Failure analysis of prefinished engineered hardwood flooring after large splinter injury.

Residential wood flooring is available in many forms, including but not limited to solid wood, engineered flooring, and pre-finished variants. The manufacturing processes differ depending on the application and the market that is served. This presentation will address a specific prefinished wood flooring type manufactured from rotary peeled veneer. In this instance, an occupant of the residence in question was walking across their veneer flooring and a 5” sliver embedded lengthwise into their foot causing significant injury. This presentation covers findings from the investigation as well as aspects of the manufacturing process and environmental issues that are believed to have led to the formation of slivers in the flooring and the subsequent injury of the occupant.