Higher handrails help reduce falls

Seniors Falls Research

Dr. Komisar’s research identifies the ideal handrail height to reduce falls.

Cluster faculty member Dr. Vicki Komisar’s doctoral research on handrail height and fall risk is being used to develop WorkSafeBC guidelines to prevent fall-related injuries. Though this research, Komisar and her colleague Dr. Novak have demonstrated that higher handrails, between 36 and 42 inches, help people stay upright or regain control of their upper body after a loss of balance. These finding were true for both young and older adults, suggesting that higher handrails are an important way to keep everyone safer on stairs and walkways.

 

Read Full News Article:  UBC Okanagan News

Find the published research here: Human Factors: The Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

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