Citation

Chaffin DB, Woldstad JC, Trujillo A. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 1992; 53(5): 283-289.

Affiliation

Center for Ergonomics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2117.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, American Industrial Hygiene Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1609738

Abstract

A variety of slip measurement devices exist that provide estimates of both static and dynamic coefficient-of-friction (COF) values between one's shoes and the floor. Unfortunately, different shoe sole/heel materials, floor conditions, and contaminants will affect the tests in ways that result in widely varying COF estimates. This paper reviews the basic physics of such tests and describes a set of experiments to determine the static and dynamic COF values under operating conditions known to exist in different jobs. The results define a set of conditions wherein low (hazardous) COF values would exist (e.g., hard Neolite shoe material in contact with a wet, smooth walking surface). The results also question the use of light-load testing devices and static and slow speed reference COF values in the literature.

Language: en