A New Industry Competence Scheme

An opportunity to demonstrate excellence

As a self-employed Pendulum operator, I developed the scheme because I want more than a training session attendance certificate, but I can't justify the investment in a full accredited quality system.

Using my experience from implementing/operating an accredited 17025 quality system for Pendulum testing and calibration, I've cherry picked the most relevant checks for operator competence, packaged them in a convenient assessment, and kept application costs low to make the scheme as accessible as possible for smaller test outfits or those where testing isn't the main focus of the business.

I hope the industry will adopt this purely voluntary scheme as a means to demonstrate the competence of scheme members and help risk managers select high quality operators, as well as generally improving the standard of testing on offer.

Ben Powers, BSc (Hons) TechIOSH MAE

Scheme Administrator

Why Poor Testing is a Risk

There are a multitude of ways a poorly executed slip test could harm both businesses and individuals:

Failing to identify a slippery surface, which may then result in a slipping accident with associated costs.
Failing to identify a safe surface, leading to unnecessary remedial works (with associated costs).
Raising issues in supply/installation, where conflicting test results rasie issues, delays and/or penalties.
Inappropriately generating sales of cleaning/treatment/coating systems which are ineffective or unnecessary.
Supporting a "tick-box" approach where testing serves to confirm the status quo rather than driving risk reduction.

Why Training Alone Isn't Enough

Training is essential if an operator is to stand a chance of conducting testing to a high quality. It is recommended that any new operator either shadows a competent operator or undertakes a training course from a reputable provider. Training alone, however, is a poor indication of proficiency.

Training courses may be focused on operation of the Pendulum to UKSRG Guidelines, or to BS EN 16165 Annex C, or to any other of a multitude of Pendulum test standards. Some training courses are focused only on safe operation of the Pendulum, rather than operation to best-practice for slip risk assessment in the UK.

Training will typically involve showing operators how to use the equipment, and impart the necessary knowledge to conduct a test properly. There is, however, unlikely to be any formal check that the knowledge has in fact been absorbed, and that operators are capable of working strictly in accordance with the Guidelines on their own.

Training may certify the operator, but the equipment that operator is using escapes scrutiny. Both a competent operator, and the proper equipment, are necessary for a high quality test.

A "Certificate of Training" is just that, evidence that the operator has been shown how to conduct testing. The POPS is the next logical step, a check that trained operators have learned and are capable of conducting best-practice testing.

Training is essential, but it is only one factor contributing to success.

Why Was The POPS Created?

The POPS ultimately aims to increase the quality of testing available, make risk management more effective, and reduce slipping accidents.

POPS & the UKSRG

The UKSRG (United Kingdom Slip Resistance Group) is a leading independent authority on slip resistance, aiming to promote a greater understanding of the causes and prevention of slips. The UKSRG produce the UKSRG Guidelines, cited by the UK Regulator (the Health and Safety Executive) as the preferred method of test for pedestrian slip resistance. When slip and fall personal injury cases are heard in Court, it is testing conducted using a Pendulum to the UKSRG Guidelines that will be used to help determine liability.

Whilst the POPS has been discussed in the UKSRG, has been developed by a long-time active UKSRG member, and has enjoyed its first applications from Group members, the scheme is not endorsed by the UKSRG. Nevertheless, the scheme shares the same aims as the UKSRG, ultimately to promote best practice assessment of slip risk and reduce slipping accidents.

The POPS focuses on operation of the Pendulum to the latest UKSRG Guidelines, as this represents best practice in the UK. The scheme will be suited only to operators with knowledge (and a copy) of the Guidelines. It should be noted that whilst BS EN 16165 Annex C is a similar test protocol, the Guidelines are considered to represent a further refinement of the method.

Find out more about the UKSRG here, and purchase a copy of the UKSRG Guidelines here.

POPS & UKAS

UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. They are appointed by government, to assess and accredit organisations that provide services including certification, testing, inspection, calibration, validation and verification.

Larger testing laboratories, providing a wide range of testing services including Pendulum testing, often choose to implement a formal quality system (BS EN ISO 17025) and, following sucessful audit by UKAS, secure UKAS accreditation for both 17025 and UK Slip Resistance Group Guidelines and/or BS EN 16165 Annex C.

The Pendulum Operator Proficiency Scheme is not endorsed or accredited by UKAS. The approaches of each are entirely different, with different aims. The POPS cherry-picks only the most relevant aspects of testing for audit, significantly reducing effort and associated cost with a laser-focused remit. An accredited 17025 quality system considers a vast range of factors associated with the general running of a laboratory, in addition to factors affecting individual test standards. Generally, those satisfying the requirements of a 17025 quality system will already satisfy all aspects of the POPS requirements, with the exception perhaps of a working knowledge of the risk assessment aspects of the UKSRG Guidelines.

The POPS administrator has experience taking a laboratory through UKAS accreditation for a 17025 quality system, testing and calibration to 16165 Annex C, and testing to UKSRG Guidelines. The process was time-consuming (~2 years) and expensive (£10,000's). Whilst there are significant benefits associated with UKAS accreditation, the initial, and indeed ongoing, investment will not be economically viable for many.

The POPS is designed to offer an alternative for those who can't justify the significant expenditure associated with a full quality system, or don't possess the breadth of laboratory services to make the returns associated with full accreditation. The POPS won't consider the content of your test reports, how you handle customer interactions, how secure your premises or data are, or how your audit schedule is managed and implemented. It will focus only on the ability of the operator, their access to the correct equipment, and their knowledge of the testing procedure.

The POPS offers a different approach, rather than a better one, but an approach that means independent audit of Pendulum operator proficiency is now available for £325, rather than the £10,000's typically associated with a full quality system.

Find out more about the UKAS here, and BS EN ISO 17025 here.