Protective Footwear And The Risk Of Slipping In Older Workers – Definitions, Achievements, Recommendations

Abstract

Foot slippage is the most widespread unforeseen event causing falls on the same level, and a potentially contributing factor to falls from height and falls to a lower level. Statistical data on the number of slip-related accidents at work show the importance of the problem of slipping and indicate the need to continuously improve preventive measures designed to reduce injuries related to slipping, tripping, and falling (STF) on the same level. It is therefore necessary to continuously and insightfully analyze the causes of falls and undertake efforts to eliminate the occurrence of slip- and trip-induced workplace accidents. The occurrence of slips and trips is primarily related to the type and quality of floor surfaces, but it also depends on the biomechanical characteristics of the lower limbs in the transitional phases of walking gait, sole material and tread, human factors such as age, weight, and motor and vision function, the ability to adapt to the floor surface conditions, as well as on a number of factors linked to the workplace environment and work organization. This problem is going to escalate as a result of the higher retirement age, due to which many persons over the age of 60 will have to continue working, often in hazardous conditions.

Emerging safety risks from public facilities: a field study for ablution spaces in mosques

“…It measures a coefficient of friction (COF) between a grooved Neolite test foot sample and the floor. The operational rules of this device are to concurrently employ corresponding and normal forces to the floor by striking the Neolite test foot (Irzmańska, 2015). The test foot size is approximately 76.2 by 76.2 mm (3 in.…”

Safeguarding public facilities: a study on enhancing safety in mosque amenities through slip-resistance and surface innovations

“…Based on the literature, this study also adopted a minimum safety threshold of 0.5 for the DFC value (Li et al , 2004; Kim, 2017; Kim and Bendak, 2021; Kim, 2022). The used tribometer applies vertical and horizontal forces to the floor simultaneously by hitting the Neolite test foot, enabling accurate slip resistance measurements (Irzmańska, 2015; Kim and Bendak, 2021). Inclusive information regarding the device and its operational notions can be retrieved from previous publications (Chang et al , 2001; Li et al , 2004; Leffler, 2015a, 2015b; Kim and Bendak, 2021), providing a comprehensive understanding of its functionality and reliability in slip resistance evaluations.…”

Tribological approach for the safety assessment of flooring/walkway surfaces: Application for the prevention of pedestrian fall incidence

“…[1][2][3] Many researchers around the world have investigated to identify the root causes of the fall incidence. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The recent literature reports that lack of traction (or grip) between a shoe and floor is one of the most causing events leading to falls. Accordingly, a coefficient of friction (COF) between the shoe heel/sole and floor surface has been extensively measured to assess grip or traction properties.…”

“…8 On the other hand, recent studies have underlined the significance of surface texture effects on traction controls under lubricated conditions. [8][9][10] As a result, a number of topographic features were quantified to identify any correlation against the traction properties. [5][6][7][8][11][12][13][14] Findings in the literature also show that the surface texture of shoes and floors considerably contributes to traction performances.…”