Occupational slip, trip, and fall-related injuries can the contribution of slipperiness be isolated?

Abstract

To determine if the contribution of slipperiness to occupational slip, trip and fall (STF)-related injuries could be isolated from injury surveillance systems in the USA, the UK and Sweden, six governmental systems and one industrial system were consulted. The systems varied in their capture approaches and the degree of documentation of exposure to slipping. The burden of STF-related occupational injury ranged from 20 to 40% of disabling occupational injuries in the developed countries studied. The annual direct cost of fall-related occupational injuries in the USA alone was estimated to be approximately US$6 billion. Slipperiness or slipping were found to contribute to between 40 and 50% of fall-related injuries. Slipperiness was more often a factor in same level falls than in falls to lower levels. The evaluation of the burden of slipperiness was hampered by design limitations in many of the data systems utilized. The resolution of large-scale injury registries should be improved by collecting more detailed incident sequence information to better define the full scope and contribution of slipperiness to occupational STF-related injuries. Such improvements would facilitate the allocation of prevention resources towards reduction of first-event risk factors such as slipping.

Nonfatal occupational injuries associated with slips and falls in the United States

“…While workers from 35 to 44 years of age accounted for majority of slip-related injuries, due to the highest employee population among this age cohort, conclusion regarding highest incident rate based upon the total population should not infer age-related characteristics of sliprelated injuries. For example, compared to all disabling injuries, disabling fall victims were more likely to be over the age of 55 years (Courtney et al, 2001), and occupational fall mortality rates increased substantially with age peaking in workers 65 years of age and older (i.e., the workers over 65 age groups were involved in higher injury/mortality rate due to fall on same level cases than other events).…”

Effects of Aging on the Biomechanics of Slips and Falls

“…Additionally, falls and hip fractures among older adults rank among the most serious public health problems in the United States, with costs expected to exceed $43.8 billion by the year 2020 (Englander, Hodson, & Terregrossa, 1996). Furthermore, fall accidents are the second leading cause of work-related fatalities, after motor vehicle accidents, and compared with victims of all disabling injuries, victims of disabling falls are more likely to be older than 55 years (Courtney, Sorock, Manning, Collins, & Holbein-Jenny, 2001 ).…”

Effect of Step Length and Walking Speed on Traction Coefficient and Slip between Shoe Sole and Walkway

“…Slip is one of the most common causes of falling accidents 6) . Therefore, prevention of the slip has been strongly required in order to reduce the number of tolls killed by falling accidents.…”