Floor Slipperiness Measurement in a Food Factory

Abstract

Floor slipperiness assessment was conducted in a food factory in northern Taiwan. Three areas in the popcorn sector of the factory were measured. The friction measurements were conducted using the Brungraber Mark II slipmeter. A total of 96 measurements of the coefficient of friction on the floor were conducted. In addition, six employees were interviewed concerning their experiences of slipping and falling in the sector and their perception of floor slipperiness. The results showed that all the readings in the measurement areas were lower than 0.5, a safety standard commonly adopted in the USA. All the interviewees reported that they had the experiences of slipping without falling in the sector. All of them reported the floor in the popping area was “extremely slipperiness.” Ergonomic interventions are required and in this sector.