Slip-and-fall accidents remain one of the most common causes of injuries in commercial and public environments. To accurately measure floor safety, professionals rely on the Pendulum test, an internationally recognized method for assessing surface friction. Also known as the pendulum slip test, this procedure evaluates how likely a person is to slip under both dry and wet conditions.

The pendulum test slip resistance method uses a swinging arm fitted with a rubber slider that simulates a heel striking the floor. The friction created during this movement produces a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). Higher values indicate better grip and lower slip risk. This makes pendulum testing an essential part of risk assessments for malls, hotels, hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities.

A particularly critical assessment is the wet pendulum test, as most slip accidents occur when floors are wet due to cleaning, spills, or weather conditions. Wet testing ensures a realistic understanding of safety performance and helps determine whether corrective treatments are required.

SwissGrip conducts professional pendulum slip testing to identify hazardous surfaces and recommend effective solutions. Regular testing supports compliance with international safety standards while protecting businesses from liability claims.

Do you want to prevent accidents caused by slippery surfaces, slip and skid risks on floors and road surfaces in Dubai, UAE? SwissGrip provides the slip resistance pendulum testing service at the best prices. Call today!

Did you know that a large proportion of accidents or slips at work are down to glossy’ flooring?

To help avoid any personal injury claims, it is important that employers, architects, and managers buy the appropriate flooring products that are detailed in the technical specifications. These stipulations inform all concerned on the slip resistance and pendulum skid test maintenance of such flooring and how to clean it safely.

While glossy floors may look good in a large office block or shopping complex, adapting a glossy floor, and making it non-slip is not always advised, and may show wear and tear over time. Please don’t be caught out. Check that your insurance provider covers slip floor coatings before use. Your insurance company will probably ask you to provide a slip resistance certificate for the anti slip product that has been applied to the surfacing.

Please be aware that it is a legal requirement for all producers and suppliers of flooring to provide the correct data for the slip resistance criteria on all their products. This is in respect to both non-slip and slip resistant materials, preferably, the manufacturer itself should categorise how slippy the floor is in accordance with Health and Safety recommendations.

So what should you look for when deliberating overnon slip flooring?

Coefficient of Friction (Cof) is one thing, which will give you the accurate slip testing statistics. The Floor Slip Test CoF is determined by using the ‘Pendulum Test’ to BS 7976-2 or BS EN 13036-4:2011 standards. The lowest Pendulum Test Value (PTV) or Slip Resistance Value (SRP) on a horizontal floor surface is 36, but must be more for surfaces with inclines.

The next thing to consider is the Floor Surface Roughness Test (Rz). This designates the slip resistance but only gives an indication of floor friction. It has been well documented that the same flooring can have identical Rz but have different resistances. In response, the Health & Safety Government Laboratories have declared that it is more noticeable when floors are wet and that 90% of slips happen on smooth surfaces.

The Rz test is completed by using a movable floor tester like a Surtronic Duo, giving the floor an average roughness reading. This is useful if you need to monitor the changes in wear over time.

The R Rating or Ramp Test tests the floor by raising a ramp and setting it at different inclines, providing different results as the ramp gets steeper. The higher the ramp can go without a heel slip, then the better the rating.

This test is completed up to DIN 51130 standards, and the results can vary. It is normally used to test wet and dry floors, and to signal which floors may have been tainted.

The ABC Rating is a test that uses a barefoot to figure out how slippy a surface is. It is important to remember that floors classified as R9 and R10, and some in R11 may not be suitable in wet or greasy conditions.

How do you pick the correct non-slip floor? IMPORTANT!!!

The best thing to do is to remember that the suppliers’ information you are given at sale only relates to the product ‘as supplied’ and does not take into account situations like:

If wheelchairs are used on a regular basis. It is always best to check what angle the slope should be by reading your Building Regulations.

What pollutants could have been introduced during the construction or floor laying process; such as oil, blood, fat, sawdust and talcum powder.

The shoes that are worn. Slips and falls could be halted by asking all staff to wear non-slip shoes, or to purchase some for inside use only.

Floor Cleaning. Checking consistency and frequency.

With winter just around the corner, there are a great number of things to begin looking forward to. From ice skating, to skiing, to building snow men and women in the front yard, winter brings with it a myriad of exciting activities that are fun for every member of the family.

However, with all the fun that winter brings, there are a number of risks associated with it that every person should be familiar with. One of the most threatening winter hazards is the potential to slip and / or fall on patches of ice and snow that will accumulate if you live in a cold region. Slipping or falling on icy ground can lead to serious injuries including lacerations and broken bones, and can ruin your winter fun pendulum test.

Hopefully the tips presented below will help you understand some of the risks of winter weather and will help you enjoy your winter holidays free from injury.

Winter Safety Tips

· When walking on ground that is (or potentially is) slippery from ice and / or snow, make sure that you walk slowly and keep your hands empty and out of your pockets. In the event that you do slip and fall, you will want to make sure that you don't have anything in your hands so that you can use them to brace yourself and protect your head and face.

· Make sure you're wearing the right clothes for going out in winter weather. The most important piece of clothing you can wear in slippery conditions is a good pair of shoes. You will want shoes with good traction to grip the ground, and good ankle support to prevent a sprain or a twist if you should slip a little.

· Test the ground in front of you before you walk on it. Slippery ground does not always appear slippery, and so it is important to test the ground in front of you before transferring your full weight to it. Stick one foot out in front of you and move it around on the surface of the ground to test how slippery it is-this will give you a good idea of what it would be like to walk on it.