Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which floor surface provides the highest resistance to slip or fall accidents?

1. Vinyl flooring

2. Ceramic tile

3. Creosote wood

4. Concrete

The correct answer is: Creosote wood

Creosote wood surfaces provide the highest resistance to slip or fall accidents due to their unique characteristics. Creosote is a type of wood that has been treated with creosote oil, which not only preserves the wood against decay and insect damage but also typically results in a rougher surface texture. This roughness increases friction between footwear and the surface, reducing the likelihood of slipping. In comparison, while vinyl flooring and ceramic tiles can be designed with slip-resistant textures, they generally do not match the slip resistance offered by creosote wood. Vinyl flooring can become slick when wet, and ceramic tiles, while durable and easy to clean, can also be slippery under certain conditions. Concrete surfaces may have good slip resistance when they are textured or treated, but are often more prone to becoming slick when wet unless specifically designed for slip resistance. Thus, creosote wood stands out as the best option for minimizing slip and fall incidents.