Slips, Trips and Falls

Why is Fall Protection Required  A fall from only 2 feet can harm your brain to the extent that it affects your ability to see, think, walk or talk.  A fall from 3’10” at only 11 mph can cause fatal brain damage.

Why is Fall Protection Required Another study indicated that 50% of all fall victims impacting against a hard surface with a velocity of 18 mph (27’/second) will be killed. This is equivalent to a fall of about 11 feet

Why is Fall Protection Required  Terminal Velocity: 120 – 200 mph  Head trauma only takes 50 pounds of force  Watermelon Demonstration  Watch out in the front row!

Why is Fall Protection Required  30% of all occupational fatalities are from falls  10% has fall protection on when they hit, but were not using it

Why is Fall Protection Required  Annually, 300,000 disabling injuries from falls  2 nd highest cause of death at work

When is Fall Protection Required  6 foot or more  Unprotected sides  Holes, pits, trenches  Ramps, walkways

When is Fall Protection Required  Holes  Covered to prevent falling through  Cover must say “Hole” or “Cover”  Secured to prevent movement  Support twice weight of workers, equipment and materials

When is Fall Protection Required  Skylights  Wall openings  6’ drop  39” or less wall (example: parapet wall)  Boom-supported Personnel Lifts  Over-reaching  Bouncing out  Not to adjacent structures

Guardrails  Tops rails shall be 42 inches (+/- 3 inches) from the walking surface  Mid-rails installed midway between the top-rail and surface  Toe boards shall be a minimum of 4 inches  Shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds downward and outward

Personal Fall Arrest Systems  Full-body harness  Shock-absorbing lanyard  Attachment point

Slip & Fall Prevention Training

Fall Factors Friction Friction Momentum Momentum Gravity Gravity 1a

What happens when you slip Loss of balance caused by too little friction Loss of balance caused by too little friction Loss of traction Loss of traction Wet surfaces Wet surfaces Spills Spills 2a

Weather hazards Weather hazards Potential solutions Potential solutions practice safe walking skillspractice safe walking skills clean up spillsclean up spills keep grease off shop floorskeep grease off shop floors be cautious on smooth surfacesbe cautious on smooth surfaces 2b What happens when you slip

Preventing slips Use appropriate footwear Use appropriate footwear Increase friction between shoes and walking surface Increase friction between shoes and walking surface 3a

Why trips occur When a person trips: When a person trips: worker’s foot hits an objectworker’s foot hits an object balance is thrown offbalance is thrown off creates momentum to fallcreates momentum to fall 4a

Why trips occur Cluttered work areas Cluttered work areas Poor lighting Poor lighting Area has loose footing Area has loose footing 4b

Why trips occur Person is in a hurry Person is in a hurry Person is inattentive Person is inattentive 4c

Preventing Slips What NOT to wear What NOT to wear Slick, smooth- surfaced solesSlick, smooth- surfaced soles Hi –heeled shoes (minimal sole to ground contact)Hi –heeled shoes (minimal sole to ground contact) Shoes not anchored to the foot: flip- flops, sandals, etc.Shoes not anchored to the foot: flip- flops, sandals, etc.

Preventing trips Keep furniture out of walkways/traffic areas Keep furniture out of walkways/traffic areas Tape down extension cords/ keep out of walkways Tape down extension cords/ keep out of walkways 5b

Preventing falls Don’t jump from elevations Don’t jump from elevations docksdocks truckstrucks platformsplatforms Ensure adequate lighting Ensure adequate lighting 6b

Preventing falls Repair or report loose or broken stairs, handrails Repair or report loose or broken stairs, handrails Don’t use stairs/ aisles as storage areas Don’t use stairs/ aisles as storage areas 6c

Ladder Safety

Major Causes of Accidents Not tied off or secured Not tied off or secured Slippery surfaces Slippery surfaces Worker failed to hold on to ladder Worker failed to hold on to ladder Leaning out too far Leaning out too far Leaning out too far Leaning out too far

Major Causes of Accidents Ladder on unstable surface Ladder on unstable surface Defective or damaged ladder Defective or damaged ladder Electrical contact Electrical contact

General Rules Ladders should extend 3’ above landing Ladders should extend 3’ above landing Ladders should not be moved with someone on it Ladders should not be moved with someone on it Inspected periodically and before use Inspected periodically and before use Tag ladders “Do Not Use” Tag ladders “Do Not Use”

Ladders Never Over-Reach on Ladders When working off of a step ladder - always maintain a 3-point contact position Rule of thumb: The center of the body should never extend out past the outside rail of the ladder Inadequate Footing Insecure Ladder Over Reaching

Ladders Rule of thumb - For proper ladder set-up Caution Set-up ladder properly to reduce slip and overload hazards Secure Locks 1. Place toes against bottom of ladder side-rails 2. Stand erect 3. Extend arms straight out 4. Palms of hands should touch top of rung at shoulder level

QVC Video QVC Video

Resources American Ladder Institute American Ladder Institute Flash Drive Flash Drive Snow Logs Ladder Inspection form (mParks Resource Center – cecenter cecenter