Pedestrian Safety

Slipperiness Assessment and Forensic Investigation
Pedestrian Safety, particularly protection against the risk of pedestrian slipping, is a health and safety issue which is currently of much interest. The statistics are clear, over 30% of all non-fatal major injuries in UK workplaces are caused by a slip, trip or fall on the same level. Such accidents have been estimated to cost the UK economy up to £1.1bn each year.

HSL's Pedestrian Safety Team offers an independent and impartial pedestrian slipping assessment service, including on-site measurements of slipperiness complemented by a well established range of laboratory-based tests. Forensic investigations can also be undertaken following significant pedestrian safety accidents; this facility is routinely used by HSE's inspectors.

Senior members of HSL's Pedestrian Safety Team are members of the UK Slip Resistance Group and relevant BSI, CEN and ISO Standards Committees, and are leading international authorities in the area of assessment of pedestrian slip risk. Considerable experience and expertise has been established during field studies, backed up by laboratory-based research into this complex topic for HSE.

On-site testing of flooring materials may be undertaken using a comprehensive suite of assessment techniques, including:

• Surface microroughness analysis, using a range of roughness parameters.

• Surface form/morphological analysis.

• Coefficient of Friction testing using a range of well established and accepted techniques (such as 'pendulum' tests, articulated struts, and in exceptional circumstances, sled-type tests).

All of the above techniques can also be used during laboratory-based testing, and may be complemented by the use of a state-of-the-art subject-based 'DIN Ramp' Coefficient of Friction test. The ramp facility is routinely operated using an in-house HSL standard procedure, but can also be operated under conditions specified by DIN Standards 51097 and 51130 if required.

Further information about slips and trips can be found on HSE's website at:

  www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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