Slip Resistance Comparison of Footwear on Two Flooring Types Using Mechanical Testing Approach

Abstract

Slips and falls are major safety concerns across various populations, including healthcare workers, kitchen staff, warehouse employees, etc. Footwear type plays a crucial role in preventing slip-related falls. A high Coefficient of Friction (COF) between footwear soles and flooring surfaces is essential to maintain balance and stability. This study evaluated the COF of 12 commonly available footwear in the market on two types of floorings — quarry tile and Majorca Fog polished rectified porcelain (MFP) — under dry and wet conditions. According to the ASTM F3445-24 threshold of 0.4, all footwear was safe on dry surfaces for both types of tiles, and on wet quarry tiles, except footwear 2, but unsafe on wet MFP tiles. Statistical analysis showed that COF values for quarry tiles were significantly lower under dry conditions compared to MFP tiles. However, under wet conditions, the COF values for the quarry tile increased significantly, exceeding that of the MFP tile. These findings were proof of concept for ongoing efforts to design safer footwear considering footwear characteristics such as outsole material, and tread patterns that may influence slipping risk.