It is a requirement of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, amongst others, that slip risks must be controlled so as not to expose employees, visitors, members of the public etc to harm. Manufacturers and suppliers of flooring products have a duty to ensure they are safe and do not pose an undue risk of slipping. If you are not monitoring and controlling slip risks you are not complying with these statutory requirements.
There is a strong moral case for testing, with moral implications of causing painful, serious, sometimes life threatening injury to those for which you are responsible. Similarly strong is the economic case, with even the most thorough and expansive test remit typically costing under £1000 and a single compensation claim costing well in excess of that, insured or otherwise. Other factors should be considered too, reduced productivity of the work force, sick pay, adverse publicity, possibility of fines and increased insurance costs.
As awareness of the implications of slippery floors grow insurers are rewarding those with demonstrably safe floors with discounted premiums.
If you don't commission slip testing today there is unlikely to be any immediate loss. If and when the inevitable slip does occur however, you can expect to pay many times the cost of a proactive slip risk assessment in terms of both time and money, and some unlucky soul will have suffered a preventable injury.
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