Citation

Aschan C, Hirvonen M, Mannelin T, Rajamaki E. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 2004; 33(2): 149-157.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

For years stevedores and labour protection authorities in Finland have been concerned about the safety properties of lumber wraps. The wraps used to protect lumber during transportation and warehousing have proven to be slippery especially in wintertime when covered e.g. by ice, snow or frost. The aim of this project was to reduce the risk of industrial accidents in stevedoring of the lumber bundles by developing a measurement method that can estimate the slipperiness of lumber wraps, and by determining the slip resistance values required for safe working.

The slip resistance of lumber wraps was assessed by test subjects in laboratory walking tests using paired comparison and subjective rating. The results obtained in the walking tests were used to estimate the validity and reliability of the developed measurement method. The method presented adopts a well-established slip resistance method, and the lumber wrap is covered with frost to produce a slippery surface. The results of slip resistance measurements showed a significant correlation (paired comparison: r=0.933, pr=0.909, pRelevance to industryEvery year many workdays are lost due to accidents in stevedoring, caused by slippery lumber wraps. Slipperiness of the lumber wraps currently on the market can be estimated by using the developed measurement method. It can also be utilized by manufacturers of lumber wraps when developing new, safer products.