Floor/shoe slip resistance measurement.
A variety of slip measurement devices exist that provide estimates of both static and dynamic coefficient-of-friction (COF) values between one's shoes and the floor. Unfortunately, different shoe sole/heel materials, floor conditions, and contaminants will affect the tests in ways that result in widely varying COF estimates. This paper reviews the basic physics of such tests and describes a set of experiments to determine the static and dynamic COF values under operating conditions known to exist in different jobs. The results define a set of conditions wherein low (hazardous) COF values would exist (e.g., hard Neolite shoe material in contact with a wet, smooth walking surface). The results also question the use of light-load testing devices and static and slow speed reference COF values in the literature.
Chaffin
D B
DB
Center for Ergonomics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2117.
Woldstad
J C
JC
Trujillo
A
A
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D012775:Shoes