Get a good foothold

How to reduce the risk of slip accidents.

Slip accidents are one of the primary causes of fall injuries in the workplace. That is why we at Sika Footwear always focus on slip resistance and the slip resistant properties in our products.

Right now, slip resistance is getting increased attention from several different industries, and this is for a good reason. Slip resistant footwear can prove to be a really good investment – for both health and the bottom line. At Sika Footwear we have many years of experience in developing slip resistant work footwear for different industries and environments, and our consultants are always ready to help you be more secure on your feet in the workplace.

Did you know that?

25,4% of all reported work accidents are due to slips, falls or crashes – and the average cost of serious work accidents is approximately DKK 85,000.


SOURCE: Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries 2016, PriceWaterHouseCoopers
and the Aarhus University, School of Business and Social Sciences


What is slip resistance?

Slip resistance is a general term for the slip resistant properties of the footwear, in conjunction with the substrate, the person and the environment in which the person is moving.

The fact that a shoe is certified as being slip resistant is no guarantee against slip accidents, but it means that the risk is significantly reduced. When working with slip resistance, there are many factors you need to be aware of:

 

The footwear

Sole and pattern, construction, flexibility, wear, etc.

The substrate

Type, coarseness, hardness, polish, contamination, any spillages, etc.

The human factor

Age, mobility, vision, distractions, capability of reacting etc.

The location

Lighting, obstacles, stairs, ramps, changes in surface, etc.

In the following 4 videos, we reveal that the reason for many slip and fall accidents is a combination of footwear, surface, the individual and the environment:

What should I look for in the footwear?

Certification

Look for footwear with one of the following three certifications. The test measures the friction between the sole and the substrate – both with flat contact and on the heel.

The outsole is slip tested on ceramic tiles with a soap solution
The outsole is slip tested on steel plate with glycerine
The outsole is slip tested to SRA and SRB

Sole pattern

A good sole pattern is designed for the environment in which the shoes are going to be used. It displaces liquid, prevents dirt from getting stuck, and ensures easy cleaning.

Read more about slip-resistant sole patterns here

Material

There are a number of sole materials that have slip resistant properties in conjunction with the substrate and the environment.

  • RUBBER OUTSOLE: Extra slip resistant, durable, flexible and with opportunity for details and additional colours on the outsole. 
    PU OUTSOLE: Slip resistant, shock absorbing, durable and flexible (even in the cold). After a short period of use the sole becomes more slip resistant.
    TPU OUTSOLE: Slip resistant, durable, flexible and with opportunity for details and additional colours on the outsole. 
    NITRILE RUBBER OUTSOLE: Slip resistant, extra durable and flexible. Nitrile rubber is heat resistant and can withstand temperatures of up to 300 °C for one minute (HRO).

Contact surface

The larger the contact surfaces between the sole and the substrate, the higher the friction. If the sole is flat and flexible, a larger contact surface is created, as well as a better feel for the substrate.

Interested in learning more?

If you have questions or are unsure about which footwear is best suited to your workplace, please contact your Sika Footwear consultant.

Find your consultant here