UKAS slip testing for
distribution centres.

Why distribution centres commission UKAS accredited slip testing

Distribution centre operators run some of the UK's highest-workforce-density facilities. Pedestrian slip accidents at scale — a few thousand employees, 24/7 operation — translate to a consistent incident frequency that insurers and HSE both track carefully. UKAS accredited floor baseline is the reference point for compliance.

Specific issues we see in distribution centres

• Power-float concrete transitions. New-build DC floors are often power-floated concrete. Fine surface finish looks high-quality but can test poorly when wet at transitions, thresholds and ramp approaches.
• Painted walkway degradation. Yellow or green painted pedestrian walkways are a common DC safety feature. The paint degrades with MHE traffic and often tests below compliance within 18-24 months of application.
• Loading dock plates and approaches. Water, oil and hydraulic fluid contamination. Dock plates in particular deserve specific attention.
• Pick-face aisles. MHE-polished concrete after years of operation. Worth periodic testing even on facilities that tested fine at commissioning.

Which standards apply

BS EN 16165 Annex C pendulum testing. UKSRG Guidelines Issue 6 operational protocol. Where contamination includes hydraulic fluid or oils, supplementary representative-contaminant testing is often more operationally informative than water-only.

What you get

• UKAS accredited pendulum test report (Lab 7933)
• PTV results for every test location, dry and wet
• Interpretation against BS EN 16165 and UKSRG benchmarks
• Photographic record of test locations
• Measurement uncertainty statements (required for admissibility)
• 5 working day turnaround from site visit to report

Common questions

We're commissioning a new DC — should we test pre-go-live?

Yes. Pre-commissioning acceptance testing against the floor specification is essential. If the contractor's floor fails, it's their cost to fix.

Post-RIDDOR — how fast can you attend?

We prioritise post-incident work. Most UK DC locations accessible within 2-3 working days; urgent cases sooner.

What about hygienic areas inside a food DC?

Hygienic zones use different flooring specs (typically polyurethane resin) and should be tested with representative wet-process contamination.

Can you combine with other testing?

Yes — we often combine slip testing with line-of-sight/visibility surveys and other pedestrian safety audits in one visit.