Slip Simulator™ Statistics Discussion
The 2012 study conducted by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) entitled “Statistical Impact of Slip Simulator Training at Los Alamos National Laboratory” (LA-UR-12-24572, can be downloaded below) followed the injury outcomes of a large segment of the LANL population that underwent Slip Simulator™ training. The fall injury ratio, that is the number of reported falls per the group population, was reported for four groups:
· A group that directly participated in Slip Simulator™ training, who physically got on the Slip Simulator™ (labeled Participant),
· A group that observed the Slip Simulator™ training, but did not physically get on the Slip Simulator™ (labeled Observer),
· A control group that did not observe nor participate in Slip Simulator™ training (labeled No Slips Class),
· A combined group that was involved in the Slip Simulator™ class as either a Participant or Observer (essentially lumping the first two mentioned groups together, labeled Slips Class).
There was a total of 1,449 individuals who directly participated in the Slip Simulator™ training (Participant), 1,885 individuals who observed the Slip Simulator™ training (Observer), and 7,666 individuals who did not observe nor participate in the Slip Simulator™ training (No Slips Class). The resulting fall injury statistics for each group are shown below in the figures pulled from the study. Table 1 addresses all individuals who either observed or directly participated in the Slip Simulator™ training (Slips Class) as compared to those who did not participate (No Slips Class). Let’s come back to this table later.
Observers Only (Table 2)
Table 2 shows the number of falls for observers of the Slip Simulator™ training (Observer) in comparison to the number of falls for individuals who did not participate in the Slip Simulator™ training at all (No Slips Class). For the observer population, the fall ratio (number of falls / population) was determined to be 0.011, and the fall ratio for the population who did not participate in any Slip Simulator™ classes was 0.018. To determine the reduction in falls that can be attributed to observing the Slip Simulator™ class, one would use the following equation:
Using the reported rates as stated above, the fall reduction % for the group who observed the training as compared to the group who did not participate at all would be 38.9%.
The group who only observed the Slip SimulatorTM class experienced a 38.9% reduction in fall injuries. We typically state a 30% reduction to be conservative.
Participants Only (Table 3)
Table 3 shows the number of falls for participants of the Slip Simulator™ training (Participant) and the same information regarding Observers. The calculated fall ratio of the participant group was 0.005. Using the following equation, the reduction in fall injuries can be calculated as compared to the total population who did not participate (No Slips Class):
Using the reported rates as stated above, the fall reduction % for the group who directly participated in the training as compared to the group who did not participate at all would be 72.2%.
The group who directly participated in the Slip SimulatorTM class experienced a 72.2% reduction in fall injuries. We typically state a 70% reduction to be conservative.
Slips Class versus No Slips Class (Table 1)
Table 1 essentially lumps the statistics for the individuals who directly participated and those who observed the Slip Simulator™ training into the Slips Class group and compares those results against the group who did not participate in or observe the Slip Simulator™ training (No Slips Class). Using the similar equations stated above, the reduction in fall injuries for the Slips Class group is calculated to be 55.6%. Of the total population lumped into the Slips Class group, approximately 43% of people in the Slip Simulator™ class directly participated (got on) the Slip Simulator™. This is about what we typically see in a normal training class, perhaps 4-5 people out of a 10-person class typically get on the Slip Simulator™.
The overall aggregate fall reduction rate shown in the study of 55.6% is commensurate with what we see in industry (typically 50-70% reduction in STF injuries), where about 40-50% of the people in the class actually get on the Slip Simulator™ while the rest observe. This study shows the effectiveness of the Slip Simulator™ training, even for participants who just observe. It also forces the point that the more people that directly participate and get on the Slip Simulator™, the better chance there will be to lower the overall fall injury rate in that population.
