RESUMO
Slips and falls are a leading cause of injuries in the workplace. The risk of slipping increases as shoe tread wears. Knowledge of the mechanics relating shoe wear to slip risk is needed to develop fall-prevention strategies. This research applies a rectangular, tapered-wedge bearing solution to worn shoes and compares the results to experimentally measured under-shoe fluid pressure results. Changes in the size of the shoe outsole worn region and fluid dispersion capabilities were recorded for four, slip-resistant shoes which were systematically abraded. The film thickness predicted by the solution correlated well with the measured force supported by the fluid. The results provide support that the tapered-wedge solution can be used to assess slip risk in worn shoes.
RESUMO
Shoe wear is known to increase slipping risk, but few studies have systematically studied this relationship. This study investigated the impact of progressive shoe wear on the available coefficient of friction (ACOF) and under-shoe fluid dynamics. Five different slip-resistant shoes were progressively worn using an accelerated, abrasive, wear protocol. The ACOF and fluid forces (the load supported by the fluid) were measured as shoes were slipped across a surface contaminated with a diluted glycerol solution. As the shoes became worn, an initial increase in ACOF was followed by a steady decrease. Low fluid forces were observed prior to wear followed by increased fluid forces as the worn region became larger. Results suggest that traction performance decreases particularly when the heel region without tread exceeds a size of 800â¯mm2. This study supports the concept of developing shoe replacement guidelines based upon the size of the worn region to reduce occupational slips.
