New Research Highlights the Risks of Slippery Dry Spills and Advances Testing Methods for Floor Safety

Dry spills such as salt, flour, dust, or other particles can dangerously reduce floor friction, leading to slips and falls. Historically, warnings like "slippery when wet" focus on liquid-based hazards, but recent studies from the University of Arizona Health Sciences reveal that even dry contaminants pose significant safety risks often overlooked in safety standards.

Lead researcher Jonathan Lee-Confer, Ph.D., explained that common assumptions attribute slip hazards primarily to oily or soapy substances. However, their research demonstrates that even a thin, nearly invisible layer of salt can decrease floor friction by approximately 28%, making tiles significantly more slippery than acceptable safety limits. This suggests that current safety assessments for dry surfaces are insufficient.

To better understand how dry particles influence slip resistance, Lee-Confer and his team developed a novel testing approach. They 3D-printed comb-like tools to uniformly rake salt across tiles before testing, ensuring consistent particle distribution. Applying varying thicknesses of iodized salt, they observed that thinner salt layers still substantially reduced friction. Notably, with even minimal salt, the coefficient of friction dropped sharply, indicating an increased fall risk.

Traditional slip resistance tests often redistribute particles during repeated strikes, skewing results. To address this, the team’s method maintains uniform distribution, providing more accurate data. Their findings highlight the need for standardized dry slip testing practices, similar to those used for wet surfaces, to improve safety protocols.

Further studies are planned involving other substances like flour and cat litter, with implications for both public spaces and homes. For instance, a small salt spill in the kitchen might seem harmless but actually raises the risk of falls. The research aims to inform manufacturing, regulatory standards, and everyday safety practices.

This work underscores that slip hazards are not solely caused by liquids. Understanding the role of dry particles can lead to better safety measures and guidelines to prevent falls, a major cause of injury across settings. The study was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

Source: Medical Xpress