Evaluation of workers' perceived sense of slip and effect of prior knowledge of slipperiness during task performance on slippery surfaces

Citation
S. Chiou et al., Evaluation of workers' perceived sense of slip and effect of prior knowledge of slipperiness during task performance on slippery surfaces, AIHAJ, 61(4), 2000, pp. 492-500
Citations number
16
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
AIHAJ
ISSN journal
1529-8663 → ACNP
Volume
61
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
492 - 500
Database
ISI
SICI code
1529-8663(200007/08)61:4<492:EOWPSO>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
Forty healthy industrial workers (age: 41.0 +/- 14.9 years) were tested for postural stability for three simulated tasks: (1) standing upright; (2) ra pid trunk movement; and (3) lateral reach during lifting. These tasks were performed on four levels of slippery surfaces under different environmental lighting with new or workers' own old shoes. Prior to postural stability t ests, each subject was given the opportunity to assess the surface slipperi ness that he or she would encounter in the subsequent postural stability te sts. A perceived sense of slip (PSOS) scale was administrated immediately a fter each test to determine subjects' PSOS. Subjects' postural sway and ins tability during task performance was determined by using a strain gauge typ e force platform. Results from this study indicate that subjects who were c autious in assessing surface slipperiness had less postural instability dur ing task performance. Subjects could perceive the likely slips due to the c hange in task (p=0.0001) and surface slipperiness (p=0.0001). The PSOS scal e is reproducible, easy to use, and provides a simple way to evaluate poten tial slip hazards in the workplace. Results from this study should aid unde rstanding of the factors critical to maintaining postural stability on slip pery surfaces, and will help to develop guidelines for safety training and identify slip hazards in the workplace.