposures

Thermal Shock
Acid Exposure
Wet Conditions
Protein Soils

Impact Conditions
High Wear
Oils, Grease
Dust, Particulates
Crude Soils

Considerations
Wet Conditions
Grease, Oils
Foot Traffic
Protein Soils

Weather Related
Exposure
Potential Wet
Conditions

Cleaning Requirements

Extremely Important
Required by
Regulations

Safety Driven

Safety and
Hygiene
Dictated

Aesthetics &
Hygiene

Texture

High-Medium

Medium

Medium-Low

Low to None

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Aesthetic &
Safety

Lobbies/
Restrooms
Highly Decorative

Marrying Texture with Safety

Texture on a seamless floor can be
achieved in several ways. The final topcoat
applied to a flooring system may contribute to its
slip resistance. Coatings with a stipple finish and
satin finish will create surface irregularities that
may help control slip resistance. Smooth flooring
finishes, especially epoxy coatings, tend to abrade
and increase in slip resistance characteristics over
time.
In more aggressive environments, texture
may be built into the floor using various
aggregates. Light service areas can utilize
polypropylene beads to yield a slight texture.
Kitchens and shower rooms frequently utilize
colored quartz broadcast floors, which may
contain a homogeneous texture based upon the
installation procedure. Application of grout coats
and topcoats of clear epoxy or urethane actually
reduce the finished floor texture.
An aggressive quartz broadcast floor
texture may use a single coat of polyurethane that
follows the profile and is applied at low
millage. A 100% solid, zero volatile organic
content (VOC) epoxy topcoat, on the other
hand, will fill the profile and can be applied
thicker reducing the overall texture.
Heavy manufacturing conditions require a
more durable texture that will not be crushed by
forklifts and other heavy vehicles. Silica sand or
other harder aggregates, such as aluminum oxide,
garnet or granite, is incorporated into the finish
surface of slurry/broadcast floors and _ trowel
applied resurfacing systems to achieve slip
resistance. Varying the size of the aggregate also
impacts the degree of slip resistance. Larger
aggregates, such as a 30 mesh silica sand; provide
greater degree of slip resistance on a surface than
the smaller size 40-60 mesh silica.

Figure 2. High Viscosity Coating

There are a number of high viscosity

coating products available which take advantage
of both the unique profile surface texture of the
resin in addition to the incorporation of nonreactive aggregates or grit, such as Kevlar,
which contribute to the slip resistance of the
surface. Liquids and other contaminants flow into
the valleys leaving the high-traction peaks
exposed. If the peaks ever begin to wear away,
they expose fresh grit, providing excellent slipresistance for years.

Figure 3. High viscosity coating with fine grit

Wen-Ruey Chang and Associates at the

Liberty Mutual Research Center for Safety and
Health has studied the role of surface roughness
for both floor surfaces and footwear. This
groups studies concluded that the Coefficient of
Friction (COF), a measure of the inverse
relationship between friction and slipperiness, is
significantly impacted by the microscopic
roughness of the combination of the sole and the
floor surfaces. This principle helps to explain
extreme variances obtained when various waxes
and sealers are used on textured floors. It is
important to insure that ADA (American with
Disabilities Act) compliant sealers and
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maintenance materials are used in lobbies and

restrooms where physically noticeable or
macroscopic surface texture is not incorporated.

initiate movement of a weight. Water and oil will

exhibit a cohesive force with stationary objects.
The amount of force required to maintain
movement on these surfaces is significantly less.
Effect of Texture and Footwear on COF in Oily
Conditions

COF

Figure 4. ASM 725 Slip Meter Illustration

In independent studies the ASM 725 Slip

Meter (American Slip Meter, Inc.) was used to
measure the static COF of various dry industrial
flooring systems with smooth and textured
surfaces. Two different grades of aggregate were
used, a 40/60 mesh silica sand and a more
aggressive 30 mesh silica sand. Results indicated
that a smooth surface complies with ADA 0.5
COF recommendations in dry conditions, but the
addition of texture to the flooring system
dramatically increased the COF for both leather
and neolite (rubber) soles. The 30 mesh
aggregate improved slip resistance as represented
by an increased COF.

40/60 Mesh
Broadcast

30 Mesh
Broadcast

Figure 6.

While in most food processing areas a wet

environment exists, conditions can range from
extremely wet in processing rooms to mostly dry
in packaging areas. Aluminum oxide is used to
provide a slip resistant surface in areas subject to
the most extreme conditions. The angular nature
of this aggregate yields a high coefficient of
friction. Figure 7 illustrates that footwear
composed of neolite (rubber) tends to provide
safer COF than leather.
COF in Wet Conditions

Neolite dry

40/60 Mesh
Broadcast

30 Mesh
Broadcast

COF

COF

Neolite oil

Flooring System

Leather dry

Smooth

Flooring System

Figure 5.

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Leather
Neolite

Broadcast w/AlOx

These tests were duplicated with oily

conditions. The smooth surface was below safe
recommendations and both textured surfaces
improved the COF. It must be noted that although
these tests provide relative performance and valid
comparison, the static measurement of slip
resistance may not fully reflect the degree of
slipperiness of the dynamic interaction of an
individual walking. By definition, the static meter
determines the amount of force necessary to
6

Leather oil

Smooth

Effect of Texture and Footwear on COF in Dry

Conditions
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00

1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00

Broadcast
w/topcoat

Broadcast W/30
mesh

Flooring System

Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows, in dry, wet and oily

conditions, the mortar system with broadcast
aggregate maintains a high level of slip resistance.
When an epoxy topcoat is applied over the
aluminum oxide aggregate the COF decreases.

395

agitation, dwell time to effectively solubilize the

contaminants prior to removal.

COF with Varying Surface Texture

1.2

COF

1
0.8

Dry

0.6

Wet

0.4

Oil

Recoating
Sometimes, floor maintenance involves
more than cleaning. Maintaining a slip resistant
surface may mean providing additional friction.
With friction comes wear. All surfaces exposed
to constant use will show erosion. Maintaining a
textured floor requires periodic recoating and
renewed texture application. In low foot traffic
conditions and light cleaning programs, this
restoration will be required rarely. Extreme
conditions will require more frequent
maintenance at regular intervals.
To assure proper maintenance of any
floor, textured or smooth, standard maintenance
procedures for each environment should delineate
the frequency of cleaning needed, the correct
cleaning agents and the appropriate tools.
Thorough cleaning and maintaining a textured
floor presents a challenge to the maintenance
staff. Safety of personnel is of primary
importance, and the energy and cost associated
with maintaining a safe environment is
inconsequential compared with the cost of low
morale and potential medical liability.

0.2
0
Broadcast w/AlOx

Broadcast
w/topcoat

Broadcast W/30
mesh

Flooring System

Figure 8.

Cleaning a Textured Surface

Without an effective cleaning procedure, a
textured floors coefficient of friction may be
quickly lost. The first and perhaps most complex
step in cleaning a textured floor is choosing the
correct cleaning chemical for the specific
application, based on amount and types of foreign
matter, type of flooring surface and the particular
cleaning process. Following the floor
manufacturers cleaning and maintenance
recommendations is a responsible way to decide
upon the type of cleaning chemical to use. If no
recommendations are given, then it is necessary to
make a determination based on a number of
factors, including the type and amount of dirt and
the chemical resistance limitations of the
environment, especially the floor. There are two
types of cleaners that work especially well: these
are a fortified alkaline cleaner for light to
moderate soils and the high alkaline cleaner for
moderate to heavy soils. Textured floors will
generally require the use of squeegees, steam or
water spray or floor cleaning machines. Mops
and sponges will not work. Follow the
manufacturers recommendations for use when
cleaning with automated scrubbers or hard rubber
squeegee. Most cleaning procedures require

Conclusion
The environment of use will dictate the
degree of slip resistance required. Wet and oily
conditions, especially with heavy soil, will require
higher degrees of texture and more aggressive
cleaning procedures. Maintaining the floor with
proper cleaning procedures and recoating are
necessary to effectively provide a safe slip
resistant floor.

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