JOIN US IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA!

The 2026 Slips, Trips, and Falls (STF) International Conference will be hosted by The University of Alabama in Huntsville on June 16-18, 2026!
Visit the 2026 Conference Website

Keynote Speaker – Dr. Robinovitch

A Keynote Speaker for the 2026 Slips, Trips, and Falls International Conference is Dr. Stephen Robinovitch from Simon Fraser University.

Dr. Robinovitch‘s work in the Injury Prevention and Mobility Laboratory focuses on understanding the causes and prevention of injuries. In this capacity, his research group has utilized video capture and wearable sensors to generate real-life data for exploring the complex interactions between physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence risk of injury.

Become a sponsor or exhibitor for 2026 STF

Join us for an opportunity to position your organization as a valued partner in fall prevention by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor.
2026 STF Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus

Abstract submissions are now open

Abstract submissions are now open for the 2026 Slips, Trips, and Falls International Conference.

Important Dates:

Abstract submission due: January 31, 2026

Notification of decision: March 1, 2026
2026 STF Abstract Submissions

Volunteer to review abstracts

We are seeking volunteers to review abstract submissions for the 2026 STF Conference. Submit your interest to assist below.
Volunteer to review abstract submissions

Register for 2026 STF

We look forward to welcoming you to Huntsville!
Register for 2026 STF Conference

2026 STF Conference E-Newsletter
Want to sign-up for email newsletter for the 2026 STF Conference?

Questions about the 2026 STF conference? Reply directly to this email or contact the Harper Lab (harperlab@uah.edu)

A New Look at Slips, Trips & Falls: A Systems Approach to a Stubborn Risk

Why do slips, trips, and falls continue to happen—even when people are trained, signs are posted, and procedures are in place?

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking webinar that flips the script on STFs. We’ll explore how systems thinking and Human Factors can reveal the why behind everyday performance—and stubborn risks like STF – especially when it doesn’t go as planned.

When: 27th June 10am – 11am AEST

Register for the STF PD

Maastricht workshop: Accelerating the Use of Appropriate Accelerated Wear Conditioning Protocols

The International Ergonomics Association Slips, Trips and Falls Technical Commitee is holding an in-person Workshop “Accelerating the Use of Appropriate Accelerated Wear Conditioning (AWC)
Protocols” at the Van der Valk Hotel in Maastricht, Netherlands, on Tuesday, 1 July 2025.

Key topics include:
Updates to Australian and CEN standards
Research insights from FGK, Safe Environments, Trinity College Dublin & more
Emerging AWC tools and ethical implications of outdated methods
This is a rare chance to shape smarter, safer surface standards through collaboration and evidence. Contact Richard Bowman to join — participants will receive background materials ahead of the session. 80 euros including lunch and parking.

Maastricht workshop summary

Updates on STF Conferences & ISPGR 2025

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to share updates on our STF Technical Committee’s efforts to organize upcoming conferences!

🚀 STF 2026 in Huntsville, USA – Mark your calendars for June 2026! Planning is well underway, and we will be sharing more details soon. Stay tuned!

🌍 STF at ISPGR 2025 in Maastricht – If you’re planning to attend the ISPGR World Congress (June 29 – July 3, 2025), we would love to connect! Our TC is exploring the possibility of organizing an STF get-together during the event. If you’re interested, please reach out to me (yue.li@uhn.ca) or Takeshi (takeshi.yamaguchi.c8@tohoku.ac.jp)  so we can gauge attendance and plan accordingly.

📢 Opportunity to Submit to ISPGR 2025 – If you haven’t yet looked into ISPGR 2025, we encourage you to consider submitting a late-breaking poster abstract! Submissions will be open from April 10 – April 24, 2025, and as an STF member, you’ll need to become a reciprocal member of ISPGR to submit. I will provide detailed instructions on how to do this in April.

💡 Exclusive Benefit: Any STF member with an accepted submission will be eligible to register at the discounted early member rate—a great opportunity to showcase your work and save on registration!

If you’re interested in submitting a late-breaking abstract, please reach out to me as soon as possible so I can ensure you have all the necessary details when the submission window opens.

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Maastricht!

Best regards,

Sophia & Takeshi

Co-Chairs, Slips, Trips, and Falls Technical Committee

Join Us for an Exclusive Insight into Canada Post’s Innovations in Preventing Workplace Injuries!

Dear STF Members,

 

We invite you to an insightful session highlighting Canada Post’s latest strategy and advancements in reducing slip, trip, and fall (STF) injuries—currently the leading cause of workplace incidents.

Key Highlights:

  • Hands-On Safety Training with the Slip Simulator™: Delivery agents can safely practice navigating challenging surfaces (e.g., curbs, icy slopes) through secure, immersive training.
  • Proven Results: Studies from major organizations, including a U.S. lab, Amazon, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, show a 30-70% reduction in incidents following similar training.
  • Success Story: Hear about Canada Post’s successful 2022 pilot and the rollout of Slip Simulator™ units at their largest delivery agent schools.

Webinar Details:

  • Registration: Free and open to all. Registered participants can engage directly with presenters through a live Q&A.
  • Recording: Available afterward on YouTube for easy access.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how Canada Post is setting new standards in workplace safety training!

Title of presentation:

How do you walk safely? A look into using experiential learning to reduce Slips, Trips and Falls.

Presenter:

Nadia Afara, Health and Safety Manager at Canada Post, Canada

STF Co-Chair:

Sophia (Yue) Li, The KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada

Takeshi Yamaguchi, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan

Date and Time:

Monday, December 2nd, 2024,

9am-10am EST / 2pm-3pm UTC / 11pm-12am JST

Duration: 60 mins

Zoom link for registration: Click here

Registrations for Qualicer 2024 slip resistance sessions

Richard Bowman has curated a flash slip resistance flash session at  Qualicer 2024, the 18th World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality. This will be held from 9.15 to 10.30 (CET) on 5 March 2024.

You can register at https://www.qualicer.org/en/registration/. Instead of transferring 800€ (the complete online attendee fee), simply transfer 25€ (for the flash session). If you would also like access to the slip resistance presentations on 6 March, please transfer 50€. This will include a special invited presentation. The first paper is a continuation of the wear resistance theme, which provides a perfect lead-in to Dori Muñoz’ presentation.

Slip resistance session presentations:

11:30 -12:00 (CET)

EVALUATION OF THE ABRASIVE WEAR OF CERAMIC TILE SURFACES BY ISO 10545 AND UNE 138001 STANDARDS

  1. Demarch(1)(2), A. Waterkemper (1)(2), D. Pasini(1)(2), L. Rosso(1)(2), J. Menegon (1)(2), S. Ruzza (2), E. Angioletto (1), O. R. Klegues (1), A.M. Bernardin(1) (Brazil) (1) PPGCEM – UNESC. (2) Eliane Ceramic Tiles.

12:00 -12:30

ASSESSMENT OF THE DURABILITY OF FLOORING SLIP RESISTANCE

  1. Muñoz, G. Silva, R. Domínguez, A. Salvador, P. Velasco (Spain) ITC – AICE, Universitat Jaume I.

12:30 -13:00

CONTINUED ASSESSMENT OF VARIOUS CERAMIC TILE FLOOR COVERINGS USING DIFFERENT FRICTION TEST METHODS

  1. Davidson (U.S.A.) Tile Council of North America.

13:00 – 14:00 FEATURED SESSION

OF MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS AND OF PEBBLES AND DIVOTS: NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN CHARACTERIZING CERAMIC TILE TOPOGRAPHY USING MULTISCALE METHODS

  1. Beschorner, Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh (U.S.A.)
  2. Pastewka, Professor for Simulation in the Department of Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg (Germany)

A Fall on Stairs: Improving Safety through Augmented Reality

Join the Slips, Trips and Falls Technical Committee for an insightful webinar on enhancing stair safety with augmented reality.

🌈 Discover how an augmented reality system, developed by Professor Miura and his team, utilizes holographic lenses and visual illusions to enhance foot clearance on stairs.

🌐 Learn about the experimental evaluation of the system’s accuracy, model fitting for stripe thickness, and the significant improvement in foot clearance observed during and after system usage.

🏆 Presenter: Professor Satoshi Miura from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Professor Miura is the winner of the Challenging Research Award (Tokyo Tech, 2022), Young Investigation Excellence Award (Robotics Society of Japan, 2022), Ono Azusa Memorial Award (Waseda University, 2016).

Flyer information here.

🖥️Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WgxwmRcaRaWLcP_GjyUk8w

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

📧 For more information, contact Sophia Yue Li, yue.li@uhn.ca

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in stair safety and augmented reality with Professor Satoshi Miura!