STANDARD
FOR
FORENSIC ENGINEERS WHO INVESTIGATE SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS.

1.1 This standard, for Forensic Engineers who investigate slip / fall accidents, covers the static and dynamic coefficient of friction (SCOF) requirements for walkways and footwear in order to be called "Slip Resistant Walkways" and "Slip resistant Footwear" under both dry and wet (water) conditions.

3.1 All uniform definitions of terms, that affect public safety, are stated in 2.1 and 2.2.

4.1 This STANDARD references universal specification / test methods for measuring the SCOF and DCOF of footwear and walkway materials and coatings in both the laboratory and field. Manufacturers of these materials, who use the various conflicting ASTM and ANSI test methods for measuring the SCOF of flooring and footwear products, may continue to use their test methods in addition to 2.1 and 2.2. These methods correlate with slip / fall accident rate. (Ref: 12 of 2.1 & 2.2)

4.2 Forensic engineers, in order to be credible expert witnesses in slip/fall cases, should use 2.1 and 2.2.

4.3 The public's safety requires that uniform specification / test methods be used when measuring the SCOF of walkway and footwear surfaces in both the field and laboratory.

5.1 Slip Resistant Walkways, Slip Resistant Footwear, Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF), Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF used over seas)

This STANDARD is under the jurisdiction of Voices of Safety International (VOSI) committee V41.20 on "Pedestrian Slip Resistance Requirements for Walkways & Footwear".

Copies are available from Voices of Safety International (VOSI), 264 Park Ave., North Caldwell, N.J. 07006. Ph (973) 228-2258, fax (973) 228-0276.