RR547 - A study of the characteristics of cementitious surface toppings and applied concrete

Slips & trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work and they occur in almost all workplaces; 95% of major slips result in broken bones. In a typical year, slips and trips account for 33% of all reported major injuries and 20% of over-3-day injuries to employees. The construction sector has a higher rate of slips and trips than any other sector. Rarely is there a single cause of a slipping accident, and so a holistic approach to reducing the number of slip accidents is required. The major contributing factor in a slip accident is the interaction of the pedestrians heel and the floor surface. The potential for slip will depend on the footwear worn, the nature of the floor surface and the presence of any contamination.

Cementitious floors are present in many work places, particularly in the construction sector and in warehouses. The slip resistance of these surfaces will depend on the application technique used, and therefore the surface finish obtained. The aim of this study was to assess the slip resistance of cement floors applied using a variety of techniques and to determine whether the application of dry shake techniques such as surface hardeners and dust inhibitors effects the slip properties of the surface.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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• More information about Slips and trips research can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/slips/research.htm

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