Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Slips and trips
The table presented below is an update to the report HSL/2007/33 Further slip-resistance testing of footwear for use at work [PDF 480KB]
which was published in May 2007. The ongoing programme of testing has generated results for a further 20 footwear samples. Six of these are new in this most recent update.
Full details of the testing procedures followed, along with explanations and discussions of the results, can be found in the original report.
The new table includes both the information previously reported, and the additional test results. It is important that the new table is interpreted within the context of the original report and not used as a ‘stand alone’ document.
Note that where footwear is no longer available, it has been removed from the list.
The results presented will give an indication of slip resistance of a new shoe, but may not give a true representation of the performance of a shoe after a moderate period of use. This is an important issue when using the table as an aid to select footwear, and HSE advises that field trials are the best way to assess the suitability of footwear for any given environment.
Procurers of footwear should not select footwear on the basis of laboratory test results alone. Footwear selection also has to take account of a number of other factors, such as comfort, durability and any additional safety features required, such as ankle protection or steel mid-sole. The final choice may have to be a compromise. Procurers should always fully describe their requirements to suppliers – e.g. specify working environment, nature of flooring, expected surface contamination etc.