Affiliations: Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua
University, Beijing, China | Department of Industrial Management, Chung Hua
University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
Note: [] Corresponding author: Kai Way Li, Department of Industrial
Management, Chung Hua University, No. 707, Section 2, Wufú Rd, Xiangshan
District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan 300. Tel.: +886 3 518 6583; Fax: +886 3 518
6575; E-mail: kai@chu.edu.tw
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Slips and falls contribute to occupational injuries and
fatalities globally. Both floor slipperiness and floor roughness affect the
occurrence of slipping and falling. Investigations on fall-related phenomena
are important for the safety and health of workers. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to: compare the perceived
floor slipperiness before and after walking on the floor; compare the perceived
floor slipperiness with and without shoes for males and females; discuss the
perceived floor roughness based on barefoot walking; and establish regression
models to describe the relationship between perceived floor slipperiness and
actual friction of the floors. METHODS: Male and female subjects walked on 3 m walkways with or
without shoes. The perceived floor slipperiness ratings both before and after
their walk were collected. RESULTS: The perceived floor slipperiness both before and after
walking were significantly affected by both floor and surface conditions.
Gender, floor, surface, and footwear conditions were all significant factors
affecting the adjustment of perceived floor slipperiness. The subjects made
more adjustment on perceived floor slipperiness rating when they had shoes on
than when they were barefooted. CONCLUSION: Regression models were established to describe the
relationship between perceived floor slipperiness and floor coefficient of
friction. These models may be used to estimate perceived floor slipperiness, or
in reverse, the coefficient of friction of the floor, so as to prevent slipping
and falling in workplaces.
Keywords: Slips and falls, subjective rating, coefficient of friction
