In a busy UK commercial environment—retail, hospitality, offices, healthcare—slips are one of the most common causes of injury. A single incident can mean staff absence, customer claims, reputational harm, and regulatory headaches. That’s why regular, competent slip testing isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s a core risk-management control that proves your surface is safe in real use, not just on a product sheet. The most relied-upon method in the UK is the pendulum test, giving a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) you can act on—and defend.
What Exactly Is a Slip Test?
The Pendulum Test (PTV) in a nutshell
The pendulum test swings a standardised rubber slider over the floor to simulate a heel strike and measures the friction available. The reading is expressed as PTV. The UK regulator (HSE) and courts recognise the pendulum—tested to British/European standards and operated to UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) guidance—as the preferred way to assess pedestrian slip risk.
Alternative methods (ramp tests, surface roughness) and where they fit
Other assessments exist—ramp tests (often oil-based, lab only) and surface roughness checks (quick screening, not a standalone legal defence). They can add context but don’t replace a competent pendulum test for public walkways.
The UK Legal Landscape You Must Navigate
Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957—your duty of care
If you control premises, you owe visitors a “common duty of care” to keep them reasonably safe. Demonstrable slip-risk management (testing, maintenance, signage) is key evidence that you took reasonable steps
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992—condition of floors
Regulation 12 requires floors and traffic routes to be suitable and not slippery to endanger people. Regular slip testing helps you prove “suitable” with objective data, not assumptions.
Standards & Guidance: BS 7976 vs BS EN 16165
The transition and what it means for building owners
UK pendulum testing historically referenced BS 7976; it has been superseded by BS EN 16165, with pendulum methods retained and outcomes broadly comparable. Competent testers will work to the current standard and UKSRG guidance.
HSE/UKSRG recognition of the pendulum as a preferred method
HSE and UKSRG identify the pendulum (to guideline methods) as the preferred assessment for pedestrian surfaces, and results are widely used in litigation—so they carry real evidential weight
What Do PTV Scores Mean?
High/Moderate/Low slip potential explained
UK guidance classifies PTV like this:
- 0–24: High slip potential
- 25–35: Moderate slip potential
- 36+: Low slip potential
This simple scale helps dutyholders make decisions quickly and consistently.
Why “36+ wet” is the benchmark outcome to aim for
- In real life, many floors are walked on wet or contaminated—entrances in rain, kitchens, washrooms, supermarkets. That’s why practitioners aim for PTV ≥ 36 in the expected end-use conditions (often wet).
Why Slip Testing Pays—Real-World Benefits
Fewer incidents, fewer claims, less downtime
Proactive testing identifies hotspots before accidents happen—reducing injuries, claims, and operational interruptions.
Better insurance posture and brand trust
Objective evidence (certificates, photos, test maps) signals a mature safety culture to insurers and stakeholders, strengthening negotiations and public confidence.
Where Slip Risk Hides in Commercial Sites
Entrances, lobbies, and walkways
Water tracked in from outside, cleaning residues, and smooth finishes make entrances prime risk zones.
Washrooms, kitchens, supermarkets, gyms, pools
Frequent contamination (water, oils, powders) and high footfall increase the slip exposure—your testing plan should prioritise these.
External steps, ramps, car parks
Weather, algae, and gradients can significantly reduce friction. External areas need seasonal checks and good housekeeping.
When (and How Often) Should You Test?
New builds and refurbishments
Test before handover to confirm the specification actually delivers safe PTVs in situ. Repeat after refurbishment or changes to cleaning products/processes.
Seasonal changes and after incidents
Schedule periodic tests—e.g., biannual or quarterly in high-risk areas—and always after an accident, complaint, or a significant spill/flooding event.
How a Professional Pendulum Test Is Carried Out
Site prep, contamination, swing counts, and reporting
A competent tester will:
- Inspect and clean test spots to remove residues that could skew results.
- Test in the real contaminant you’re worried about (water, oil, dust) where appropriate.
- Take multiple swings to stabilise readings and record PTV with photos and location references.
- Provide a traceable certificate aligned to current standards and UKSRG guidance.
Representative sampling across risk zones
Expect a test plan mapping entrances, slopes, turning points, transitions (tile to vinyl), and areas near spill sources to ensure results represent how people actually move through the site.
Interpreting Results Like a Pro
Context: footwear, contaminants, and cleaning regimes
The same floor can behave differently depending on footwear, contaminants, and how you clean it. Use PTVs alongside observations about who walks here, what gets spilled, and when.
Complementary checks (e.g., roughness) to validate decisions
Surface roughness can help diagnose why PTVs dipped (polish build-up, smooth wear paths), guiding the right remedial action—but it should support, not replace, pendulum evidence.
The R-Rating Trap—Why It’s Not Enough on Its Own
“R-ratings” (DIN 51130) are lab ramp tests with oil and specific footwear. They’re useful for product comparison but often don’t predict on-site wet-water performance for public spaces. Don’t rely on R-ratings alone to sign off a lobby or supermarket aisle—use pendulum testing in end-use conditions.
Fixing Problems the Right Way
Cleaning and maintenance that actually improves grip
Many slip failures are cleaning failures—detergent residues or dirty pads leave micro-films that slash PTVs. Specify correct chemistry, dilution, dwell time, and pads, and verify with spot checks.
Treatments, matting, replacement flooring
If cleaning won’t get you to 36+ wet, consider anti-slip treatments, entrance matting, profiled inserts, or ultimately replacement with a surface proven (by pendulum) to meet your target PTV on site.
Task-appropriate footwear (HSE GRIP scheme)
For staff exposed to persistent contamination (e.g., kitchens), specify footwear with independently tested GRIP ratings to complement floor controls.
Writing Specifications That Prevent Problems
When procuring or refurbishing, write in a requirement for PTV ≥ 36 in wet conditions for areas likely to be contaminated, verified on site at handover (not just a lab certificate). This ensures the delivered floor is safe where and how it will be used.
Documentation That Protects You
Certificates, photos, site maps, and risk assessments
Keep a tidy audit trail: test certificates, annotated plans of test points, photos of test setup and contaminant, cleaning logs, and updated risk assessments referencing your results. If an incident occurs, you can demonstrate reasonably practicable controls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Testing only dry (when the area is often wet).
- Relying on product data rather than on-site measurements.
- Using incorrect sliders, contaminated pads, or poor test technique.
- Skipping re-tests after cleaning changes or maintenance.
- Treating R-ratings as a guarantee for public wet areas.
