Development of a Slip-Resistance Meter for Evaluating Fall Risk on Slippery Floors Covered with Soapsuds
A series of studies aims to identify potential fall risks of stepping barefoot on flooring surfaces covered with soapsuds in bathing areas. In this study, a prototype of slip meter to simulate slipping movements of a foot using a linear motor actuator with the resolution of 1.0 μm and a normal power of 1,728 N (maximum power of 3,456 N), enabled us to simulate every actual slipping movement of a foot. Measuring requirements such as an initial average velocity, the duration time, slip-acceleration, vertical forces were examined. The COF values were calculated at 1 ms interval for each examination. The following requirements of COF measurements were obtained, i.e., (1) the initial slip-velocity at the beginning of measurements of COF: 0.1m/s, (2) the maximum slip-velocity: 0.5 m/s at final point of measurements, (3) the vertical force of measurements: 250 N, (4) the applied velocity of vertical force: 11.0 kN/s and (5) the slip-acceleration: 5.0m/s2. This study suggested a new slip meter to evaluate potential fall risks of flooring surfaces covered with soapsuds. A new slip meter had been developed, so as to simulate accelerated slips of a foot on slippery flooring surfaces. The COF values of seven flooring surfaces measured by a new slip meter in this study were corresponding with potential fall risks, which showed the percentage of the loss of balance when turning barefoot at right angle on slippery floors.
Hisao Nagata Hitoshi Watanabe Yukihiko Inoue In-Ju Kim
Waseda University Availvs Corporation, Japan Safety Research and Solutions, Australia
国际会议
17th World Congress on Ergonomics(第十七届国际人类工效学大会)
北京
英文
1-6
2009-08-09（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）