Determining Slip And Fall Risk Based On Shoe Tread
We often look at tire tread to determine how safe our vehicle is and how much traction the tires have to stop. Tread isn’t just important for cars and trucks, though. It’s also a good way to indicate how safe our shoes are.
Many workplace injuries are caused by slips and falls. While a lot of these accidents involve negligence and careless behavior, a lot of it has to do with footwear. Obviously, a person who wears high heels or sandals has a higher risk of slipping and falling, but another thing to consider is what is on the bottom of the shoes.
Many shoes are touted as slip-resistant because they feature channels that help drain fluid. However, just like anything else, shoes experience wear and tear, making these channels disappear over time. Just like how tires with low tread can hydroplane on a wet road, your shoes may be slipping around in a similar manner.
However, tire treads focus on depth, whereas in shoes, the risk depends on worn patches. A battery can help you determine when these worn patches warrant new shoes. You can use the base of a AA battery to measure wear and tear on a shoe. It’s time to replace your shoes when the worn region is larger than the battery’s base. As this worn patch increases, so does your risk of slipping and falling. Because AA batteries are globally universal in size, they serve as a good indicator of wear and tear on shoes.
There is no set timeframe in which a person should replace their shoes. That’s because everyone will experience wear and tear at different rates due to differences in walking styles. When a person uses more friction when walking, they’ll wear through their shoes at faster rates.
It’s also a good idea to assess the tread before buying shoes. Large treads are not the best, since they act in the same manner as a worn patch, making slips and falls more likely.
While the right shoes can be helpful in reducing slips and falls, there are other hazards to be aware of. Wet and oily floors are one of the main causes of slips and falls, so it’s important to keep surfaces clean and dry. Rugs and mats can also cause a person to slip, so it’s a good idea to either keep them tethered to the floor or remove them altogether. A lack of lighting can also be an issue, so all walkways and paths should have adequate lighting.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
There are many factors involved in a slip and fall case, and the quality of your shoes may be one of them. Wear and tear can impact shoes, making you more likely to fall after making contact with a slippery surface.
Slips and falls can cause serious injuries. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Houston slip and fall attorneys at The West Law Office, PLLC. We can help determine liability and get you the compensation you deserve. Fill out the online form or call 281-347-3247 to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
engineering.pitt.edu/News/2021/Battery-test-poster/
