Aug 19, 2026 |
Footwear
How Slip Resistance is Scientifically Tested
Slips, trips, and falls are the most frequent injuries in workplaces of various kinds. From manufacturing plants and warehouses to hospitals and food-processing enterprises, proper footwear is crucial for minimising the probability of these accidents. But do you know how manufacturers check if their products are really slip-resistant?
The thing is that these shoes are tested scientifically. In contrast to the claims about the slip resistance or tread pattern of outsoles, the process of measuring the actual level of grip is conducted in a lab environment. So let's take a closer look at this process.
Why Slip Resistance Is Important
A slip happens when there isn't enough friction between the shoe and the walking surface. Contaminants, such as water, oil, grease, dust, or smooth floors can affect the level of friction.
According to occupational safety organisations around the world, slips and falls belong to one of the most widespread causes of workplace injuries. Therefore, slip resistance testing helps ensure proper grip under various conditions.
What Is Slip Resistance Testing
In this type of testing, the amount of friction created between the sole of a shoe and the walking surface is measured.
It is usually calculated in the form of Coefficient of Friction (COF). This value reflects the ratio between the force of the shoe movement on the floor and the force with which the shoe presses on the floor.
Briefly:
For testing of these parameters special laboratory equipment is used.
Process of Testing
Though the testing process varies depending on the particular testing standard, the overall process is more or less alike.
1. Preparation of the Test Surface
The standard flooring material (ceramic tiles or steel plate, for example) is thoroughly cleaned and prepared. In some cases the surface is additionally treated with the contaminants such as water, oil, or detergent in order to imitate the real working environment.
2. Application of Force
The shoe is placed in the testing device with the controlled loading corresponding to the weight of a person standing or walking.
This step makes sure that the testing process is performed in the controlled conditions and the same for each shoe.
3. Measurement of Friction
The device moves the shoe along the surface while recording the friction produced by the interaction of the outsole with the floor.
The test results determine if the footwear meets the necessary requirements for slip resistance.material of the outsole
Common Testing Standards
There are various testing standards for protective footwear around the globe.
Among the most popular there are:
Indian Safety Standards and Certifications:
IS 15298 (Part 2): 2024 – Indian Standard for safety footwear. Every Acme safety shoe in the catalogue is ISI Certified as per IS 15298 (Part 2): 2024, ensuring compliance with Indian safety requirements.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) – India's national standards body responsible for formulating and maintaining quality and safety standards. ACME lists BIS among its recognised certifications, reinforcing its commitment to compliant manufacturing.
These standards describe the testing procedure, accepted performance indicators and surfaces and contaminants for testing.
Which Factors Influence Slip Resistance?
Various features affect the performance of the footwear during testing. They are:
Even though the shoes can be made of good materials, their efficiency decreases as the surface gets worn, which is why the regular inspection and replacing are needed.
Why Laboratory Testing Is Important
One cannot estimate the performance of shoes just by visual inspection.
Testing allows getting:
reliable and reproducible results
measurable performance of the products
compliance with the safety standards
confidence of the employers and employees
It also gives manufacturers the possibility to make improvements in outsole designs and produce footwear suitable for various industries like healthcare, food processing, logistics, and manufacturing.
Can Slip-Resistant Shoes Prevent Every Fall?
No.
Although slip-resistant shoes considerably decrease the chance of slipping and falling, nothing guarantees accident-free workplace practice.
Additional factors should be taken into account, such as:
Using both high-quality footwear and a safe work environment is the key to safety.
Conclusion
Slip resistance is not a myth and is not defined by any marketing strategy. It is a scientifically tested property of how effectively your shoe grips floors in particular circumstances.
Understanding of slip resistance tests allows employers and their workers to purchase appropriate footwear, which is safe and will perform well in practice. When combined with proper maintenance and safety measures in the workplace, slip-resistant footwear is one of the most efficient preventive measures against slip injuries.
FAQs
Q1. What is the coefficient of friction when slip resistance is tested?
A: The coefficient of friction (COF) is a parameter that evaluates how well one's feet stick to the floor. It is considered that a high coefficient means good adhesion and less chances to slip.
Q2. Which industries would be most benefitted by using slip-resistant shoes?
A : Food processing, health care, construction, warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, and logistics. These industries need shoes which will provide protection while working on slippery surfaces.
Q3. Will slip-resistant shoes wear off?
A: Yes, they will. Slip resistance is caused by the outsole, and with its wear-off, the tread and its properties decrease.
Q4. Does each pair of slip-resistant shoes undergo the same test?
A: No, there is no common test standard in all countries, even though they all evaluate the slip resistance of the shoes in controlled laboratory conditions. For example, some of them follow EN ISO 20345, others follow ASTM F2913, and some SATRA tests.
Q5. Will slip-resistant shoes prevent the employee's falling in the workplace?
A: It won't. However, it greatly decreases the chance to slip. Proper walking techniques, floor surface condition and periodical inspection of the footwear is also needed.
