Slip prevention: validation of duplicates reproducing industrial floor surface state microgeometry

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Industrial Safety Engineering
• Surface Metrology

Background:

• Floor microgeometry is critical for anti-slip flooring performance in industrial settings.
• Quantifying floor microgeometry in situ presents significant challenges compared to laboratory settings.
• Accurate measurement of floor surface properties is essential for preventing workplace slips.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable duplication technique for reproducing in situ floor microgeometry.
• To enable laboratory-based quantification of industrial floor surfaces.
• To assess the reliability of the developed duplication method for surface characterization.

Main Methods:

• A duplication technique was employed to create replicas of five distinct industrial floor surfaces.
• Surface microgeometry of both original floors and their duplicates was characterized using digitalized surface analysis.
• Comparative analysis was performed to evaluate microgeometrical changes post-duplication.

Main Results:

• The duplication technique demonstrated high reliability in reproducing original floor microgeometry.
• Differences in surface parameters between original floors and duplicates were less than 5%.
• The study confirmed minimal microgeometrical alteration during the duplication process.

Conclusions:

• The developed duplication technique offers a reliable means to study industrial floor microgeometry in a laboratory setting.
• This method facilitates accurate assessment of anti-slip properties for industrial workplace floors.
• The findings support the use of duplicates for research aimed at enhancing floor safety and preventing slips.