Preface

Slips, trips and falls (STF) are a serious problem. Substantial losses due to STF injuries are reported worldwide, including the USA, the UK, Finland and Sweden (Buck and Coleman 1985, Manning et al. 1988, Grönqvist and Roine 1993, Kemmlert and Lundholm 1998, Courtney et al. 2001, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety 2008). As the leading antecedent for unintentional injury-related emergency department visits, STF account for 21% of such visits in the United States (National Safety Council 2008).

In the workplace, Courtney and Webster (2001) identified falls on the same level and falls to a lower level as two of the top five exposures in occupational disability by severity and frequency, based on days away from work data in 1996 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the 2007 Liberty Mutual Safety Index (Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety 2008), costs for disabling workplace injuries in 2005 due to falls on the same level and falls to a lower level were estimated to be approximately US $6.6 and US $5.0 billion, respectively. Among the total disabling workplace injuries, falls on the same level and falls to a lower level accounted for 13.6% and 10.4% of costs, respectively. In addition, bodily reaction, which included slips or trips without a fall, accounted for US $4.8 billion or 10% of costs for the same period. Moreover, data published by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety (2008) also showed that falls on the same level and falls to a lower level increased 25.6% and 16.4%, respectively, between 1998 and 2005, while the overall costs of disabling workplace injuries increased only 3.9% over the same period. A common misconception regarding slip and fall injuries is that most result from falls from elevations. However, falls from elevations, while typically resulting in higher claim costs and levels of disability, represented only 35% of all workers' compensation claims related to slips and falls. In contrast, falls on the same level accounted for 65% of claims and 55% of claims cost in total direct workers' compensation for occupational injuries due to slips and falls (Leamon and Murphy 1995).

Important elements in determining whether people will be injured due to STF incidents are anticipation and adaptation. Anticipation involves the ability to perceive the floor conditions ahead and to determine the course of action for prevention of a STF incident. Adaptation involves human reactions to a triggering event resulting in a loss of balance, such as a slip or trip, in order to regain balance and prevent an injury.

Neurosensorial afferences that determine posture control include visual, vestibular, proprioceptive and exteroceptive. Falls are caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors as summarised by Gauchard et al. (2001). Extrinsic factors include task parameters, such as activity type and temporal constraint/urgency, and environmental parameters, such as contamination, maintenance, lighting and shoes. Intrinsic factors include ageing, pathologies, alcohol, drugs, experience, attention, physical status and fatigue. STF incidents are, therefore, a complex problem. Multi-disciplinary approaches involving epidemiology, biomechanics, psychology, tribology and chemistry are needed to understand issues involved in this type of incident and to develop successful interventions.

The majority of the papers in this special issue were presented in concept at the International Conference on Slips, Trips and Falls 2007 – From Research to Practice, held in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA, 23–24 August 2007. Under the sponsorship of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), the Ergonomics Society and Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, this conference was the first major activity undertaken by the IEA Technical Committee on Slips, Trips and Falls since its formation in 2006. The present compilation contains expanded and enhanced manuscripts revised to meet the standards for publication in Ergonomics. These papers address a broad range of issues from research to practice. The collection reflects the complexity of STF incidents and how much there is to learn about the causes of these incidents. They also reflect opportunities for future research.

The contribution from the authors of the papers in this special issue is greatly appreciated. Special thanks go to Professor Roger Haslam, the coordinating editor of Ergonomics, for his kind considerations and for his assistance. The contribution from the reviewers, who remain anonymous, is also appreciated. This special issue would not be possible without the strength of this collective effort.