Abstract:

The annual cost of fall injuries in Australia, at approximately US$100 per head, is greater than any other single cause of accidental injury. Slip and fall prevention has thus become recognised as a national health priority area. Slip resistance standards are one of the most important research products, in that they can determine whether or not a product poses an unacceptable risk. However, the inherent limitations of the adopted slip resistance test methods have to be recognised in order to appreciate the difficulties associated with mandating certain levels of slip resistance. This paper reviews some of the legislative requirements that are driving slip resistance standards. It considers some of the options for developing future standards, with particular reference to adoption within mandatory building codes and enforcable occupational health and safety legislation.