Slip Fall Prevention articles, an Australian view
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From Australia This recent article is an absolute must for architects, designers and product specifiers and highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in sustainability of pedestrian surfaces, including cleaning companies. It goes into more details and explains the history, the various test methods employed and results obtained. It also mentions view of various international codes and standards and explains the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” methodology implemented in Quality Management Systems. This test is proposed to be included in the new upcoming Australian and New Zealand Slip Resistance standards. "Conscientious architects understand the need to specify floor surfaces in terms of slip resistance, obtain test results, and document that they have mitigated the risk of pedestrian slip incidents. Ideally the slip resistance of surfaces would not change; however, slip resistance audits have long confirmed that the performance of many seemingly slip resistant materials will reduce significantly over time. Thus test results obtained on factory fresh surfaces may be illusory, misleading designers into specifying products that may be potentially hazardous within weeks or months of installation. This has serious implications for the architect when specifying a surface. The loss of slip resistance with use may be attributed to a range of complex interacting factors including the installation process, surface treatments, maintenance and wear. Slip resistance will always be part of a wider set of design objectives including practicality, aesthetics, cleanability, cost and functionality. These sometimes competing objectives need to be balanced in a manner that does not compromise the safety and health of those who access the building." Click on Sustainable Slip Resistance An Opportunity for Innovation to read more |
Enhanced Test Methods for Assessing Sustainable Slip Resistance
Slip Check Pty Ltd
by Carl Strautins
This article quantifies the initial test results of accelerated wear test results which purpose is to identify those products that have the propensity to lose their slip resistance over a relatively short period of time. This test is proposed to be included in the new upcoming Australian and New Zealand Slip Resistance standards.
"Based on the current state of building construction and regulation, the main health and safety risk in buildings appears to from slips, strips and falls (Atec Group, 2003). While building regulations have reduced most societal risk, individual risks gaining prominence, particularly in developed countries where the cost of slip and fall public liability claims is high.
Safe design employs life cycle concepts and applies to every phase from conception through the disposal. This involves eliminating hazards and minimising risks as early in the life cycle as possible. Australian architects understand the need to specify in terms of slip resistance, obtain test results for proposed floor surfaces, and document that they have mitigated the risk of pedestrian slip incidents during the design stage. Ideally the slip resistance of surfaces will not change over time; however, slip resistance audits have confirmed that the performance of many seemingly slip resistant materials will reduce significantly over time. Thus results obtained of factory fresh surfaces may be illusory, misleading designers into specifying products that maybe hazardous within weeks or months of installation."
Click on Enhanced Test Methods for Assessing Sustainable Slip Resistance to read more.
Engineering Out Slips and Falls
Prepared for the Australian Building services Journal
by Richard Bowman
This excellent article summarises the current state of slip resistance and measurements from a very practical point of view and highlights some of the issues related to the subject.
"While many adults may slip, comparatively few fall. It may thus come as a shock to learn that 135,619 persons were discharged from Australian Hospitals Based on the current state of building construction and regulation. The main health and safety risk in buildings appears to from slips, strips and falls (Atec Group, 2003). While building regulations have reduced most societal risk, individual risks gaining prominence, particularly in developed countries where the cost of slip and fall public liability claims is high.
Safe design employs life cycle concepts and applies to every phase from conception through the disposal. This involves eliminating hazards and minimising risks as early in the life cycle as possible. Australian architects understand the need to specify in terms of slip resistance, obtain in 2003-04 after an unintentional fall. Falls on the same level from slipping, tripping and stumbling were clearly the predominant cause of injury. Given the litigious nature of our society, we should obviously do everything possible to prevent slips from occurring."
Click on Engineering Out Slips and Falls to read more.
