Slips, Trips, and Falls Public enemy number one

Has this every happened to you?

What this presentation covers Ways to prevent slips, trips, and falls: Statistics Definitions Designing the workplace and work processes Good housekeeping; maintaining clear pathways Safe walking practices Wearing proper footwear Falling “properly”

Slips, Trips, & Falls Statistics According to OSHA, STF’s, cause 15% of all accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicles. Nationally 10% of all injuries are caused by slips, trips, and falls. More than a million people suffer from a slip, trip, or falling injury each year. Over 11,000 people die as a result of falls alone. 15 – 20 percent of workers’ compensation claims

Slips Common Causes: Wet or oily surfaces Occasional spills Slip – Loss of balance caused by too little friction between a person’s foot and a walking surface. Common Causes: Wet or oily surfaces Occasional spills Weather hazards Loose, unanchored rugs or mats

Trips Trip – hit an object, lose your balance and fall Common causes: Obstructed view Poor lighting Clutter in your way Uncovered cables Drawers not being closed Uneven walking surfaces

Falls Fall – when you lose your balance & drop to the floor Three types of falls: Falls on the same level - Slip or trip immediately precedes fall to floor or walkway Falls to lower level - Falls are from platforms, docks, ladders, steps or stairs Jumps to lower level - An intentional jump from one level to another - Employee jumps off ladder, dock, equipment

Slips, Trips, and Falls Are Preventable! Ways to prevent slips, trips, and falls: Design the workplace and work processes to prevent potential exposures to slip and trip hazards. Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter; follow good housekeeping procedures. Follow safe walking practices. Wear proper footwear with good traction.

Workplace/Work Process Design Have adequate ventilation to avoid smoke, steam, and condensation of water and grease onto floor. Provide adequate lighting to keep work areas, aisles, and paths of travel well lit.

Workplace/Work Process Design Mark/highlight step edges and transition areas (changes in elevations). Use anti-skid paint. Step edges are highlighted for better visibility to prevent a misstep and fall down the stairs. Confusing the bottom step with the floor is a common occurrence when it’s not marked. No missing the last step here. Make sure stairs have sufficient lighting and hand rails.

Workplace/Work Process Design Apply slip-resistant coating, treatment, strips, etc. Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note highlighted edges for better visibility to prevent walking off ramp and falling. Slip-resistant strips on steps

Workplace/Work Process Design Use slip-/skid- resistant matting. Skid-resistant, anti-fatigue mats in kitchen and food preparation areas. Worker is also wearing slip-resistant shoes.

Workplace/Work Process Design Highlight or mark slip and trip hazards for better visibility. Wheelchair accessible curb leading to building entrance is highlighted and the surface is dimpled for better visibility and traction.

Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping Keep walkways, aisles, and stairs clear of materials, equipment, and other hazards. Cover or secure (or suspend overhead on construction sites) cables, cords, wires, and hoses away from walkways and other paths of travel. Make sure rugs or mats are flat and not bunched up. Housekeeping Pathway is clearly marked and free of obstructions.

Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping Securely fasten unanchored loose rugs or mats with skid- resistant backing and carpet tape. Close desk, cabinet, and file drawers and doors immediately after each use. Keep the floor around work spaces free of boxes, cords, cables, materials, and other objects. Organized and tidy work space

Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping Floor/Work Surface Care Keep floors clean and free of water, mud, grease, debris, etc, and damage. Clean spills immediately. Mop or sweep up any debris. Cone or block off area until surface is completely dry or repaired before allowing people to walk through the area. Note: When mopping, avoid spreading the spillage and thus increasing the area of contamination.

Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping Clean surfaces according to recommended schedules. Follow cleaning and drying methods and procedures, using appropriate cleaning products. Use an adequate number of highly visible wet floor signs or cones. Remove signs and cones when area is dry.

Safe Walking Practices Pay attention to your surroundings. Look where you are going when you walk. Watch for slip and trip hazards in your work area and wherever you walk. Walk, don’t run or rush. Give yourself enough time. Do not engage in activities that distract your attention. Do not read, write, or work while you are walking. Use the handrails when climbing or descending the stairs. Do not rush and skip steps. An injury in the making. What might have happened here?

Safe Walking Practices Walk carefully and slowly when you transition from one type of walking surface to another. Adjust your walking (pace, stride). Take extra care when you come indoors with wet shoes or boots.

Safe Walking Practices Slow down and take small careful steps if the surface is uneven, cluttered, slippery or at an angle. Wear stable shoes with non-slip soles. Yes No

Safe Walking Practices If you must walk on a slippery or wet surface, do the following: Wear high traction footwear Take short, slow steps Pay attention to the surface you are walking on Use rails or other stable objects you can hold onto

Steel-toed safety boots with oil-resistant soles Wearing Proper Shoes Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles or traction devices when walking or working on surfaces that are wet, greasy, icy, or other-wise slick (e.g., in kitchen areas, performing custodial work). No footwear has anti-slip properties for every condition so make sure that the proper type of footwear is selected for the work conditions and for the type of flooring or walking/working surface. Slip-resistant traction devices for snow and ice that fit over the soles Steel-toed safety boots with oil-resistant soles

Falling ‘Properly’ If you do fall, you can reduce the chance of serious injury if you: Roll with the fall; don’t reach out. Let your body crumple and roll. Bend your elbows and knees and use your legs and arms to absorb the fall. Get medical attention after a fall to treat anything torn, sprained, or broken.

Resources National Floor Safety Institute http://www.nfsi.org/ American National Standards Institute http://www.ansi.org/ OSHA http://www.osha.gov Key Risk Management http://www.keyrisk.com Parlay International http://www.parlay.com

William Rivenbark – PCS Safety Coordinator – 910-540-6983 Thank you for taking the time to learn about slips, trips, and falls, and how to prevent future injuries. William Rivenbark – PCS Safety Coordinator – 910-540-6983