Evaluate & Record
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), over half the slips and falls are attributed to the walking surface. To reduce the chance of slips and falls, a Coefficient of Friction (COF) of 0.50 or better between the shoe and walking surface is a goal to maintain. On icy, wet, and oily surfaces, the COF can be as low as 0.10 with shoes that are not slip resistant. A COF of 0.50 or more is recommended for what the NFSI calls “excellent traction.” To put these figures in perspective, a brushed concrete surface and a rubber heel will often show a COF greater than 1.0. Leather soles on a wet smooth surface, such as ceramic tile, may have a COF as low as 0.10.
Precision Technologies, using certified and calibrated instrumentation, will test the COF of your hard floor surface in both a dry and wet condition. This confidential record will provide you the needed information to identify trouble areas so to formulate a plan of action. here.
Improve and Maintain
Floor surface performance may be improved by installing a high traction floor material, by upgrading the floor cleaning and finishing methods – joined with the use of floor products that will raise the COF of the floor surface. The goal is to improve floor performance that may have a bearing on the number of slips and falls.
Safety and Savings
What is the bottom line? A documented program helps you respond to fraudulent liability claims, workers compensation claims and claims of company gross negligence. Slips and falls can cost you, but a documented comprehensive safety program that improves floor surface performance, employee training and worker slip-resistant footwear, barriers and signage for customers - all contribute to overall floor safety, savings and defense. Adding the testing, monitoring and documenting of the floor surface COF will enhance your safety program and establish supportive evidence of your commitment to safety.
