The measurement of slipperiness--an international scientific symposium

Occupational slips, trips, and falls (STF) present a tremendous burden on the working people of the world. The precise contribution of slipping to this burden is not completely understood and significant questions exist regarding the definition and measurement of slipperiness. In an attempt to advance slipperiness measurement, a workshop symposium of tribologists, biomechanists, clinicians, engineers, epidemiologists and related scientists was held in order to summarize the state of the science in slipperiness measurement. Organized into issue-focused working groups, participants collaborated on manuscripts addressing conceptual and definitional issues, the contribution of slipperiness to STF injury, and biomechanical, human-centred, and tribological approaches to slipperiness measurement. The conference design, contributions of working groups and outcomes are summarized.