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Using a walkway with adjustable inclination to measure and assess slip and fall risks

Gao, Chuansi LU ; Halder, Amitava LU ; Svensson, Ingrid LU ; Gard, Gunvor LU ; Nikoleris, Giorgos LU ; Andersson, Per-Erik LU and Magnusson, Måns LU orcid (2014) CIB W099 International Health and Safety Conference on Achieving Sustainable Construction Health and Safety p.118-124
Abstract
Fall is the most common cause of serious work related accidents. Falls and related injuries not only cause suffering for individuals, but also means a high economic burden to industries and society. The objective of the study was to use a walkway with in-built force plate, adjustable inclination and surface to assess how risks of slips and falls vary due to inclination and friction of the walkway surface. A walkway was designed with adjustable slopes between 0 to 30 degrees. Subject walking tests were performed on dry and wet steel sheet surfaces in two walking directions (uphill and downhill) at three inclination angles (0, 5 and 10 degrees). 3D ground reaction forces while walking were recorded using the force plate. Required coefficient... (More)
Fall is the most common cause of serious work related accidents. Falls and related injuries not only cause suffering for individuals, but also means a high economic burden to industries and society. The objective of the study was to use a walkway with in-built force plate, adjustable inclination and surface to assess how risks of slips and falls vary due to inclination and friction of the walkway surface. A walkway was designed with adjustable slopes between 0 to 30 degrees. Subject walking tests were performed on dry and wet steel sheet surfaces in two walking directions (uphill and downhill) at three inclination angles (0, 5 and 10 degrees). 3D ground reaction forces while walking were recorded using the force plate. Required coefficient of friction (RCOF) was derived to determine slip and fall risks. The main finding of this study is that the RCOF during heel strike when walking downwards on the steel plate surface increases linearly as the inclination increases. The results contribute to the understanding of slipping and falling mechanisms and the prevention of slipping and falling accidents. When ramps or sloped surfaces are used in workplaces, slip resistance between footwear and the sloped surfaces should be improved. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
slips and falls, slope, gait biomechanics, required coefficient of friction.
host publication
Proceedings of CIB W099 International Conference Achieving Sustainable Construction Health and Safety
editor
Aulin, Radhlinah and Ek, Åsa
pages
7 pages
publisher
Lund University
conference name
CIB W099 International Health and Safety Conference on Achieving Sustainable Construction Health and Safety
conference location
Lund, Sweden
conference dates
2014-06-02
ISBN
978-91-7623-005-3
project
Slip and fall accidents, friction requirements, and balance ability
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
12ca16e0-856d-450d-8ca3-bfef195f343d (old id 4463100)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:55:38
date last changed
2020-06-01 08:14:27
@inproceedings{12ca16e0-856d-450d-8ca3-bfef195f343d,
  abstract     = {{Fall is the most common cause of serious work related accidents. Falls and related injuries not only cause suffering for individuals, but also means a high economic burden to industries and society. The objective of the study was to use a walkway with in-built force plate, adjustable inclination and surface to assess how risks of slips and falls vary due to inclination and friction of the walkway surface. A walkway was designed with adjustable slopes between 0 to 30 degrees. Subject walking tests were performed on dry and wet steel sheet surfaces in two walking directions (uphill and downhill) at three inclination angles (0, 5 and 10 degrees). 3D ground reaction forces while walking were recorded using the force plate. Required coefficient of friction (RCOF) was derived to determine slip and fall risks. The main finding of this study is that the RCOF during heel strike when walking downwards on the steel plate surface increases linearly as the inclination increases. The results contribute to the understanding of slipping and falling mechanisms and the prevention of slipping and falling accidents. When ramps or sloped surfaces are used in workplaces, slip resistance between footwear and the sloped surfaces should be improved.}},
  author       = {{Gao, Chuansi and Halder, Amitava and Svensson, Ingrid and Gard, Gunvor and Nikoleris, Giorgos and Andersson, Per-Erik and Magnusson, Måns}},
  booktitle    = {{Proceedings of CIB W099 International Conference Achieving Sustainable Construction Health and Safety}},
  editor       = {{Aulin, Radhlinah and Ek, Åsa}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-7623-005-3}},
  keywords     = {{slips and falls; slope; gait biomechanics; required coefficient of friction.}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{118--124}},
  publisher    = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Using a walkway with adjustable inclination to measure and assess slip and fall risks}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/5654034/4463126.pdf}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}