What Are Slip Resistance Inspection Services?

One liquid spill; one misstep; that's all it takes to go from a regular afternoon to a workplace incident report.

Slip resistance inspection services are professional assessments of how slippery pedestrian surfaces are in wet or dry conditions. They help prevent slip-and-fall accidents, support slip resistance compliance, and reduce liability risk in the event of an incident.

Most slip resistance audits involve on-site testing to identify risks on existing floors. However, providers also test new flooring materials in the laboratory, so that businesses can make informed choices for renovations and construction projects.

Australian Standards 4586 and 4663 define methods for slip resistance testing carried out by NATA-accredited slip testing providers. At Stellmann, we offer professional slip-test inspections as part of our broader floor safety services.

Key Takeaways

• Slip resistance inspection services in Australia test pedestrian surfaces against AS 4586 and AS 4663
• Only NATA-accredited slip testing providers issue defensible slip test reports
• Commercial facility managers are legally obligated under WHS legislation to maintain compliant slip ratings
• Higher slip ratings are required for wet areas, ramps, and commercial kitchens
• If your floors fail a slip test, Stellmann CSIRO-certified anti-slip coatings restore compliance in under 24 hours

When Do You Need a Slip Test Inspection?

Slip testing for commercial buildings should be routine - not just reactive. However, you can also schedule a slip test whenever risk conditions change. Critical scenarios include:

1. Post Installation Verification

After installing new flooring materials in facilities, schedule slip compliance testing to confirm that the new surface meets required P-ratings for its intended use.

2. Proactive Compliance Audits

Schedule regular tests in high-risk environments (e.g., bathrooms, kitchens, and pool surrounds) to ensure that floors meet the safety standards outlined in Standards Australia's HB 198.

3. After Anti-slip Coating

After installing and curing anti-slip coatings, get a floor slip test to verify the slip ratings achieved.

4. Insurance Renewals

During policy reviews, insurers may request proof of slip-resistance compliance. Use a slip test report to demonstrate adequate risk management.

5. Regulatory Compliance

WHS regulators such as WorkSafe and SafeWork NSW may want evidence that you're managing slip risks in line with legal safety obligations.

Slip resistance testing can help demonstrate compliance for incident investigations and improvement notices. It may also support council development approval (DA) and building certification processes.

6. Change of Use

If you're repurposing a space, slip-test inspections will show you which surfaces need upgrades to meet stricter slip-resistance standards.

Further Reading: Quick Solutions for a Failed Slip Test

How Does Slip Resistance Testing Work?

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Business owners, managers, and anyone responsible for risk management want to understand slip resistance testing. From equipment and standards to procedures and reporting — we have answers.

Here's a step-by-step process for NATA accredited slip testing providers:

Step 1: Site Assessment

Experts inspect and evaluate your floor type, traffic patterns, and possible contaminants to identify areas of concern and determine your testing needs. 

Step 2: Surface Preparation

Professional installers clean and prime the target test area to prevent contaminants from interfering with friction and reducing test accuracy.

Step 3: Slip Resistance Test

AS 4663 and AS 4586 define the procedures for measuring and classifying slip resistance on pedestrian surfaces. 

• AS 4586: classifies new flooring materials using laboratory tests like the Wet Pendulum and Oil Wet Ramp tests
• AS 4663: classifies installed surfaces using the Wet Pendulum and Dry Floor Friction on-site tests

Step 4: Slip Resistance Testing Report

After testing, providers issue a report that proves floor safety compliance. It demonstrates to regulators, insurers, and legal claims that slip risks were properly assessed and managed.

A standard report includes:

1. Slip ratings: Test result values and classifications based on the method used
2. Compliance status: Whether the surface meets required safety thresholds for its use
3. Test conditions: Where and how tests were conducted
4. Photographic evidence: Images of the test site and equipment
5. Recommendations: Expert guidelines to maintain slip resistance

AS 4663 and AS 4586 Testing Methods

Let's break down what happens during a slip test.

1. Wet Pendulum Test

A pendulum slip test can be conducted on-site or in laboratory settings to determine the slip resistance of existing floors and new flooring materials.

How it works

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The test uses a swinging arm fitted with a rubber slider that touches the wet floor surface on every swing. The motion simulates a heel strike and measures the friction between the slider and the floor. 

As the pendulum swings, friction reduces its motion, and this loss of energy is recorded on a calibrated scale. The test is repeated multiple times, and the average of all results is used as the Pendulum Test Value (PTV) or Slip Resistance Value (SRV).

The PTV classifies surfaces into P-ratings from P0 to P5, where P0 indicates a very slippery surface, and P5 indicates high slip resistance.

2. Oil-wet Ramp Test

The oil-wet ramp test measures slip resistance under greasy conditions in a laboratory setting. It is used in flooring material slip testing for kitchens and other environments where oil and grease spills are common.

How it works

The sample material is secured to a ramp with an adjustable incline up to 45°. The surface is coated with a standardised oil, and a harnessed operator wearing safety shoes walks back and forth as the angle gradually increases. 

The maximum angle at which the operator can walk without slipping determines the material's R-rating, which ranges from R9 (lowest) to R13 (highest).

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3. Dry Floor Friction Test

The dry floor friction test measures slip resistance in dry, high-traffic indoor areas where surface wear can gradually increase the risk of slips.

How it works

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The test is carried out on-site using the Tortus III, an automated device that moves across the floor in a straight line. It measures the continuous friction between its rubber sensor and the dry floor over a set distance.

The result is a coefficient of friction (CoF) value that categorises surfaces as either D0 or D1. D1 indicates acceptable slip resistance for dry pedestrian areas, while D0 suggests a higher slip risk.

Further Reading: Restaurant Slip Testing: A Manager's Guide

Comparison Table of Test Methods

Understanding Your Slip Test Results

Anti slip ratings categorise the slip resistance of floor surfaces based on the testing methods used. The results of a Wet Pendulum Test are expressed as P-ratings, ranging from P0 to P5.

P-Ratings Classes Explained

• P0: Extremely slippery
• P1: Low slip resistance
• P2: Moderate slip resistance for dry indoor surfaces
• P3: Good slip resistance for indoor areas with controlled moisture exposure
• P4: High slip resistance for wet areas and entryways
• P5: Very high slip resistance; ideal for high-traffic or outdoor wet areas

P-Rating Requirements by Environment

WHS legislation obligates building owners and facility managers to identify slip hazards, assess risks, and implement controls.

You'll find the guidelines for slip resistance on different high-risk pedestrian surfaces in Standards Australia's HB 198. Courts reference these benchmarks in legal proceedings, so failing to meet them can increase liability risks.

HB 198 recommends a P3 minimum for high-traffic floors in commercial facilities and public buildings. However, it assigns higher ratings to areas with more risk exposure. For example:

• Bathrooms: Indoor wet areas require P3 or P4, depending on location and usage
• Pool surrounds and ramps: P4 for poolside wet areas and P5 for ramps steeper than 1:14
• Aged care and healthcare: Regulators require P3 or higher in bathrooms and indoor wet areas
• Commercial kitchens: P5 (or R12) to ensure safety in the greasy, high‑risk conditions

Further Reading: P3 vs P4 for Aged Care 

Liability Implications of a Failed Test Result

Compliance means adhering to laws, regulations, standards, and internal policies that govern a specific operation, while non-compliance refers to a failure to do so. 

A failed AS 4586 slip test shows that a facility's floors are non-compliant with legal and WHS obligations for slip resistance. If staff or visitors slip and fall, here's what's at risk:

• Finances: injured parties can claim negligence, which may result in fines
• Reputation: bad publicity and negative press may affect brand reputation
• Operations: facilities may experience temporary shutdowns or restrictions during investigations

What to Do If Your Floors Fail a Slip Test

If your facility's floors fail a slip test, don't panic — failed results are common and easy to fix. First, restrict access to the risky areas, and then explore commercial anti slip solutions. Options include:

1. Floor replacement

A full floor replacement is expensive, costing $150-$300 per m² for labor, materials, and disposal fees. It is also disruptive and entails days to weeks of operational downtime. Fortunately, there are other ways to make facilities non-slip without replacing floors. 

2. Chemical Etching

Acid etching involves roughening ceramic tiles with chemical solutions that eat into their smooth surface, creating microscopic grooves. It's relatively affordable but temporary, discolors darker surfaces, and voids warranties.

3. Anti-slip Mats and Tape

Adhesive tapes and non-slip mats are temporary, non-invasive ways to increase traction on high-risk floors. However, they rarely fit professional aesthetics and can pose trip hazards when their edges curl.

4. Premium Anti-slip Coatings 

When you compare anti-slip coatings vs mats, coatings offer a much higher return on investment. For example, our professional anti-slip coatings cost $30-$50 per m², whereas a commercial-grade anti-slip rubber mat typically costs $60-$150 per m².

The Stellmann CSIRO-certified non-slip coatings come in clear and coloured options and are formulated to comply with AS 4586/4663. Here's what we offer:

• Long-lasting slip resistance (up to 5 years with proper maintenance)
• One-coat certified installation and fast curing
• Easy cleaning and maintenance
• After-hours installation for minimal disruption
• A Slip-Test Pass Guarantee for audit readiness

Why Coatings Win

Stellmann offers 24-hour emergency remediation for WorkSafe notices and urgent compliance deadlines, with after-hours installation for minimal disruption to operations. Book a free slip resistance inspection service.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the difference between AS 4586 and AS 4663?

AS 4586 uses laboratory tests to determine slip ratings for new flooring materials, whereas AS 4663 classifies floors already in use through on-site slip resistance testing.

2. Do anti-slip coatings affect floor appearance?

Low-quality coatings may yellow over time and change the appearance of floors. However, our clear non-slip coating is formulated with advanced UV stabilisers that preserve the original appearance of your floors.

3. How quickly can non-compliant floors be fixed?

Speed depends on the remediation method you choose. Full flooring replacements take days to weeks, while our anti-slip coatings are installed in under 24 hours.

Conclusion

Facility managers and property owners with pedestrian surfaces have a legal obligation to manage slip risks. Regular slip-resistance inspections help you identify risks, understand compliance requirements, and explore remediation options in time. 

Ready to act? Read our guide to slip resistance inspection costs and learn how to choose the right provider.