Essential Design Criteria for an Ergonomically Sound Portable Slip-Resistance Tester, and Other Field Measurement Considerations

摘要

The control of slip and fall related injuries in the workplace is a major concern for safety professionals and safety organizations. Although many alternative techniques and devices measure static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction (COF's) few of the approaches match the actual biomechanics of the walking human. Some of these devices are truly portable, but most are laboratory-bound. A portable device is essential because work floors are often contaminated with lubricants which accumulate unevenly and cause high slip potential. The purpose of the paper is to recommend design criteria for a generic portable friction measurement device capable of both static and dynamic COF measurements. Other issues addressed include the standardization of calibration techniques, selection of test materials, and development of a standardized field test protocol. Working from these design criteria, it is hoped that new devices or techniques will be developed which, when used in conjunction with standard calibration and field measurement techniques, serve the needs of employers and safety professionals in preventing slip and fall accidents.