Slip resistance barefoot (RUBOBA)
The measurement standard introduced in 2021 may underestimate the accident risk of walking barefoot on wet floors. Measurements from the Bern Movement Lab provide reference values for a reliable and practice‑oriented assessment basis.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Physiotherapy
- Research unit(s) Fussbiomechanik und Technologie
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Patric Eichelberger
- Project staff Michael Streit
- Partner Beratungsstelle für Unfallverhütung, Bern
- Keywords accident prevention, walking barefoot, slip hazard, wet floor, swimming pool, wellness facility, shower, sports facility
Situation
With the introduction of measurement standard SN EN 16165 in 2021, new criteria for measuring slip resistance of floor coverings were established. The standard defines methods for determining the sliding friction coefficient of floors and aims to ensure uniform testing of floor coverings. Practical experience with the standard has however shown that tribometer measurements of floor coverings for barefoot environments does not correctly represent their safety. While measurements with the prescribed rubber slider reproduce the interaction between shoe soles and a floor well, they seem unsuitable for simulating contact between human skin and a floor. From an accident‑prevention perspective this creates a considerable risk: certain floor coverings that actually pose a higher accident hazard are mistakenly classified as safe. This can have serious consequences especially in environments such as swimming pools, wellness facilities, showers, or sports venues.
Course of action
This project involves carrying out biomechanical experiments in the Bern Movement Lab at the University of Applied Sciences Bern (BFH), commissioned by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), to determine sliding friction coefficients between human skin and various floor coverings under wet conditions.
Looking ahead
By combining measurements according to SN EN 16165 with the biomechanical experiments, a reliable and practice‑oriented assessment basis for barefoot conditions will be developed. The resulting insights can help supplement or revise the existing standard to ensure a more realistic evaluation of slip risk in barefoot areas.
