Slip resistance testing in the UK is governed by a small number of well-defined standards. This page sets out which standards we work to, and what each one covers.
BS 7976 is the British Standard for the operation, calibration, and use of the pendulum slip resistance tester. It is the test method endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for assessing the slip risk of pedestrian floor surfaces. The current version is BS 7976-2:2002+A1:2013, which incorporates updated guidance on slider conditioning and ambient conditions.
BS 7976 is the test that produces a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) — the headline metric reported in every Surface Performance pendulum test report. It is the test that HSE inspectors carry out, that personal injury solicitors will rely on as evidence, and that insurers expect to see referenced in any defence to a slip claim.
BS EN 16165 is the European harmonised standard for floor slip resistance testing. It includes several methods; Annex C is the pendulum method, which is technically equivalent to BS 7976 and produces the same PTV scale. The standard was published in 2021 to harmonise national methods across the European market.
Surface Performance is UKAS-accredited to perform pendulum testing under both BS 7976 and BS EN 16165 Annex C. Our reports cite both standards by default, which gives them recognition both in the UK and across the European market.
The UK Slip Resistance Group is the trade body for the UK slip testing industry. It publishes guidance — most recently the UKSRG Guidelines (V5) — that translates raw PTV results into practical slip-risk classifications. The UKSRG guidance is the basis for the published HSE risk thresholds (PTV 0–24 high, 25–35 moderate, 36+ low) and is referenced in expert witness reports throughout the industry.
Our senior engineers are members of the UKSRG and contribute to its ongoing technical work.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. It governs everything from staff competence and training, through equipment calibration and traceability, to data handling and report production. UKAS — the UK Accreditation Service — is the sole national accreditation body recognised by the UK government to assess laboratories against ISO/IEC 17025.
Surface Performance is UKAS-accredited as Testing Laboratory 7933. Our scope of accreditation covers pendulum slip resistance testing under both BS 7976 and BS EN 16165 Annex C. Our scope is published and is searchable on the UKAS website (www.ukas.com).
Regulation 12(2)(a) of the WHSWR 1992 requires that "every floor in a workplace and the surface of every traffic route in a workplace shall be of a construction such that the floor or surface of the traffic route is suitable for the purpose for which it is used." HSE's published guidance on this regulation directs employers to use the pendulum test as the recognised method for assessing whether a floor meets that standard.
Failure to manage slip risk in accordance with the WHSWR is enforceable by HSE, both through improvement and prohibition notices and (in serious cases) through criminal prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 imposes a common duty of care on occupiers of premises towards lawful visitors. In the slip and trip context, this is the principal civil cause of action used by claimants. Pre-incident UKAS-accredited slip testing is the strongest factual evidence an occupier can hold up to demonstrate that they discharged the common duty of care, regardless of the claimant's allegations.