Slip Resistance

The following test for slip resistance was performed by Jay W. Preston, CSP. PE, CMIOSH, CXLT, of Safetybiz, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA. The test was performed using the NBS Brungraber (Mark I) Number 76 for ASTM F-462 & ASTM F-1678 Standard.

According to Jay Preston, slip resistant testing has been found to show radical differences in shoe performance, based on shoe brand, sole design, and sole wear.  This is why he relies on a standard test medium.  The one that is generally accepted is the synthetic leather known as Neolite.  A barefoot test was also performed, as PEM^® is routinely utilized in the aquatic and marine environments.

PEM^® Matting was tested on both a wet and dry surface.

PEM^® High Friction Matting was tested on both a wet and dry surface.

The generally accepted non-slip or “safe” value for slip resistance is .50. Above .50, the higher the value, the greater the slip resistance and the “safer” it is, until about .85, where the surface has so much friction that it may be a tripping hazard.

The test results are shown below:

PEM^® Matting

Test Medium	Dry Surface	Wet Surface
Neolite:	0.60	0.52
Barefoot:	0.68	0.63

PEM^® High Friction Matting - (An aluminum oxide "grit material" is applied to PEM® for the toughest applications.)

Test Medium	Dry Surface	Wet Surface
Neolite:	0.65	0.56