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UKAS · PROCESS INDUSTRIES

Slip testing
for Chemical Plants.

Chemical manufacturing combines the three highest-risk slip-test factors in industry — process water, hydrocarbon and solvent contamination, and ATEX-zoned hazardous areas. Pendulum testing in chemical plants requires intrinsically-safe instruments where ATEX zones apply, plus ca…

17025 ISO/IEC accreditation
Chemical Plants Sector covered

Chemical Plants testing

Tier 1 · Process Industries

  • Sector contextChemical manufacturing combines the three highest-risk slip-test factors in industry — process water, hydrocarbon and solvent contamination,…
  • Out-of-hours attendance23:00–05:00 visits to avoid production-shift disruption.
  • UKAS-accredited reportsAccepted by HSE, FSA, BRC, MHRA and PL insurers.
  • Multi-site programmesGroup annual contracts for portfolio operators.
Surfaces tested in chemical plants

The chemical plants surface vocabulary.

Every chemical plants site has a distinct surface vocabulary that drives the testing protocol. We test the actual surfaces present, not a generic baseline.

  1. 01 · SURFACE

    Chemical-resistant resin coatings (vinyl ester, novolac epoxy)the dominant production-floor specification

  2. 02 · SURFACE

    Cementitious polyurethane heavy-duty in bunded areasspillage-retention zones

  3. 03 · SURFACE

    Steel chequer-plate at vessel platforms and pipe-bridge accesstested independently

  4. 04 · SURFACE

    Bunded-area concrete with chemical-resistant sealertested under representative residue

  5. 05 · SURFACE

    Anti-static flooring in solvent-handling zonesATEX-classified zones

  6. 06 · SURFACE

    Loading-bay concrete with chemical drip-tray surroundsweather-and-residue exposure

Specific risk zones

Where the incidents actually happen.

Generic slip testing misses the zones that actually generate incidents. Chemical Plants sites have distinct high-risk zones that warrant independent testing.

Bunded-area floors

Bunds are designed to retain spillage but also make slip exposure cumulative — accumulated process residue is a defined slip zone that requires testing both wet and dry.

Tanker loading and unloading

Hose connections at tanker loading bays create routine drip exposure; the floor surrounding the loading point is the highest-incident zone in most chemical plants.

Vessel and reactor access platforms

Steel platform surfaces around reactors, distillation columns, and vessels see condensate, washdown water and process drips.

ATEX-zoned solvent handling

Solvent storage and transfer zones require ATEX-classified instruments; we attend with intrinsically-safe pendulum equipment for Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas.

Regulatory framework

Chemical Plants · regulatory context.

Chemical plant slip testing operates under HSE INDG225, Workplace Regulations 1992 Reg 12, COSHH Regulations 2002, DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres) Regulations 2002, and where applicable COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 2015. ATEX classification of test instruments is required for Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas. UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 PTV reports support HSE compliance documentation and Major Accident Hazard policy management.

HSE INDG225 Slips and trips
WHSWR 1992 Reg 12 Floor condition
COSHH 2002 Chemical exposure
DSEAR 2002 Explosive atmospheres
COMAH 2015 Major accident hazards
ATEX Equipment classification
Sector case study

Chemical Plants case study.

A COMAH lower-tier specialty chemical manufacturer commissioned annual UKAS pendulum testing across the production hall, three bunded storage areas, the tanker loading bay, the warehouse, and the effluent plant pedestrian route. ATEX-classified equipment was used for the solvent transfer zone. The report integrates with the site's COMAH safety case as supporting evidence for the slip-incident control measures.

Related sectors

Adjacent industrial categories.

Request a Quote

Tell us about your chemical plants site.

Whether you operate a single industrial site, a multi-site portfolio, or an FM contractor brief covering multiple operators, we'll return a fully-costed, no-obligation quotation within one working day.

Out-of-hours attendance

Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm office hours.
23:00–05:00 attendance for production-floor sites by arrangement.