SlipsSRFDINCT07280988
Effectiveness of Slip Resistant Footwear in Dairy Industry
A study testing Environment specific safety footwear in people with Slips and Falls Prevention, run by Aalborg University at 1 site in Denmark.
Trial summary
In the dairy industry, same-level falls are a major problem and a well-known challenge. At Arla's dairy in Taulov, where this RCT study is being carried out, reports of risk observations, near incidents, and workplace accidents have increased over the past five years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Slips, Falls Prevention, Perceived Slipperiness
- What is being tested?
- Environment specific safety footwear
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 22 participants
- Where
- 1 siteDenmark
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 10 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Full-time employed at Arla Taulov dairy facility.
- No major injuries affecting their daily work.
- No plans of retiring before the end of the study period.
Who cannot join
- Surgery in the feet and under extremity within the last three months. Pregnancy.
- Part-time workers.
- Neurological disorders affecting gait.
- Can read and understand Danish
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Environment Specific Slip Resistant Footwear - A Randomized Cross-Over Study From Danish Dairy Industry
In the dairy industry, same-level falls are a major problem and a well-known challenge. At Arla's dairy in Taulov, where this RCT study is being carried out, reports of risk observations, near incidents, and workplace accidents have increased over the past five years. Accident statistics further show that same-level falls are the most common incidents, with slippery floors and surfaces being by far the main cause of both near incidents and risk observations. Because of this, it is necessary to test different types of safety footwear that, based on laboratory studies, are considered particularly suitable for the working environment in a dairy.
it is hypothesized that employees, through subjective questionnaires, will rate one shoe as less slippery than the other. At the same time, it is hypothesized that employees will also subjectively find one shoe more comfortable than the other.
Read the detailed description
Slipping, tripping, and falling (STF) are the second most common risk factor for serious occupational accidents in Denmark, accounting for 18.9% of the cases. In fact, general fall accidents in 2016 were estimated to cause annual additional costs of 3.9 billion DKK due to lost productivity, and a further 4.8 billion DKK in healthcare and long-term care expenses. Similar numbers are observed in the United States, where STF is likewise reported as the second most common cause of workplace accidents. The primary cause of STF incidents is often insufficient friction between footwear and walking surfaces. In response to this issue, ASTM International in 2021 raised the minimum threshold for certified slip-resistant footwear, making it even more challenging for manufacturers to meet test requirements. Although recent years have brought advances in the understanding of mechanisms leading to STF events-particularly slipping-there is still insufficient research translating this knowledge into practical preventive measures. Data from the Danish Working Environment Authority confirm this gap, showing that reported STF accidents increased between 2016 and 2021. Moreover, the actual number of near incidents is likely even higher, as many are never formally registered. Implementing existing prevention knowledge into effective, practical interventions remains a key challenge. Analysis of gait patterns has been suggested as a way to better understand changes in walking stability, thereby enabling quantification of near-incidents occurrences.
This RCT study will, for the first time, combine multiple measurement parameters, including reported falls, near incidents, risk situations, perceived slip resistance, and gait characteristics (e.g., step length, cadence). These outcomes will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative gait data will be collected using accelerometers, with two sensors allocated to each participants foot/shoe. This system has previously been used to quantify gait patterns. Qualitative data will be collected through self-reported records. By linking spatiotemporal gait parameters with self-reported accident and near-miss data, this study will provide new insights into the relationship between objective and subjective safety outcomes. In addition, it is crucial to identify potential barriers and challenges experienced both by employees using slip-resistant footwear and by procurement decision-makers responsible for footwear acquisition. To address this, focus group interviews and surveys will be conducted among study participants as well as procurement staff at Arla in Taulov.
A power calculation estimated the required sample size at 28 participants, based on an expected α of 0.05, β of 0.20, and an effect size of 0.25. Allowing for an anticipated dropout rate of 20%, the recruitment target is set at 34 participants (17 in each study arm). Considering the number of employees working in slippery zones, it was decided that only a cross-over design will enable to recruit a sufficient number of participants. Employees at Arla's Taulov dairy will be recruited and randomized (1:1) to either start working with one pair of safety shoes while the other half will start with the other pair of safety shoes using a computer-generated minimization sequence, ensuring balance between groups in terms of sex, age, and prior fall history.
Quantitative and qualitative data will be presented descriptively. Following a thematic analysis approach, outcomes such as comfort, gait patterns, perceived safety, fall/near-fall experiences, and economic considerations (e.g., purchase costs) will be displayed in a structured format that provides an overview of participants' experiences of the intervention as well as perceived barriers and benefits. To evaluate changes over time, quantitative outcomes will be analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Multiple imputation will be used to handle potential missing data, and differences between groups will be further assessed using post-hoc tests.
- Conditions
- Slips, Falls Prevention, Perceived Slipperiness
- Being tested
- Environment specific safety footwear
- Keywords
- occupational slips, sllips trips and falls, footwear, friction, ergonomics
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Environment specific safety footwearDevice
The participants will wear two different safety shoes (SIKA Highline and AIRTOX FW44) in the test periode (20 working days). 10 working days in each safety shoes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sika shoe | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Environment specific safety footwear |
| Airtox shoe | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Device: Environment specific safety footwear |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Self-reported feel of slipperines
Self-rated feel of slipperiness. "To what extent did you feel the need to walk carefully today?" Rated on a continuous VAS scale (not slippey to the right and slippery to the left). Less slippery towards right and most slippery towards left. Hence, towards right is better. These are obtained with daily questionaries.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Secondary outcomes (3)
Spatiotemporal gait characteristics
Step length will be obtained using accelerometers positioned on the participants' shoes. This will be measured in meters.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Slipping without falling
"Did you experience a slip today without falling?" These are obtained with daily questionaries. Yes/No
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Slipping and falling
"Did you experience a slip today resulting in a fall?" These are obtained with daily questionaries. Yes/No
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Dec 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion10 Dec 2025
- Study completion10 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for SlipsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- All participants will complete two test sessions: 1) 10 working days in one pair of safety shoes followed by 2) 10 working days in another pair of safety shoes. Participants are randomized to start with one pair or the other. Participants will be instructed to resume their normal working routine throughout the study period. All participants will fill out questionnaires every day for the 20 days of testing
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Aalborg University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Herning Hospital, Sika footwear, billigarbejdstøoj.dk, Arla Foods
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Lasse Jakobsen, Aalborg University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07280988
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20235100802
- Acronym
- SRFDI
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 27 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Redfern MS, Cham R, Gielo-Perczak K, Gronqvist R, Hirvonen M, Lanshammar H, Marpet M, Pai CY, Powers C. Biomechanics of slips. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1138-66. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085547.
PubMed 11794762Chang WR, Gronqvist R, Leclercq S, Myung R, Makkonen L, Strandberg L, Brungraber RJ, Mattke U, Thorpe SC. The role of friction in the measurement of slipperiness, Part 1: friction mechanisms and definition of test conditions. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1217-32. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085574.
PubMed 11794765ASTM International, "Standard Specification for Performance Requirements when Evaluating Slip Resistance of Protective (Safety) Footwear using ASTM F2913 Whole Shoe Test Method.
L. Strandberg and H. Lanshammar, "The dynamics of slipping accidents," J. Occup. Accid., vol. 3, pp. 153-162, 1981,
Hanson JP, Redfern MS, Mazumdar M. Predicting slips and falls considering required and available friction. Ergonomics. 1999 Dec;42(12):1619-33. doi: 10.1080/001401399184712.
PubMed 10643404Gronqvist R, Chang WR, Courtney TK, Leamon TB, Redfern MS, Strandberg L. Measurement of slipperiness: fundamental concepts and definitions. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1102-17. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085529.
PubMed 11794760GBD 2021 Causes of Death Collaborators. Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2024 May 18;403(10440):2100-2132. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00367-2. Epub 2024 Apr 3.
PubMed 38582094Sundhedsstyrelsen, "Sygdomsbyrden i Danmark, Ulykker, Selvskade og Selvmord 2016," Copenhagen S, 2016.
Beskæftigelsesministeriet, "Et nyt og forbedret arbejdsmiljø - Bilagsrapport, Bind 1," 2018.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Environment Specific Slip Resistant Footwear - A Randomized Cross-Over Study From Danish Dairy Industry
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07280988
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SRFDI / 20235100802
- Conditions
- Slips, Falls Prevention, Perceived Slipperiness
- Keywords
- occupational slips, sllips trips and falls, footwear, friction, ergonomics
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Aalborg UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Herning Hospital, Sika footwear, billigarbejdstøoj.dk, Arla Foods
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In the dairy industry, same-level falls are a major problem and a well-known challenge. At Arla's dairy in Taulov, where this RCT study is being carried out, reports of risk observations, near incidents, and workplace accidents have increased over the past five years. Accident statistics further show that same-level falls are the most common incidents, with slippery floors and surfaces being by far the main cause of both near incidents and risk observations. Because of this, it is necessary to test different types of safety footwear that, based on laboratory studies, are considered particularly suitable for the working environment in a dairy.
it is hypothesized that employees, through subjective questionnaires, will rate one shoe as less slippery than the other. At the same time, it is hypothesized that employees will also subjectively find one shoe more comfortable than the other.
Detailed description
Slipping, tripping, and falling (STF) are the second most common risk factor for serious occupational accidents in Denmark, accounting for 18.9% of the cases. In fact, general fall accidents in 2016 were estimated to cause annual additional costs of 3.9 billion DKK due to lost productivity, and a further 4.8 billion DKK in healthcare and long-term care expenses. Similar numbers are observed in the United States, where STF is likewise reported as the second most common cause of workplace accidents. The primary cause of STF incidents is often insufficient friction between footwear and walking surfaces. In response to this issue, ASTM International in 2021 raised the minimum threshold for certified slip-resistant footwear, making it even more challenging for manufacturers to meet test requirements. Although recent years have brought advances in the understanding of mechanisms leading to STF events-particularly slipping-there is still insufficient research translating this knowledge into practical preventive measures. Data from the Danish Working Environment Authority confirm this gap, showing that reported STF accidents increased between 2016 and 2021. Moreover, the actual number of near incidents is likely even higher, as many are never formally registered. Implementing existing prevention knowledge into effective, practical interventions remains a key challenge. Analysis of gait patterns has been suggested as a way to better understand changes in walking stability, thereby enabling quantification of near-incidents occurrences.
This RCT study will, for the first time, combine multiple measurement parameters, including reported falls, near incidents, risk situations, perceived slip resistance, and gait characteristics (e.g., step length, cadence). These outcomes will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative gait data will be collected using accelerometers, with two sensors allocated to each participants foot/shoe. This system has previously been used to quantify gait patterns. Qualitative data will be collected through self-reported records. By linking spatiotemporal gait parameters with self-reported accident and near-miss data, this study will provide new insights into the relationship between objective and subjective safety outcomes. In addition, it is crucial to identify potential barriers and challenges experienced both by employees using slip-resistant footwear and by procurement decision-makers responsible for footwear acquisition. To address this, focus group interviews and surveys will be conducted among study participants as well as procurement staff at Arla in Taulov.
A power calculation estimated the required sample size at 28 participants, based on an expected α of 0.05, β of 0.20, and an effect size of 0.25. Allowing for an anticipated dropout rate of 20%, the recruitment target is set at 34 participants (17 in each study arm). Considering the number of employees working in slippery zones, it was decided that only a cross-over design will enable to recruit a sufficient number of participants. Employees at Arla's Taulov dairy will be recruited and randomized (1:1) to either start working with one pair of safety shoes while the other half will start with the other pair of safety shoes using a computer-generated minimization sequence, ensuring balance between groups in terms of sex, age, and prior fall history.
Quantitative and qualitative data will be presented descriptively. Following a thematic analysis approach, outcomes such as comfort, gait patterns, perceived safety, fall/near-fall experiences, and economic considerations (e.g., purchase costs) will be displayed in a structured format that provides an overview of participants' experiences of the intervention as well as perceived barriers and benefits. To evaluate changes over time, quantitative outcomes will be analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Multiple imputation will be used to handle potential missing data, and differences between groups will be further assessed using post-hoc tests.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- All participants will complete two test sessions: 1) 10 working days in one pair of safety shoes followed by 2) 10 working days in another pair of safety shoes. Participants are randomized to start with one pair or the other. Participants will be instructed to resume their normal working routine throughout the study period. All participants will fill out questionnaires every day for the 20 days of testing
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sika shoe | Experimental | Device: Environment specific safety footwear |
| Airtox shoe | Active comparator | Device: Environment specific safety footwear |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Full-time employed at Arla Taulov dairy facility.
- No major injuries affecting their daily work.
- No plans of retiring before the end of the study period.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Surgery in the feet and under extremity within the last three months. Pregnancy.
- Part-time workers.
- Neurological disorders affecting gait.
- Can read and understand Danish
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Environment specific safety footwearThe participants will wear two different safety shoes (SIKA Highline and AIRTOX FW44) in the test periode (20 working days). 10 working days in each safety shoes. | Device | Airtox shoe, Sika shoe |
Primary outcome
Self-reported feel of slipperines
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Self-rated feel of slipperiness. "To what extent did you feel the need to walk carefully today?" Rated on a continuous VAS scale (not slippey to the right and slippery to the left). Less slippery towards right and most slippery towards left. Hence, towards right is better. These are obtained with daily questionaries.
3 secondary outcomes
Spatiotemporal gait characteristics
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Slipping without falling
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Slipping and falling
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 11794762Redfern MS, Cham R, Gielo-Perczak K, Gronqvist R, Hirvonen M, Lanshammar H, Marpet M, Pai CY, Powers C. Biomechanics of slips. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1138-66. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085547.
- Background: PubMed 11794765Chang WR, Gronqvist R, Leclercq S, Myung R, Makkonen L, Strandberg L, Brungraber RJ, Mattke U, Thorpe SC. The role of friction in the measurement of slipperiness, Part 1: friction mechanisms and definition of test conditions. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1217-32. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085574.
- BackgroundASTM International, "Standard Specification for Performance Requirements when Evaluating Slip Resistance of Protective (Safety) Footwear using ASTM F2913 Whole Shoe Test Method.
- BackgroundL. Strandberg and H. Lanshammar, "The dynamics of slipping accidents," J. Occup. Accid., vol. 3, pp. 153-162, 1981,
- Background: PubMed 10643404Hanson JP, Redfern MS, Mazumdar M. Predicting slips and falls considering required and available friction. Ergonomics. 1999 Dec;42(12):1619-33. doi: 10.1080/001401399184712.
- Background: PubMed 11794760Gronqvist R, Chang WR, Courtney TK, Leamon TB, Redfern MS, Strandberg L. Measurement of slipperiness: fundamental concepts and definitions. Ergonomics. 2001 Oct 20;44(13):1102-17. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085529.
- Background: PubMed 38582094GBD 2021 Causes of Death Collaborators. Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2024 May 18;403(10440):2100-2132. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00367-2. Epub 2024 Apr 3.
- BackgroundSundhedsstyrelsen, "Sygdomsbyrden i Danmark, Ulykker, Selvskade og Selvmord 2016," Copenhagen S, 2016.
- BackgroundBeskæftigelsesministeriet, "Et nyt og forbedret arbejdsmiljø - Bilagsrapport, Bind 1," 2018.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Environment specific safety footwear in people with Slips and Falls Prevention, run by Aalborg University at 1 site in Denmark.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Self-reported feel of slipperines (time frame: Through study completion, an average of 20 working days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07280988, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Oct 2026.