Slips, Trips & Falls

Objectives Identify what causes falls Identify preventative actions Commit to action

OSHA Case #1 Slip Leads to Infection & Death Janitor slips in kitchen of hotel Breaks rib and punctures lung Becomes infected with pneumonia Dies from infection OSHA case – 5/11/95

OSHA Case #2 Slip Causes Head Injury & Death Employee slips on liquid spill in warehouse Struck head on floor Had emergency brain operation Died from heart failure OSHA case – 2/24/97

OSHA Case #3 Fall on Stairs Causes Death Office employee tripped/slipped on stair Fell down stairs and landed with her head in the sheetrock wall Died from skull fracture, cerebral contusion, and subdural hemotoma OSHA case – 2/9/95

OSHA Case #4 Employee Breaks Hip in Fall from Table Housekeeper stands on table to reach light fixture Table tipped causing employee to fall Table landed on hip Employee broke hip OSHA Case – 4/6/95

Slips, Trips & Falls at PLU 46% of reported injuries at PLU (so far in 2000) are slips, trips, and falls. Most of these slip, trip, fall injuries (59%) occurred on flat surfaces, usually caused by liquid spills. Others were falls on stairs and trips over obstructions.

PLU Case #1 Limited Vision Contributes to Fall 10/17/00 Employee carried high stacked material blocking vision Cart blocked pathway Employee tripped and fell

PLU Case #2 Slip Leads to Broken Window & Injured Knee 6/8/00 Employee slipped on stairs and fell down stairs Window at base of stair broke fall Injury required medical treatment

PLU Case #3 Congestion Creates Hazard Employee tripped on heel of another employee in congested work space Fell to ground Aggravated pre-existing medical condition

Group Activity Brainstorm specific causes of slips, trips and falls in our work areas. Brainstorm actions one can take to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

Independent Activity Select one activity that you can control and will personally take responsibility for doing in the next week to reduce slips, trips and falls in your work place. Write it down. Select one activity that you will propose to your supervisor or other PLU entity to reduce slips, trips and falls in your work place. Write it down.

Summary Most Accidents at PLU are slips, trips, or falls. While most falls cause minor injuries, people have been hospitalized or died from falls. We can all reduce injuries by eliminating hazards in our work environment.