Affiliations: [a] Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA | [b] Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, MS, USA | [c] Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Harish Chander, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, 216 McCarthy Gym, PO Box: 6186, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Tel.: +1 662 202 7977; Fax: +1 662 323 4525; E-mail:hchander@colled.msstate.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Slip induced falls have been identified as a major
causative factor for injuries in workplace. Firefighter's boots play a
critical role in personal safety and affects postural stability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine slip severity in
firefighters while wearing rubber and leather boots. METHODS: Thirty professional firefighters were tested on two
separate days with a rubber boot and a randomly chosen leather boot.
Firefighters performed a three minute simulated stair climb wearing a full
set personal protective equipment (PPE). Following this, they performed
normal walking trials and a slip trial without the knowledge of the slippery
floor. After a brief rest, they repeated the stair climb and walking trials
followed by another slip trial with the knowledge of the slippery floor. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in slip parameters
between boot and slip types. Significantly greater slip parameters were seen
in rubber boots and during unexpected slips. CONCLUSIONS: These
results suggest that rubber boots elicit greater slip severity indicating a
2.67 to 4.8 times and 2.49 to 3.6 times greater chance of a hazardous slip
during unexpected and expected slips respectively, compared to leather
boots. These findings provide practical information on firefighting work
practices and PPE usage decisions.
Keywords: Firefighter, slips, non-hazardous and hazardous slips, rubber and leather boots
