The Science of Slip Resistance

02 October 2024

Event/News

As part of mandatory testing for the latest edition of the EN 20345:2022+A1:2024 standard, footwear is tested for forward heel slip resistance and backward forepart (ball of the foot) slip resistance at a 7° angle on a ceramic floor tile with a soapy water (Sodium Lauryl Suphate) solution. 

 

An additional, more demanding test, using glycerol oil on a ceramic tile (to simulate an oily/greasy floor) can be performed; the test measures backward slip on the ball of the foot with the heel raised and forward heel slip at a 7° angle and boots that pass this additional test can be marked SR.

These tests replace the previous SRA and SRB tests in the 2011 version of the EN 20345 standard. SRA testing was similar to the mandatory test in the current standard and was assessed using soapy water on a ceramic tile. The SRB test used oil (Glycerol) on a steel plate; this test had a very low pass/fail limit and the error in measurement was +/- 50%. The pass value is so low that the probability of a fall in this environment is still high, which is why this test has now been replaced. The SRC marking in the 2011 standard indicated that boots had passed both SRA and SRB tests. 

The vulcanised rubber sole on Workmaster™ boots produces very high levels of slip resistance with soapy water on a ceramic tile (the most common use case scenario), and these test results have been confirmed during customer wear tests. Due to the performance characteristics of the sole material, boots with our vulcanised rubber sole also achieve a pass on the new SR (glycerine on a ceramic tile) test and the previous SRB (oil on steel test). Boots with a vulcanised sole that have been assessed to the new standard are marked EN 20345:2022+A1:2024 SR, boots that have not yet been reassessed are marked EN 20345:2011 SRC.

Note: Some manufacturers add rubber to PVC to improve its resistance to fuel & oil, but this is not the same as a vulcanised sole and does not improve slip performance.

 



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