Slip-And-Fall Measurements and Regulations

HOW DO WE MEASURE TRACTION?

The traction of a flooring surface is determined by measuring its Coefficient of Friction (“COF”) as defined below. COF is further broken down into two categories that measure slip resistance depending on when the slip occurs. The COF rating is an important factor when choosing a flooring surface and treating an existing surface for slip prevention.

As a general rule when measuring SCOF, the higher the number, the less likely a slip or fall will occur. For example, using NFSI B101.1 to measure SCOF, a measurement of .60 or higher would be considered “high traction.” SlipDoctors products are designed to meet or exceed industry standards for COF.

REGULATORY ASSOCIATIONS

Listed below are a few of the organizations and associations that help define safety standards in the United States.

ANSI & NFSI

• ANSI (American National Standard Institute) was founded in 1918 with the mission “to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems and safeguarding their integrity.” ANSI oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more.
• NFSI (National Floor Safety Institute) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NFSI was founded in 1997 with the intention of preventing slip-and-fall accidents by educating the public and businesses through informative programming, research, training, and product certification. NFSI certifies flooring materials, coatings, chemical floor-cleaning products, and treatments.

ANSI and NFSI have devised various detailed standards for measuring the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of a surface.

ADA

• American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 to guarantee equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The ADA made it illegal to discriminate based on disability in employment, transportation, telecommunications, state and local government and public accommodations. In 2003, the ADA advisory on surface conditions issued “Bulletin 4” which recommended a Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF) value of 0.6 for level surfaces and 0.8 for ramps and inclined surfaces.

OSHA

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was founded in 1970 with the mission to “assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.” OSHA does NOT currently have any published standards regarding slip resistance; OSHA inspectors can issue citations to businesses and property owners for excessively slippery floors.