Updates to US slip resistance standards

Reporting on the changes made to two key test documents.

ASTM F2913 – ‘Standard Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Friction for Evaluation of Slip Performance of Footwear and Test Surfaces/Flooring Using a Whole Shoe Tester’ has recently been updated to a 2024 version. The method was originally issued in 2011 and was derived from the SATRA TM144 ‘Friction (slip resistance) of footwear and floorings’ test method, which at that time was also dated 2011 (having been first issued in 1992).

The two methods (with SATRA TM144, which is now dated 2021) remain extremely closely aligned and expected to yield the same test results within margins of error and uncertainty. The principal update to ASTM F2913-24 is to specify much more closely one of the available suggested test surface conditions, namely ‘oily wet’ – for example, focusing on corn oil.

Amendment to ASTM F3445

In direct association with this is a 2024 update to ASTM F3445, now entitled ‘Standard Specification for Performance Requirements when Evaluating Slip Resistance of Footwear using ASTM F2913 Whole Shoe Tester’. This was first launched in 2021 (see the article ‘ASTM releases slip resistance performance standard’ published in the September 2021 issue of SATRA Bulletin) and introduced slip resistance performance requirements into the US market for ‘protective (safety)’ footwear. That term no longer appears in the new title, indicating that the scope has been broadened to all footwear.

The original level of slip resistance classified ‘SR’ was applicable for dry and wet test results on quarry tile achieving at least 0.40 coefficient of friction. This is still available in the new specification as the first level of performance ‘for general wear environments’. In addition, a second level of performance is now offered. This has been classified ‘SRO’ and is intended for ‘oily wet environments’ with the oily wet clay quarry tile test being added to the dry and wet tests. The pass value remains at 0.40 for dry and wet conditions, and is 0.33 for oily wet. The test modes to be used are heel and forepart with three half pairs covering both feet being tested.

US safety footwear

Finally, the two principal US safety footwear standards have also been revised in 2024. ASTM F2413-24 – ‘Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear’ and ASTM F2892-24 – ‘Specification for Performance Requirements for Soft Toe Protective Footwear (Non-Safety/Non-Protective Toe)’ now include specific reference to slip resistance, which they previously did not. These both now introduce the aforementioned ‘SR’ and ‘SRO’ performance specifications for slip resistance, which are to be included on product labels. Further details of these revised standards will appear in a future SATRA Bulletin article.

All these four standards being revised at the same time offers the US footwear market coherent slip resistance performance standards across all footwear types. However, achieving these standards, or most other safety features, is not obligatory for US safety footwear unless claimed. At present, only toe cap tests (impact and compression) are obligatory, where applicable – that is, within ASTM F2413.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 4 of the October 2024 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

---