Workplace Footwear and Slip Risk – Employer Briefing
We regularly find footwear in use that falls into a high-risk category where slips are likely in normal conditions.
No wonder then that slip incidents remain one of the most common causes of workplace injury. In many environments, employers provide “safety footwear” to manage risk, but slip resistance is often not properly understood or verified.
While footwear may meet required standards, this does not guarantee it will perform effectively in real-world conditions. As a result, organisations can unknowingly issue footwear that does not adequately reduce the risk of slipping.
This briefing from Neospire® explains how slip risk in footwear can now be measured, understood, and managed more effectively.
It covers:
Why standard “slip-resistant” claims may not reflect real-world performance
How slip risk varies significantly between different footwear products
How coefficient of friction (CoF) links directly to likelihood of slipping
Why small improvements in performance can lead to large reductions in accidents
How employers can benchmark footwear and make more informed procurement decisions
This is essential reading for health and safety professionals, procurement teams, and employers responsible for providing workplace footwear.
The cost of testing is typically small compared to the cost of footwear provision and slip-related incidents.
Most organisations begin by testing a small number of commonly used footwear to understand their current risk exposure.
For Employers & Footwear Buyers
Slip risk varies significantly between footwear, even when products meet the same standard. The most effective way to reduce risk is to understand which shoes perform, and which don’t.
We provide independent testing using the SoleXT™ system, measuring slip performance under controlled conditions (dry, water, and glycerol contamination) and reporting maximum CoF achieved, equivalent slip risk (likelihood of slipping), and performance across different contaminants.
This allows you to quickly identify which footwear presents a higher slip risk, which products perform reliably in your environment, and what you should stop buying—and what to switch to.
Getting started
A standard footwear assessment is:
£200 + VAT per footwear model
This includes testing under dry, wet, and glycerol conditions on a defined surface.
Most organisations begin by testing a small number of commonly used footwear to understand their current risk exposure.
How we support you
Depending on your needs, we can:
• Test footwear currently in use across your workforce
• Identify high-risk products that should no longer be purchased
• Benchmark alternative footwear before procurement
• Support development of internal purchasing standards
All testing is conducted on a confidential basis.
Cost vs risk
The cost of testing is typically small compared to the cost of footwear provision and slip-related incidents. Testing a small number of products provides clear visibility of risk and supports more informed purchasing decisions.