title: Factors associated with use of slip-resistant shoes in US limited-service restaurant workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Slips and falls are a leading cause of injury at work. Several studies have indicated that slip-resistant shoes can reduce the risk of occupational slips and falls. Few studies, however, have examined the determinants of slip-resistant shoe use. This study examined the individual and workplace factors associated with slip-resistant shoe use.
  
  
  METHODS
  475 workers from 36 limited-service restaurants in the USA participated in a study of workplace slipping. Demographic and job characteristic information about each participant was collected. Restaurant managers provided information on whether slip-resistant shoes were provided and paid for by the employer and whether any guidance was given regarding slip-resistant shoe use when they were not provided. Kitchen floor coefficient of friction was measured. Slip-resistant status of the shoes was determined by noting the presence of a 'slip-resistant' marking on the sole. Poisson regression with robust SE was used to calculate prevalence ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  320 participants wore slip-resistant shoes (67%). In the multivariate analysis, the prevalence of slip-resistant shoe use was lowest in 15-19-year age group. Women were more likely to wear slip-resistant shoes (prevalence ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.31). The prevalence of slip-resistant shoe use was lower when no guidance regarding slip-resistant shoes was given as compared to when they were provided by the employer (prevalence ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.79). Education level, job tenure and the mean coefficient of friction had no significant effects on the use of slip-resistant shoes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Provision of slip-resistant shoes was the strongest predictor of their use. Given their effectiveness and low cost, employers should consider providing slip-resistant shoes at work.
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Epidemiology, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748, USA. santosh.verma@libertymutual.com
authors.forename: Santosh K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Theodore K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Corns
authors.forename: Yueng-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Wen-Ruey
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Melanye J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012147:Restaurants; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012775:Shoes; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult