What is the term for the loss of balance due to a lack of friction between your feet and the surface?

The term for the loss of balance due to a lack of friction between your feet and the surface is accurately identified as a slip. Slips occur when there is insufficient traction, which may be a result of wet, icy, or otherwise slippery surfaces. This lack of friction prevents your foot from maintaining proper contact with the ground, leading to a loss of stability and potentially causing you to fall.

Understanding slips is important in health and safety training, particularly in evaluating environments where hazards might exist. For instance, workers in settings where wet or oily surfaces are common need to be particularly cautious to avoid slipping incidents. This term is distinct from others like trip, fall, or stumble, which refer to different types of physical loss of balance or control.