Cleaning was a significant factor in assessments this week, so why is cleaning important for slip resistance?

• The purpose of cleaning for slip resistance is to remove the build up of ingrained dirt within the profile of the floor surface.
• Over time dirt builds up within the floor profile, smoothing it and making it slippery in wet conditions. 
• A simple analogy is that of a car tyre, with sufficient tread it performs in the wet, like a clean floor, when smooth/bald it is dangerously slippery, like a dirty floor.
• In the worst cases of both cleaning and contamination we have seen floor surfaces move from a low to high slip risk classification in the space of a week.
• Sanitising and/or disinfecting a surface, hygienic as it is, will not help slip resistance as dirt deposits have not been removed.
• Buffing or polishing a surface to improve aesthetic appearance will be similarly ineffective for the same reason.

It isn’t controversial to suggest that understanding the basics in a particular field can save you time, money and effort in the longer term. Slip resistance(slip testing) remains a field that is stubbornly misunderstood however, with suppliers, managers, end users and insurers all suffering unnecessarily.  I am regularly frustrated by Client's making seemingly obvious mistakes, leaving them with big problems, all because they don't (and couldn't reasonably be expected to) share my knowledge in the field, and this week has been no exception.

Of course what is a basic understanding to an expert focused on a single narrow field may be interpreted differently by those who have a significantly wider field of responsibilities all vying for their time and attention.  The fact remains that reducing slips is likely to pay dividends in future, with less time, money and effort spent on accident reports, compensation claims, court appearances and remedial works.  With slip accidents being among the most prevalent, this particular field is worth the consideration of any and all whose underlying responsibility is to prevent injuries and loss. 

“Slip resistance is a fixed value, if I lay a 43PTV tile, or improve an existing floor to 43PTV, it will still be 43PTV in a year...”

This was the line of thought held by a Client I visited this week, and it is by no means uncommon.  If slip resistance really were a constant I would be out of a job.  Luckily for me, and sadly for those responsible, flooring products will inevitably change over time.  If you consider a car tyre as an analogy, it may be rated for very good grip from the factory, however it will perform differently depending on whether it is installed properly, whether it is wet or dry, whether it is clean or dirty, the type of road (shoe sole) surface and how worn the profile is.  It is only necessary for the tyre/floor to provide less than adequate grip in one condition/situation and an accident or near miss will occur.