Slip Hazards in Commercial Facilities 

Slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries in commercial sectors. There are several potential hazards, such as slippery floors from water, fluid, or oil spillage, and overly smooth surfaces where traction is low. 

Yet, safety isn't just about cleaning wet areas — it's about understanding and complying with the rules. Australia has regulatory bodies that stipulate provisions and standards for slip-resistance in pedestrian surfaces within public facilities. 

The question is: who is responsible for slip resistance compliance, and how can you minimise the risk of slip incidents in your facility? 

Key Takeaways 

• Slip resistance compliance protects both people and profits. 
  
• Two key standards govern slip compliance testing: AS 4586 (for new materials) and AS 4663 (for in-use surfaces). 
  
• P4-P5 ratings are considered compliant for most commercial areas. 
  
• CSIRO certification ensures the slip resistance values of flooring materials  
  
• Regular testing and premium anti-slip coatings like Stellman's ensure lasting compliance. 

Understanding Slip Resistance Compliance in Commercial Spaces 

What is Slip Resistance? 

Slip resistance describes the roughness of a surface that creates friction or traction, which reduces the risk of slips and falls. 

Your flooring type, footwear, and the presence of contaminants influence slip resistance. For instance, consider the difference between walking on concrete versus ice — even with the same shoes, both surfaces pose very different slip risks.  

Maintaining safe facilities is essential for staff, visitors, and clients alike. Slip-resistant surfaces help prevent injuries, reduce liability, and protect business integrity. 

Who is Responsible for Slip-Resistance Compliance? 

The responsibility to keep commercial facilities or workplaces slip-resistant doesn't rest solely on owners. According to the WHS Act and Regulations, you have a duty to manage risks if you: 

• Run a business that could put others at risk 
  
• Control or manage the workplace, its fixtures, or equipment 
  
• Design, make, import, or supply equipment, materials, or structures for workplaces 
  
• Install or build equipment or structures at workplaces 

These provisions show that shop owners, facility managers, restaurant operators, contractors, and even suppliers have a shared duty to build and maintain slip-resistant, compliant pedestrian surfaces. 

Owners must ensure pedestrian surfaces meet safety standards, while contractors and builders are responsible for installing tested and certified materials. Suppliers need to provide accurate testing data and certifications for their products, and managers must maintain floors regularly to ensure they remain safe over time. 

Australia's Commercial Slip Resistance Testing Standards 

There are two major slip resistance testing standards for pedestrian surfaces in Australia: AS 4586 and AS 4663.  

The AS 4586 

This slip resistance standard applies to materials for new public surfaces. It outlines three slip resistance tests: 

• Wet Pendulum Test (P Rating): Evaluates the slip resistance of flooring materials when wet. 
  
• Wet-Barefoot Inclining Platform Test (A, B & C Rating): Evaluates slip resistance for wet areas where people generally don't wear shoes. 
  
• Oil Wet Inclining Platform Test (R Rating): Measures slip resistance for materials contaminated with oil or grease  

The AS 4663 

The AS 4663 standard applies to existing pedestrian surfaces or materials that have already been installed in facilities. It primarily assesses P and D ratings to confirm ongoing compliance. 

The Wet Pendulum Test is also a key method used under this standard, as most commercial floors face the risk of wet contamination. 

The Wet Pendulum Test 

This widely used method determines the AS 4586 slip ratings of existing floors. It can be conducted on-site or in laboratory settings. 

How it Works: 

Certified professionals conduct the wet pendulum test, which involves a swinging arm with a rubber slider that touches the wet surface on every swing. The results measure how high up it swings after impact: shorter swings mean more friction, while longer swings suggest low grip. 

The test is repeated five times, and the average of all five results is taken as the Pendulum Test Value PTV. 

Note: The test uses different rubber sliders, depending on the environment. Slider 96 simulates standard footwear, while Slider 55—a softer rubber—represents bare feet or softer footwear to test surfaces like bathrooms and pool sides. 

The P-Rating Scale 

Through the wet pendulum test, the AS 4586 standard categorizes new pedestrian surfaces into six levels of slip resistance (P-ratings), from P0 to P5. Where: 

• P0: Extremely slippery and non-compliant. 
  
• P3-P5: Safe and compliant for commercial use. 

P-ratings help you identify flooring materials suitable for different environments. Aim for a slip resistance of P4 or higher for commercial facilities exposed to moisture, oil spills, or other contaminants. 

Oil Wet Inclining Platform Test 

It is a laboratory-based test designed for industrial surfaces and is often used by tile manufacturers to indicate slip ratings.  

How It Works: 

The sample material is secured onto a platform that can be inclined from 0° to 45°, after which it is coated in engine oil. Two trained operators take part in the test, wearing standard safety shoes. 

One operator is harnessed to the platform, and their shoes are brushed with oil. As the platform's angle increases, the operator begins to slip, and the point at which this occurs is recorded. 

The operators repeat the test several times to ensure accuracy and use calibration board measurements to adjust the final results. The results determine the slip-resistance rating of the material and group it into one of five classes (R9 to R13). 

Source 

When is Slip Compliance Testing Mandatory? 

During Construction or Modifications 

The National Construction Code (NCC) mandates non-slip materials for high-risk areas of commercial facilities, including ramps, stair treads, and landings. 

As an owner or manager, you should verify with your suppliers or contractors that the materials they install in high-risk areas are compliant with the AS 4586 slip resistance standard. 

After Construction  

After construction, WHS legislation legally obligates building owners and facility managers to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls, including maintaining adequate slip resistance. 

Standards Australia's HB 198 provides industry best-practice recommendations for slip resistance levels, which are frequently referenced in legal proceedings. If the surfaces test below the HB 198 recommendations after a slip incident, your facility is likely to face significant liability risks. 

Independent testing providers and slip-resistance specialists such as Stellmann also recommend higher slip ratings for high-risk areas in existing buildings. To assess the safety of your floor tile, you can perform the Barefoot Friction Test: walk barefoot across wet tiles—if your feet slide easily with no grip, it's a slip hazard.

CSIRO Certification and Independent Testing 

Even after testing or sourcing tested materials, the accuracy of the results depends on who conducts the test. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia's leading authority for slip resistance certification. 

Some suppliers may make bogus claims just to make sales. However, A CSIRO certification verifies that flooring materials meet national standards and is critical for passing audits, insurance reviews, and legal checks. 

Key Commercial Sectors for Slip Resistance Compliance  

Every business should take preventive measures against slips, but those in industries with higher slip risks must ensure compliance. These industries include: 

• Aged Care: Seniors are statistically more at risk for slips and falls. Slip resistance compliance is important in care facilities, especially in wet zones. 
  
• Hospitality: High foot traffic and frequent oil spillage make slip resistance compliance essential in kitchens, dining areas, and entrances. 
  
• Healthcare: With consistent, hurried movement of staff and patients, slip-resistant floors are critical on hospital and clinic floors. 
  
• Education: Corridors and stairs in schools wear out from heavy foot traffic every day. Non-slip surfaces are a key safety measure. 
  
• Gyms & Pools: The constant wetness and physical activity in these areas increase the risk of slips and the need for safety compliance.  

Cost of Non-Compliance to Commercial Facilities 

Here's what you stand to risk when your facility does not meet slip resistance standards: 

• Finances: A slip incident resulting in serious injury puts you at risk of heavy fines and compensation payouts. 
  
• Reputation: Reputational risk is a significant threat to Australian businesses. If publicised, slip accidents can lead to negative press. 
  
• Operations: You may experience facility closures or slow business during audits or injury investigations.   

How To Improve Slip Resistance Compliance in Commercial Facilities 

WorkSafe Queensland offers a comprehensive guide to help you avoid slips, trips, and falls at work. Want to improve slip resistance in risky areas of your facility? Here's what you can do: 

Source 

• Clean spills immediately and use barriers to prevent access to wet areas 
  
• Use non-slip mats and entrance matting in wet zones. 
  
• Install flooring with appropriate slip resistance ratings for their expected use. 
  
• Add anti-slip strips to stair nosings and ramp edges. 
  
• Apply anti-slip coatings rated to AS 4586 standards (such as P3, P4, or P5, depending on the risk level) 
  
• Conduct regular slip resistance inspections and testing as part of ongoing maintenance. 
  
• Train staff on safety protocols, cleaning procedures, and maintenance routines 

How Premium Anti-Slip Coatings Solve Compliance Issues 

Over time, your facility's floors may no longer meet slip resistance standards. Instead of a complete replacement, explore premium anti-slip coatings like Stellmann's for a quick, compliant, and cost-effective alternative. 

Here's why they're trusted across facilities: 

• Proven Testing: P4-P5 rated and CSIRO-certified.  
  
• Durability: Outlast non-slip mats and tapes that wear quickly. 
  
• Consistency: Maintains traction on surfaces even under heavy foot traffic..  
  
• Aesthetic Value: Premium anti-slip coatings preserve your facility's original floor design and colour. 
  
• DIY-friendly: They are easy to reapply, saving costs on professional installation in the long term. 

FAQs 

Q: What is the Australian Standard for Slip Testing? 

Answer: 

Australia uses two main standards for slip testing: AS 4586 and AS 4663. AS 4586 applies to new flooring materials and is tested in laboratories before installation, while AS 4663 is for surfaces already in use.  

AS 4586 includes four test methods: wet pendulum tests (P-ratings), oil-wet inclining platform tests (R-ratings), wet barefoot tests (A, B, C ratings), and dry floor friction tests. The wet pendulum test is the most commonly used for on-site testing. 

Q: What is a Good Slip Resistance Value? 

Answer: 

The appropriate slip resistance value for flooring materials depends on their expected use and conditions. Commercial facilities should conduct risk assessments to determine the proper rating for each area. 

Here are standards for some specific surfaces: 

• Dry stairs and landings: P3 minimum 
  
• Wet stairs and landings: P4 minimum 
  
• Gentle sloping ramps: P3 - P4 
  
• Steep wet ramps (>1:14): P5 minimum 

Q: What are the BCA Slip Resistance Requirements? 

Answer: 

The Building Code of Australia requires stairs, ramps, and landings in pedestrian spaces to be fitted with non-slip or non-skid surfaces compliant with the AS 4586 and AS 4663 standards.  

The minimum requirements vary by application. P3 (or R10) for dry conditions and P4 (or R11) for wet conditions on stair treads and landings. Ramps require P3-P5 depending on the gradient and surface conditions.  

Conclusion  

For businesses in Australia, slip resistance compliance is about creating a safe, relaxing, and efficient environment for your guests, staff, and customers. Slip resistance testing helps to verify the safety of floors and other pedestrian surfaces. 

Want to enhance high-risk areas in your facility with CSIRO-certified non-slip coatings? Partner with premium, anti-slip coatings suppliers to get informed recommendations about local safety regulations, WHS provisions, and slip-resistance ratings. 

Learn more about Stellmann's CSIRO-certified coatings here.