Work

Can shoe tip modifications on safety shoes reduce the braking forces in a trip-simulating, free-body shoe collision test?

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Tripping often results in injury, especially in occupational settings, leading to both loss in production and increased medical expenses. Trips may occur over small perturbations, as low as 5 mm, making it almost impossible to provide effective safety precautions in many occupational settings. This explorative study evaluated the mechanical effects of collisions applied to three novel trip-reducing elements placed on the tip of a safety shoe. The assessment was conducted using a new mechanical free-body collision test, to analyse how the braking forces were affected by the trip-reducing elements. The elements tested showed a decrease of up to 83% in peak braking force and 89% in braking impulse suggesting a possible reduction in the risk of fall after tripping. Still, in-vivo studies are warranted to test if such trip-reducing elements can minimise the risk of falls in settings mimicking real life.
Source: Figshare
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6902177361
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