Only the most severe incidents are being reported. This makes it hard to get grip on the cause of an incident. For every STF accident 12 work days are being missed and unplanned absences can have a cascading impact on production.
At Dunlop Protective Footwear we work relentlessly to improve
the slip resistance of our products, in order to produce the
safest possible footwear for workers.
Our STF
Innovation Center works with testing procedures that allow us
to innovate beyond the requirements of global standards, and
provide our customers customized plans to help reduce STF
accidents in their workplaces. Reducing one STF accident from
your jobsite can save $122,000 in addition to the emotional
savings.
Flooring material and contamination types are different for each of the multitude of industries in which our footwear is used. To reduce STF, we've developed soles that provide maximum grip and slip resistance for every scenario.
Where the European standard only has two, and the US standard
has only one, our STF Innovation Centre has more than sixteen
combinations of conditions that mimic real world environments
with which to test. As a result, our boots conform to, or
exceed, global slip resistance standards and adhere to our own
stringent STF standards for safe working.
Water
Mud
Oil
Fatty Food Residue
Cleaning Detergent
Salt water & Fish fats
Soil
Concrete
Metal
PU Coating
Wooden Plates
Epoxy
Throughout our 130-year existence, we've been using innovation and technology to move forward and stay ahead of the competition. We take pride in making the world's safest, most durable and most comfortable safety footwear. One of the most important goals for maximizing worker safety is enhancing slip resistance and ensuring that slip resistant footwear, meeting our high standards, is used in workplaces around the world. We continue to work tirelessly to deliver on our promise of 'Care beyond Safety'.
Our STF center is where we concentrate our efforts to extend our knowledge on STF prevention, by developing, refining and embedding testing procedures into our product development process that allow us to innovate beyond the basic requirements of generic standards. We also work with our customers to share this knowledge and provide advice on how they can best reduce STF in their specific conditions.
Whether the walking surface is metal plates, ceramic tiles or epoxy compound, with the help of applied material science and scenario-specific testing protocols, we've redesigned our entire product portfolio to provide maximum slip resistance and we have engineered over 40 different specific outsole designs. There are too many to list here in detail, but they can largely be divided into the following groups:
Low cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and soapy, wet environments
| Pattern | Sharp and evently |
| Cleats | Easy and proportional |
| Flexibility | High |
| Channels | Connected |
| Height | Moderate |
| Detailing | Plain |
Sharp and edgy cleats combined with a connected channel pattern for an optimal draining to deal with the challenge of oily conditions.
| Pattern | Agressive and edgy |
| Cleats | Edgy |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| Channels | Connected |
| Height | Average |
| Detailing | Solid |
The dynamical and hybridal cleat structure offers grip in varying terrain and uneven surfaces. Preferred a dual-material; The height and sturdiness is needed in an environment with loose and mixed poorings, to keep you safe from sharp things and avoid stumble and straining.
| Pattern | Dynamic and open |
| Cleats | Straight and sharp |
| Flexibility | Sturdy and steady |
| Channels | Wide |
| Height | Rather high |
| Detailing | Hybrid |
Dynamic patterened outsoles are designed for durability and all day comfort and safety. The angled channels are perfect for wet, slippery terrain and long lasting traction. The comfort and flexibility serves the user a safe motion all day long.
| Pattern | Dynamic and rough |
| Cleats | Rugged |
| Flexibility | High |
| Channels | Drafted |
| Height | Average |
| Detailing | Solid |
Deep cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and mixed debris, wet outdoor environments. Open draining is preferred to move debris out to atmosphere.
| Pattern | Semi-Homogeneous and systematic |
| Cleats | Straight and uniform |
| Flexibility | Average |
| Channels | Wide |
| Height | Rather high |
| Detailing | Refined and ordered |
Low cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and soapy, wet environments.
| Pattern | Homogeneous and systematic |
| Cleats | Low and uniform |
| Flexibility | Average |
| Channels | Closed |
| Height | Shallow |
| Detailing | Refined and ordered |
Choosing the right boots for your workforce is an important decision that can impact not only the safety and well-being of your employees, but also the productivity and efficiency of your business. Whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, processing or any other industry that requires protective footwear, finding the right boots can make a significant difference in the safety comfort and durability of your employees' footwear.
To help you make an informed decision that meets the specific needs of your workforce, our STF-experts have created workplace profile tool that provides you an outsole type recommendation in only 6 steps:
We will compare the flooring surface and potential contaminants or debris your workers walk on everyday with our database of test results to identify the best slip resistant outsoles for your conditions
Fat residue
Epoxy
Loose and mixed
Scaffold
Salt water
Wood
Oily Liquid
PU coated
Soapy water
PU coated
Mud
Soil
Fat residue
Epoxy
Loose and mixed
Scaffold
Salt water
Wood
Oily Liquid
PU coated
Soapy water
PU coated
Mud
Soil
Understanding tasks being performed will help our anti-slip experts to incorporate the ergonomics involved in their daily-motion-profile into the best matching outsole-design.
Slip, trip and fall hazards may not be the only hazards you need to consider for your workforce. Select additional safety hazards here and our STF center experts will include in your recomendation.
Compression protection required for toes and feet.
Protection against cut and puncture by i.e. nails or sharp scrap metal.
Protection for heat (up to 150°C) or extreme cold (down to -50°C).
Resistance to chemical permeation and degradation.
Reduce the flow of electricity (EH) or conduct static electricity (ESD).
Withstand the swelling and deteriorating effects of various types of oils.
Our experts are eager to get started with your challenge. How many workers can we help you to provide more grip and greater safety to?
Small
1-10 Employees
Medium
10-100 Employees
Large
1000+ Employees
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
Low cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and soapy, wet environments
| Pattern | Sharp and evently |
| Cleats | Easy and proportional |
| Flexibility | High |
| Channels | Connected |
| Height | Moderate |
| Detailing | Plain |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
Sharp and edgy cleats combined with a connected channel pattern for an optimal draining to deal with the challenge of oily conditions.
| Pattern | Agressive and edgy |
| Cleats | Edgy |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| Channels | Connected |
| Height | Average |
| Detailing | Solid |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
The dynamical and hybridal cleat structure offers grip in varying terrain and uneven surfaces. Preferred a dual-material; The height and sturdiness is needed in an environment with loose and mixed poorings, to keep you safe from sharp things and avoid stumble and straining.
| Pattern | Dynamic and open |
| Cleats | Straight and sharp |
| Flexibility | Sturdy and steady |
| Channels | Wide |
| Height | Rather high |
| Detailing | Hybrid |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
Dynamic patterened outsoles are designed for durability and all day comfort and safety. The angled channels are perfect for wet, slippery terrain and long lasting traction. The comfort and flexibility serves the user a safe motion all day long.
| Pattern | Dynamic and rough |
| Cleats | Rugged |
| Flexibility | High |
| Channels | Drafted |
| Height | Average |
| Detailing | Solid |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
Deep cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and mixed debris, wet outdoor environments. Open draining is preferred to move debris out to atmosphere.
| Pattern | Semi-Homogeneous and systematic |
| Cleats | Straight and uniform |
| Flexibility | Average |
| Channels | Wide |
| Height | Rather high |
| Detailing | Refined and ordered |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Based on the provided information this outsole type comes closest to your needs:
Low cleated uniformity and non-protruding shapes offer the best conjunction of outsole and soapy, wet environments.
| Pattern | Homogeneous and systematic |
| Cleats | Low and uniform |
| Flexibility | Average |
| Channels | Closed |
| Height | Shallow |
| Detailing | Refined and ordered |
Please keep in mind this is an automated response. One of our STF experts will review your information and reach out shortly to ensure you receive the optimal boot recommendation for your application environment and exposure needs. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us here.
Cargill is one of the largest beef and poultry processing companies in the world. For this case our STF experts have worked performance and H&S management staff of their plant in Wolverhampton, UK.
Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. Cargill connects farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentials—from the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. 160,000-plus team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as Cargills' work is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way.
From feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. It's in the values of Cargill to put people first, reaching higher, doing the right thing for the planet that's already their home for 158 years as well as for generations to come.
Understanding the importance of worker safety, Cargill, Dunlop Protective Footwear and our joint distribution partner RS Safety Solutions did setup a three way partnership. Dunlops' Slip, Trip & Fall (STF) Innovation Center conducted extensive tests and recommendations specifically tailored to the needs of Cargill's chicken processing plant in Wolverhampton, UK. 3 different boot models have been tested in 4 scenarios, considering 2 types of flooring (epoxy and mesh plate) and 2 contaminants (soapy water detergent and fatty fluids.
The test results revealed that the Dunlop Purofort FoodPRO boot exhibited the highest effective surface area and achieved the highest Coefficient of Friction (CoF) score. This made it the ideal choice for Cargill's operators, providing superior slip resistance and enhanced grip on slippery surfaces. By incorporating Dunlop's recommendations, Cargill ensures that their operators are equipped with the best safety footwear, minimizing the risk of slips, trips, and falls and promoting a safer working environment.
'During our trial of the Dunlop Purofort FoodPRO boot, we were thoroughly impressed with its performance,' says Pete Chambers, the Hygiene Manager and responsible for health and safety at the Wolverhampton-plant. With over 27 years of experience, Chambers understands the importance of ensuring a safe working environment. He continues, 'The slip-resistant properties and enhanced grip provided by the FoodPRO boot exceeded our expectations, significantly reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls on our shop floor.' Based on the positive trial results and the boot's outstanding comfort and performance, Chambers adds, 'We made the decision to swap to the Dunlop Purofort FoodPRO boot all-at-once for our complete shop floor workforce, prioritizing their safety and well-being.' This proactive approach reflects Cargill's commitment to maintaining a secure work environment.
Kevin Guy Organizational Performance Manager
We have witnessed a significant reduction in STF incidents since replacing all boots for our shop floor employees. At Cargill, workplace safety is paramount, and we are constantly striving to create a secure environment for our employees.
Guy goes on to mention the LIFE program, which was introduced by Cargill in 2013. 'The LIFE program, which stands for Life-altering Injury and Fatality Elimination, is a comprehensive initiative implemented by Cargill to ensure the highest standards of workplace safety,' explains Kevin Guy, Organizational Performance Manager at Cargill. The program is designed to create a safety-conscious culture, foster continuous improvement, and eliminate life-altering injuries and fatalities across all Cargill facilities.
Through the combined efforts of initiatives like the LIFE program, the dedication of the employees, and the introduction of the Dunlop Purofort FoodPRO boots, Cargill has achieved a substantial decrease in slip, trip, and fall incidents. Guy concludes, 'We are proud of the positive impact we have made in enhancing workplace safety and will continue to prioritize the well-being of our employees as we strive for excellence in all aspects of our operations.'
We are constantly looking for ways we can be more efficient in our use of virgin materials and ensure we consider waste reduction and sustainable practices in our new product developments. You can rest assured that each new pair of Dunlop boots you purchase will be more sustainably produced than the last. We are on a mission to become 100% circular, interested in our journey?
The STF centrer goes beyond product innovation with our AI powered predictive software. Our test tools are equipped with an inhouse developed human foot last that precisely mimics the pressure points of a real foot. The program is a predictive analytics tool can test outsole designs before they really exist. With a footprint and physical properties of a new outsole it's possible to predict the anti-slip performance (friction) in different environments. Simulating different flooring types or contaminants are just a few clicks away. This helps us to understand not only how an outsole will perform in the lab, but also in the real world application it is designed to perform in.
At the STF center our goal is simple, to eradicate slips trips and falls from the workplace through data driven innovation and the audacity to do what others would never dare to do.
The Coefficient of Friction (CoF) is a value to quantify the
slip resistance of a sole on a flooring with or without
contamination. It indicates the footwear sole's ability to
provide traction and resist slipping on a certain
(contaminated) flooring.
CoF is a ratio of the force needed to move the footwear
horizontally (friction) and the vertically applied force.
With the introduction of the new EN ISO 20345:2022 standard,
the terms SRA, SRB and SRC that were used to indicate slip
resistance performance have been changed (and partially
replaced by SR).
Footwear that are certified under the former ISO 2012 standard
are still sold and valid in the market but new certification
of footwear will no longer carry the SRA/B/C markings. As of
2028 the SRA/B/C classifications will no longer be valid and
will be completely replaced by the new standard.
The new EN ISO 20345:2022 standard contains a mandatory slip
resistance level without classification and an extended level
with the SR classification. In case that a piece of footwear
doesn't meet the mandatory slip resistance level (due to i.e.
an anti-contamination outsole), it will have an indication Ø
on the product.
This is a standard developed by ASTM International, formerly
known as American Society for Testing and Materials and
applies to the US (and has validity in other countries). The
standard, introduced July 2021, describes the slip resistance
method for PPE footwear and footwear passing the test may
carry the SR mark. It's important to note that the described
procedure is very different from the ISO standard also using
the SR mark.
This new Slip Resistant requirement establishes minimum
coefficient of friction requirements to label footwear as slip
resistant or 'SR'.
Footwear achieving COF of 0.40 when tested on dry and wet
quarry tile can claim the Slip Resistance label under ASTM
3445-21. According to ASTM, slip resistance must be tested on
3 samples of size US9 (mens' footwear) or US8 (womens'
footwear).
Our Slips, Trips and Falls Center collaborates with accredited
laboratories such as SATRA to validate data and align test
methods and procedures. This allows us to present meaningful
and accurate test data and confidently perform reliable
evaluation of products which enables improvement in quality
and fitness-for-purpose during the development process.
Dunlop
Protective Footwear is a Gold Member of the SATRA Accredited
Laboratory program. This is recognized throughout the footwear
and leather goods industries worldwide as a stamp of quality
authority.
Our anti-slip experts, such as Elroy have built up an enormous amount of knowledge about slip resistance in recent years. In combination with the extensive testing capabilities of our STF Innovation Center and the ability to make predictions with our AI technology, there is a good chance that we can help you. Don't hesitate and contact us today!
