Slip Testing in Edinburgh

Surface Performance LTD is the UK’s leading independent slip testing service provider. We cater to both public and private clients in Edinburgh and its suburbs.

Slip Testing in Edinburgh: Ensuring Safety and Reducing Risk for Businesses and Council’s.

Slip-related accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in both the workplace and public spaces. For businesses in Edinburgh, ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and visitors is essential to maintaining a safe environment and meeting legal obligations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by conducting regular **slip testing**.

Slip testing in Edinburgh measures the friction between a surface and a person’s footwear to determine the likelihood of a slip, helping businesses identify potential hazards before accidents occur. In this page, we’ll explore the importance of slip testing in Edinburgh, the methods involved, and why it’s essential for businesses in the city to incorporate regular testing into their safety protocols.

Why Slip Testing in Edinburgh Is Crucial

1. Legal Compliance

In the UK, businesses have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to provide a safe working environment. This includes ensuring that floors and walkways are free from hazards that may cause slips, trips, and falls. In Edinburgh, slip testing is an effective way for businesses to ensure compliance with these regulations. Regular testing can demonstrate due diligence in maintaining safe conditions, reducing the risk of legal claims or penalties.

2. Preventing Accidents and Injuries

Slips, trips, and falls are common accidents in many types of establishments. In Edinburgh, where cold and wet weather conditions prevail, surfaces like pavements, stairs, and floors are more susceptible to becoming hazardous. Slip testing helps businesses proactively address these risks, preventing accidents that could result in injury to employees, customers, and visitors.

3. Cost Savings

Slip-related accidents can lead to expensive consequences, including compensation claims, insurance costs, and medical expenses. Regular slip testing can help businesses identify and rectify slip hazards before accidents occur, saving both time and money in the long run. Additionally, businesses that demonstrate their commitment to safety often benefit from lower insurance premiums.

4. Maintaining a Positive Reputation

For businesses in Edinburgh, maintaining a good reputation is critical to attracting and retaining customers. A business that prioritizes safety by investing in slip testing is more likely to be seen as responsible and trustworthy. Whether you operate a hotel, restaurant, retail store, or healthcare facility, ensuring a safe environment will help foster trust and loyalty among your customers.

 Common Slip Testing Methods Used in Edinburgh

Several methods are used to test the slip resistance of surfaces. The most appropriate method depends on the specific surface type and environmental conditions. Here are the most commonly used methods for slip testing in Edinburgh:

 Pendulum Testin in Edinburgh

The pendulum slip test is widely regarded as one of the most accurate methods for measuring slip resistance. This test involves swinging a rubber or metal foot attached to a pendulum over a surface. The friction between the foot and the surface is measured, and the result is expressed as a Coefficient of Friction (CoF). A higher CoF indicates better slip resistance.

Surface Performance are Edinburgh’s leading provider of BS 7976 and BS EN 16165 UKAS accredited slip testing.

Wet Pendulum Testing

Given Edinburgh’s wet weather, wet pendulum testing is often used for surfaces that are likely to become slippery in wet conditions. This method uses water to simulate wet conditions, providing an accurate measurement of a surface’s slip resistance when it’s exposed to moisture.


Slip testing is essential in various sectors in Edinburgh, where different types of surfaces and varying foot traffic present unique risks. Here’s how slip testing applies to different industries:

#### **1. Retail and Hospitality**

In Edinburgh’s bustling retail and hospitality sectors, businesses experience high volumes of foot traffic daily. Whether it’s a store, hotel, or restaurant, wet floors due to weather or spills can create slip hazards. Slip testing helps ensure that entranceways, lobbies, and customer service areas remain safe for visitors and staff.

#### **2. Healthcare Facilities**

Hospitals, care homes, and medical practices in Edinburgh need to ensure that their floors meet strict safety standards, especially in areas prone to spills and wet conditions. Slip testing is vital to prevent accidents involving patients, staff, and visitors, where injuries can have more severe consequences.

#### **3. Construction and Industrial Sites**

For construction sites and industrial environments in Edinburgh, safety is a top priority. Slip testing is critical in areas where floors may be exposed to wet conditions or heavy machinery. By ensuring proper slip resistance, businesses in the construction and industrial sectors reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

#### **4. Public Spaces and Transportation**

Edinburgh is home to many public spaces, including shopping centres, transport stations, and outdoor areas that see significant foot traffic. Regular slip testing can identify potential risks in these areas, helping to protect the public and ensure that surfaces are safe for pedestrians, especially during wet and icy conditions.

### Benefits of Regular Slip Testing for Edinburgh Businesses

– **Improved Health & Safety Standards**: Slip testing ensures that your business is adhering to health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting a safer working environment.

– **Enhanced Liability Protection**: By proactively identifying and addressing slip hazards, businesses can reduce their exposure to legal and insurance risks in the event of an accident.

– **Reduced Costs**: Preventing slip-related accidents saves businesses money on insurance claims, legal fees, and compensation payouts.

– **Positive Reputation**: Businesses that prioritize safety show customers that they care about their wellbeing, helping to build trust and loyalty.

Conclusion: Stay Safe with Slip Testing in Edinburgh

Slip testing is an essential aspect of workplace safety for businesses in Edinburgh. With the city’s frequent wet weather and busy urban environment, ensuring the slip resistance of surfaces is critical to preventing accidents and promoting a safe space for employees, customers, and the public. Whether you run a café, a hospital, a retail shop, or manage a public facility, regular slip testing can help protect your reputation, reduce legal risks, and keep everyone safe.

If you are a business owner in Edinburgh, make slip testing a priority today. Ensure your premises are safe and compliant with the latest safety standards to avoid accidents and enhance the safety of everyone who enters your space.

    We use the latest pendulum slip testing equipment, which is able to identify the slip resistance values of any flooring type required. If you are in Edinburgh and would like to know more about the slip testing process or would like to book a slip test please use the form attached below.

    Significance of
    UKAS Certification

    The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole accreditation body recognised by Government to assess against internationally recognised slip resistance testing standards such as BS 7976 and The UK Slip Resistance Group.

    Surface Performance Ltd is accredited by UKAS to ISO 17025, which is the internationally recognised standard for the competence of laboratories. We hold slip resistance test methods BS 7976 and the UK Slip Resistance Guidelines within our schedule of UKAS accreditation. It is important to note that some companies may be UKAS accredited; however, they may not have specific accreditation for slip resistance testing.

    UKAS Certified Slip Testing Labs Serving Across UK

    We Care to
    Get Certified!

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      problem

      Paying compensation for slip/trip claims Safety of visitors, employees

      solution

      Surface Performance have reduced slip and trip claims by 60% Saved £2.4M

      Site Testing

      Safeguarding visitors,employees and members of the public with fully accredited slip testing.

      We provide thorough and effective UKAS accredited pendulum testing supported by an accurate UKAS report within 48 hours.

      Lab Testing

      Safeguarding your flooring products and systems with our best in class slip testing service. 

      The pre-testing of flooring material across multiple industries, as well as retail customers is a specialism and led by our team of qualified laboratory technicians.

      problem

      Need Product certification of tiles

      solution

      Show the certificate to sell their products. Reduction of insurance premium : 20% potential savings

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        Services

        Surface Performance offers a full spectrum of accredited slip resistance testing services. We comply with industry standards for slip risk assessments, product certification, BS 7976 Pendulum slip testing, and more to mitigate liability.

        Floor Safety

        Material Testing

        Slip Testing

        Pendulum Testing

        Ramp Testing

        Stair Safety

        Enquire

        Receiving an enquiry with all relevant information allows us to assist you

        Quotation

        We make sure you receive the best possible quotation the very same day

        Fix date & Assign Technician
        (within few hours)

        We employ experienced/technically sound technicians who are are fully trained and qualified to test to BS7976

        Attend sites on fixed date (Chosen on Step 3) & Generate Results (Same day)

        The technicians conduct thorough test and bring the lab data.

        Issue the test reports
        (within 48 hours after site testing)

        Issue the test reports We deliver the results within 48 hours of the site visit after analysing the data for all possible scenarios.

        Enquire

        Each inquiry is replied to within 24 hours of receiving it; that’s our policy! 

        Quotation

        With your vital inputs, we generate the best possible quote on the same day 

        Ship the Samples

        Track shipping details provided by you & inform you when the samples arrive

        Sample Conditioning

        Samples are conditioned for 24 hours following UKAS requirements

        Test and Report

        Various lab tests are performed & a test report is issued within 48 hours

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          About Us

          Surface Performance is a leading surface testing laboratory.

          Our in-depth experience and knowledge of flooring systems allow us to offer independent expert slip testing services & advice to our clients. 

          Surface Performance offers a mobile BS7976-2 slip testing service across the UK. All of our test equipment is modern and regularly calibrated. All of our on site slip testing is carried out in line with the HSE guidelines. 

          2000+
          Site jobs

          5000+
          Sample tested

          Our Vision

          Safe spaces all across the UK

          Our Mission

          To make all flooring, indoors and outdoors safe from the dangers of slippery surfaces

          Our Team

          Callum

          Callum has worked in the industry for over 15 years’. He holds extensive experience in UKAS accredited material and slip testing supporting many organisations.

          Our Achievements

          Served in
          0 Clients
          Of Service
          0 Years
          Saved for the Clients
          0 + Million

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            Businesses
            (OnSite Testing)

            Warehouses & Factories
            Facilities Management
            Airports, Train & Bus Stations
            Universities, Schools & Colleges
            Office Buildings
            Bridges and Walkways
            Museums
            Hospitality Services
            Contractors / Architects / Builders / Project Managers / Engineers
            Sports Playgrounds (Cover Cricket, Tennis & Football Courts)

            Products
            (Lab Testing)

            Stones and marbles
            Floor and ceramic tiles
            Metal floors and walkways
            Glass floors and resins
            Swimming pool
            Slip and Fall Hazards
            Wood and laminates
            On Site Testing
            Anti-slip products
            Shower trays

            Latest News

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            Faq

            It is correct that low-cost slip resistance services are available. However, the only slip resistance test results that are credible in litigation are more likely to be the ones that come from the UKAS Certified Labs.

            We are one of the three labs in the UK that hold UKAS certification. Though the low-cost slip testers will give you results, but how dependable are they? This should be considered before investing anything at all.

            Once our technicians have visited your premises and conducted a thorough test, they bring back all the data to the Surface Performance laboratory. Our technical analysts analyse the data for various possible scenarios and prepare the report. The reports are then delivered to you within 48 hours of our technicians leaving your premises.

            There is no definitive guidelines to this, however, a general rule of thumb is to have tests conducted once a year as a minimum, with more frequent tests carried out in high risk, busy environments.

            If there is any chance of anyone visiting the property, or if the property has any such arena that anyone might pass through (even by chance), then we recommend getting the property tested. After all, it is a small investment that keeps you safe from slip, trip and fall claim.

            If you own multiple properties, we would recommend a retainership agreement that will take off the pressure of scheduling which property is to be tested and when. We will provide you with fully auditable reports to ensure you are covered.

            When you employ our services on an ad-hoc basis, it would be a contractual slip testing service. However, most of our clients who initially contacted us for contractual services hire us on a retainership. A retainership agreement for slip-testing services takes the pressure of booking the services every two years off your hands.
             

            Guidance

            Need more information or have doubts about too much mixed information available on various sites? Here is a list of information that will help you understand various aspects of slip resistance floor testing.
            If you have any doubts, we are here for you. Feel free to get in touch with us via our contact us page.

            What is Slip Testing?

            Floor slip resistance testing is a scientific method of assessing the risk of slip, trip and fall on any flooring surface.

            Why Slip Testing?

            Underestimating the risks and not taking them seriously. Little to no comprehension of the causes

            What is R rating?

            ‘R’ ratings for the floor slip assessment are Ramp Test Rating range of values.

            What is UKAS certification ?

            UKAS certification and UKAS accreditation are both quality assurance process that ensures impartiality and competence

            Why UKAS certified Lab?

            UKAS Accreditation assesses the lab’s competence, impartiality, work compliance with recognised national & international standards

            Videos

            testimonial

            Surface Performance Ltd have been working with us since 2012 on a monthly basis. They provide ongoing assessments relating to the performance and quality of the flooring across all of our sites. Through providing independent and accredited test results, we can manage our internal property development plans and ensure that our liability is minimised

            Premier League Football Club

            We have instructed Surface Performance to carry out slip testing at all of our warehouses that have high foot and vehicle traffic. The flooring is tested after initial installation to check that our contractors have achieved the PTV values that we specify in both dry and wet conditions. Surface Performance are always available at late notice and their reporting time is exceptionally efficient.

            Amazon Warehouse

            Surface Performance Ltd have carried out UKAS accredited BS 7976 and UKSRG testing and certification to our entire range of 35 products. We enjoyed a fascinating tour of their laboratory during the process and we cannot recommend enough the professionalism of the laboratory team. We now provide all new clients with copies of the UKAS reports as part of our product marketing literature.

            Decking Manufacturer

            We were delighted with the last minute slip test that we arranged with Surface Performance at one of our London properties following an incident that happened in a canteen area. We were able to demonstrate that the flooring was fit for purpose in both dry and wet conditions through accredited testing.

            National Health Service

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              Our Service Area

              We provide our slip testing services all across the United Kingdom