ABSTRACT
Slips and trips may, besides causing injuries, also contribute to mechanical loading on the musculoskeletal system. Sudden, unexpected corrective body movements made to restore balance and to prevent a fall can create substantial muscle forces and harmful loading on the spine (Lavender et al., 1988). Manning and Shannon (1981) and Manning et al. (1984) reported that slipping was a common cause of low-back pain and disability in a car factory. Slips and trips can lead to quick transitions of shear forces between shoes and floors during manual exertion (lifting, pushing, pulling, and load carrying), which may sometimes create unavoidable mechanical load on the musculoskeletal system. However, the amount of sudden unexpected strain needed to cause irreversible damage in the low back due to a slip or trip has not yet been clarified.
