Slip Resistance vs. Skid Resistance
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We get involved in slip & fall cases where the appropriateness of the floor covering is questioned. The issue revolves around the safety of the floor based on the Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF, the amount of drag created when a shoe sole interfaces the floor). The products involved include vinyl flooring, ceramic tile, wood, stone, rubber flooring, epoxy coating, and polished concrete.
Floor covering materials are tested in a laboratory, using the James Machine, to identify the SCOF prior to sales. Polished concrete is a field application, and laboratory testing cannot be performed.
OSHA, and ANSI identify slip resistance of 0.5 as being safe.