The Combined Benefits of Slip-Resistant Shoes and High Traction Flooring on Coefficient of Friction Exceeds Their Individual Contributions

Abstract

High traction flooring and slip-resistant shoes are often used to reduce slip and fall accidents. However, the relative contribution and interactions across these parameters on available coefficient of friction (ACOF) are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of flooring and slip-resistant shoes on ACOF. Seventeen shoes, five flooring tiles and three contaminants were tested using a robotic slip-tester, while ACOF was measured. ACOF was higher for slip-resistant shoes than not slip-resistant shoes. Larger effects were observed for shoe classification compared with flooring. Interaction effects indicated that the gap across shoe classifications was greater for the high ACOF floorings compared to the low ACOF floorings. This study suggests that the benefit of combining high traction flooring and slip-resistant shoes exceed the summed benefit of these factors and has the potential to reduce slipping events.