“Splash pads” are areas that contain water-play features and may contain play structures, but do not permit water to accumulate to any real depth. Their aliases include aquatic play pad, spray zone, spray pool, spray pad, spray deck, rain deck, and splash deck. There are 5,000–10,000 commercial or public splash pads in the USA, and … Continue reading “Water Parks: Inputs Wanted for Splash Pad Slip Resistance Standard”
Category: Slipping accident prevention
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, … Continue reading “John Glenn’s career-changing slip and fall”
No More Slips in Supermarkets!
Today, over 99 percent of supermarket floor areas are slippery when wet or otherwise lubricated. The lubricants may be water from tracked-in rain and snow; vegetable display sprays or a dripping ice bag; WD-40 from a customer’s test of a spray can; cooking oil; milk; or a very large variety of other liquids and solids. … Continue reading “No More Slips in Supermarkets!”
Slip Resistance of Floor Graphics
The September/October 2016 edition of SGIA Journal (Special Graphic Imaging Association), pp 89–92 has an article, “New Slip Resistance Specifications — Are You in Compliance?”, by the Marketing Manager of Mactac Distributor Products (“Technology that Sticks”, including indoor and outdoor floor graphics). He discusses the following about American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard B101.3:   … Continue reading “Slip Resistance of Floor Graphics”
Introducing SparkleTuff™ Anti-Slip Floor Coating
For over a decade, we have been on the search for a totally non-slip and very glossy floor coating that could help people who have had the misfortune of installing slippery tiles, or those who have slippery tubs or showers. We’ve seen several attempts over the years in our floor slip resistance testing business, but … Continue reading “Introducing SparkleTuff™ Anti-Slip Floor Coating”
Cofficient of Friction and Probability of Slip
Analysis published many years ago by Pye of Britain’s Building Research Establishment quotes the probability of a slip (not a fall or injury) as varying with the coefficient of friction (COF) between the shoe and floor as follows: COF  Risk, 1 in … 0.40  1,000,000 0.38   100,000 0.34    10,000 0.31 … Continue reading “Cofficient of Friction and Probability of Slip”
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 … Continue reading “Article published in The Construction Specifier magazine talks slip resistance”
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 … Continue reading “Top 10 Ways of Preventing Slips”
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 … Continue reading “Safe Shoes for Slippery Situations”
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 … Continue reading “Slips and Falls: To whose benefit?”