Issues of wear and tear on the shoe heel surfaces and their effects on slip resistance performances.
Authors
Kim-I-J; Nagata-H; Hsiao-H; Simeonov-P; Chiou-S; Kim-J-S
Source
Research and Practice for Fall Injury Control in the Workplace: Proceedings of International Conference on Fall Prevention and Protection. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-103, 2011 Nov; :73-76
Abstract
This study was concerned with identifying wear phenomena of the shoe surfaces in an early stage of sliding friction and its effects on slip resistance properties. Novel concepts on wear phenomena of the heel surfaces were proposed in order to gain fundamental insight into the anatomical picture of the tribological characteristics involved. A series of dynamic slip resistance tests were conducted between two polyurethane shoes and ceramic plates under dry conditions. Worn surfaces of the heels were comprehensively analyzed by quantitative and qualitative methods during the tests. The results clearly revealed that plastic deformations and cuttings by relatively sharp asperities and fatigue by more rounded asperities were identified as main mechanisms for the shoe wear. Although fatigue wear was not clear, microscopic observations of crack formations and propagations on the heel surfaces provided strong evidences to ascertain this aspect. Whilst the proposed wear concepts and model for the shoes would require further investigations, this study suggests that future research on slips and falls should pay attention to the issues on wear and tear behaviors of the footwear and their impacts on slip resistance performance.
Keywords
Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Accident-statistics; Ergonomics; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Microscopic-analysis; Qualitative-analysis; Risk-analysis; Risk-factors; Surface-properties
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Priority Area
Construction
Source Name
Research and Practice for Fall Injury Control in the Workplace: Proceedings of International Conference on Fall Prevention and Protection
