Slips Assessment Tool

The Slips Assessment Tool (SAT) is a computer program freely available from the HSE.

Using the SAT Slips Assessment Tool

The tool requires use of a surface roughness meter. Grip Potential employ the Surtronic Duo though many others are available. The SAT uses surface roughness (Rz) measurements and information about the floor surface input by the user to generate a slip risk rating. Assessment can be carried out using a laptop on site or using a proforma results sheet printable from within the program.

Benefits of the SAT Slips Assessment Tool

Shortcomings of the SAT are its basis on surface roughness measurement which gives an unreliable measurement of a floor's slip resistance.

The slips assessment tool is a way for those without an in depth technical knowledge of slips to assess slip risk in house relatively inexpensively. The SAT can be used with theoretical data to show the impact changing a certain factor would have on the slip risk of a floor.

Limitations of the SAT Slips Assessment Tool

The user is prompted to answer questions to form a risk assessment in line with the Slips Potential Model.

A slip risk rating is produced based on real or theoretical data. The ability to predict slip ratings based on changes to factors such as cleaning method is very powerful.

Based around the slips potential model, taking into account controllable and predictable factors affecting slip risk, the slips assessment tool aims to provide a way to identify areas of high slip risk.

This tool is intended for the novice and does not give the same degree of accuracy or reliability of assessment as a formal pendulum test. Unfortunately, due to the reliance of the program on Rz data, reports generated can be misleading. It should not, therefore, be considered as a method for specifying floors or fulfilling statutory requirements for slip testing. Results from the slips assessment tool are unlikely to stand up to the scrutiny of legal proceedings.

The shortcomings in the accuracy of the slips assessment tool come from its basis on surface roughness measurement. Surface roughness measurements predict hydrodynamic squeeze film behaviour, unreliably, whilst pendulum assessment directly and accurately measures it. Surface roughness can give an indication of slip risk, however it can be highly variable within a relatively small area.

"Rz measurements should not be used in isolation, or as the basis of floor specification." - www.hse.gov.uk

"The interpretation of micro-roughness measurements is based on comparison with slip resistance measurements, and so on this basis, it cannot be considered as reliable as Pendulum Test Values. Neither can it be considered an independent test of slip resistance" - UKSRG Guidelines V4

Macro profiles can significantly affect results recorded with a surface roughness meter, in turn altering the slip risk classification offered by the slips assessment tool. Further information on surface roughness and its effect on slip resistance can be found here.

Conclusion

Not as accurate or reliable as the expert assessment conducted by Grip Potential, the SAT remains a useful tool for non-specialists to highlight high slip risk areas and contributing factors. Our competitive rates mean it is almost always cheaper to commission a full assessment than to purchase a roughness meter. If in possession of a meter however, the SAT is a way to highlight any problem areas for further investigation with a more in depth assessment such as pendulum testing.

We would never recommend a method of testing to our clients which produced less than reliable results. We would not recommend that any measurement of slip risk is based on Rz values alone given their unreliable correlation with measured PTV's.

Further information

Slip Test Services
Rz Surface Roughness
Slip Prevention Tips

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