Slip test ratings: What do they mean? What do they mean for your workplace?

What does a slip test rating mean?

Slip resistance refers to the amount of resistance the sole of the shoe exerts while moving over the walking surface. It’s measured using the Coefficient of Friction (COF), the ratio between the maximum frictional force that the sole applies and the forcepushing the sole across the surface.

Slip resistance is measured on a scale that runs from 0.00 up to 1.00, 0.00 being equivalent to a skating rink and 1.00 equivalent to a dry carpet. The higher the number, the greater the slip resistance. All brands claiming to be slip resistant must use the same testing method called the SATRA test. They must then post their claim on the shoe label according to CSA I95.

But buyer beware: there is no one-size-fits-all solution for slip-resistant footwear. Unlike CSA safety standards for toe and plate protection, national standards for slip-resistant footwear in the workplace don’t exist in Canada. And when you layer in workconditions like moisture, liquids, heat or cold that impact slip resistance, then what you really need to ask is not “arethese shoes is slip resistant”, but rather “How slip resistant will these shoes be in your work environment”.

Read more insights from experts and health & safety managers on this topic and more in our white paper Creating a Slip, Trip and Fall Safety Plan for Your Workplace.

Simply email us at biz@mistersafetyshoes.com and we’ll email you a digital copy!