Swedish standard for non-slip footwear
Luleå University of Technology has been commissioned by the Swedish Transport Administration to investigate whether it is possible to develop a Swedish standard for anti-slip shoes, as well as for winter shoes and soles. This so that they meet the requirements to guarantee the user the best safety when walking on ice and snow.
Every year, 25,000-30,000 people in Sweden are injured after slipping on ice or snow, according to the Swedish Consumer Agency. On average, 3,000 people are hospitalized each year in Sweden as a result of falls on ice and snow. This is according to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare.
The assignment Luleå University of Technology has received from the Swedish Transport Administration means that, with the help of test persons, a number of different anti-slip devices and shoes will be tested to investigate friction and balance ability on different surfaces. In addition, the user-friendliness will be investigated; how are they to put on, do they fit well and how does the user experience them.
It will also be investigated whether it is possible to develop a Swedish standard, and perhaps also a Nordic and European standard for winter shoes, soles and anti-slip protection. It will also be investigated what a test activity on this should look like, what further research is needed in the area and how aids and footwear for pedestrians in winter can be developed, for fewer slipping accidents.
- I absolutely believe that it is possible to develop a Swedish standard for anti-slip devices, winter shoes and soles. Considering how many people are injured every year in Sweden due to falls due to slipping and snow, and what it costs society in terms of health care costs, this is important, says Glenn Berggård, project manager and researcher at Luleå University of Technology at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering.
For several years, Glenn Berggård has conducted systematic research on anti-slip and various surfaces using practical laboratory tests in the outdoor environment. He is known for these tests with real pedestrians of different ages who simply put on the 30 or so anti-slip models available on the market and tested the ability and function of the protection on specially made ice and slip tracks.
In simple terms, the principle has been the same as for certain car testing activities on winter roads, namely that the surface had different temperatures, different types of friction and varying precipitation.
Among other things, Glenn Berggård has tested how the grip of the anti-slip pads has varied depending on heel protection, foot protection or full foot protection. The temperature of the surface has varied between -2 and -7 degrees and the surface has been, among other things, bare ice, sanded ice, ice with chips or snow on ice.
- Most accidents occur during the first day with fresh snow on ice that is then not visible, says Glenn Berggård.
Report LTU: Consumer tests of winter shoes and anti-slip
Glenn Berggård
Contact
Glenn Berggård
- Universitetslektor, Avdelningschef
- 0920-491711
- glenn.berggard@ltu.se
- Glenn Berggård
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