SHORT REPORT Reduction of slips, trips and falls and better comfort by using new anti-slipping boots in fishing

摘要

1. Introduction Slips, trips and falls (STFs) are the most common causes of major workplace injury in Britain (Medical News Today, 2010). Fishing is one of the most dangerous industries with falling over-board as one of the main causes of fatal injuries (Petursdottir, Hjoervar, & Snorrason, 2007). In Alaskan commercial fishing, 25% of serious injuries were caused by falls (Lincoln, Husberg, & Conway, 2001; Thomas, Lincoln, Husberg, & Conway, 2001). In Danish fishing, falls accounted for 25% of all injuries, 28% of all contusions, 32% of all fractures, 61% of all sprains and strains, 40% of all injuries to lower extremities and 62% of all injuries to the chest (Jensen, 2000). There are no studies that evaluate the impact, safety or comfort of footwear in fishing. Thus, the objective of this study was to study the fishermen's experiences as they tested new boots with anti-slipping soles to determine comfort and possible reduction of injury.