Pedestrian Slip Resistance:
How to Measure It and
how to Improve It, Second Edition
New Book by William
English, CSP, P.E., Published July 2003
© 2003
The most complete safety engineering handbook
in print on slipmeters and pedestrian slip resistance
Table of Contents
Author's Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction to the Second Edition
xi
Chapter 1. Pedestrian
Slip Resistance: the Remaining Safety Frontier
1
Falls are the dominant controllable loss type in the workplace, as well
as in public places. The fall injury problem is understated, at that, and
careful accident analysis can show the importance of effective fall control
programs and suggest places to start making facilities safer. Causes of
slips. Identification of problem surfaces and suggested remedial treatments.
The physics of slipping. Slipmetering principles. Making the best of existing
floors. Maintenance practices. Using mats effectively. Selecting safer
footwear.
Chapter 2. The
Development of Historically Significant Slipmeters 15
NBS Research. The Hunter Machine. The Sigler Pendulum Tester. The British
Portable Skid Tester. The Brungraber Testers.
Chapter 3. Comparability
of Various Slipmeters 23
Many slipmeters don't agree. The Bucknell University Slipmeter Workshop
that compared nine kinds of slipmeters. Limitations of forceplate indications.
Crutchtip testers and their influence on development of the VIT. Ambulation
Ground Reaction Forces. Biofidelity of the XST shoe tester.
Chapter 4.
Myths About Pedestrian Slip Resistance 37
SCOF of .50. How people walk. Pedestrian traction demand. Measurement techniques.
Slider pad selection. The static/dynamic controversy. Traction requirements
on stairs. Psychological factors.
Chapter 5. Current
Slip Resistance Testing Standards 47
US testing standards in wide use: ASTM, ANSI, NFPA, OSHA. Non-standard
tribometers.
Chapter 6. Instruction
Manual for the English XL VIT 51
How to use the VIT. Applications for its use. Slider pad preparation. Using
the stair fixture. Recording results.
Chapter 7. The
Validation of Slipmeters 61
Must be able to avoid sticktion. Agreeing with fall statistics. Consideration
of gait dynamic parameters. The German Ramp Test. Slipmeter validation
guidelines. Validation of the VIT. Appendices: VIT precision workshop results.
Chapter 8. Effects
of Various Dynamic Parameters 77
Every parameter affects the slipmeter results: surface area, velocity,
force angle of impact, duration of application. Effects of slope.
Chapter 9. On
the Uses of Tribometery 83
Who is using slipmeters. What slipmeters are used for. Who is writing slipmeter
standards. Role of regulators.
Chapter 10.
Slips and Falls in Restaurants 89
The effects of grease on floors. Problem floors. Cleaning methods. The
grease polymerization problem. Effects of water hardness. Detergents.
Chapter 11. Bathing
Surfaces 97
Background on ASTM F462. Test protocol. Why the standard does not work.
Remedies for tub falls.
Chapter 12. Factoring
Slip Resistance into Means of Access to Mobile & Industrial Equipment
101
Design parameters for access ladders, steps, handholds and walking surfaces.
Fire fighting apparatus. Human factors considerations. Avoiding product
liability arising from negligent design.
Chapter 13. Traction
Testing of Footwear 111
US testing standards and their limitations. Available shoe traction testing
apparatus. SATRA Machine. The Australian analog. Redfern machines. English
XST. English SST and other sportshoe testers.
Chapter 14. OSHA:
the Politics of Slip Resistance 125
The "English II" OSHA research project, including a copy of the
report to OSHA, "Investigation of Means of Enhancing Footwear Traction
for Ironworkers Working at Heights," with appendices. The basis of
new OSHA regulation.
Chapter 15.
Slider Pads 158
Qualities of an acceptable pad material. Deficiencies of leather. Neolite.
Neoprene. 4-S rubber. Other materials. Pad preparation. The effects of
temperature. The effects of contaminants.
Chapter 16. Should
the Threshold of Safety Be .50? 165
Historical precedent: Underwriters Labs, D21, OSHA, ATBTB, C21, case law,
expert opinion. The effects of contaminants on available traction. Other
factors.
Chapter 17. Practical
Aspects of Field Testing 171
Testfoot preparation. Standard reference surface. Tightness of universal
joint. Testing protocol. Testing downhill. Cleaning up after testing. Instrument
calibration.
Glossary 175
Publications by William English
178
CV of William English 181
The book contains 200 pages and is profusely illustrated.
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P. O. Box 985
Alva, FL 33920
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