Rutherford County Slips, Trips & Falls Fall 2008

Course Outline: Objectives :  Become familiar with hazards of Slips, Trips & Falls  Increase Safety Awareness to all County Employees  Quick 5 Question Quiz for Comprehension

Why The Need?  Slips, Trips & Falls Make up 15% of all Accidental Deaths  Most common cause of Accidental Death at Home (90% of deaths)  58% of disabling injuries occur on falls at the same level

Across the Board Average Worker’s Compensation Cost:  $22,  For medical payments only Average Worker’s Compensation Claim:  $19,000.00

Rutherford County Statistics Slips Trips & Falls ( to ) Rutherford County Board of Education: # of claims: 47 $ paid out thus far: $204, Rutherford County General: # of claims: 15 $ paid out thus far: $63, Totals: $ paid out thus far: $267, potential to pay out: $494,233.86

Solutions to Safety Issues Engineering:  Change the environment to accommodate employees Administration:  Training PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):  Provide employees with materials to perform their jobs in a safe & effective manner

What Happens when you Slip?  Loss of Balance  Loss of Traction  Wet Surfaces  Spills

Reasons for Slipping Weather Hazards :  Rain or Snow  Parking Lots  Sidewalks  Entrances/Exits  Different Surfaces; asphalt to concrete

Solutions to Prevent Slipping  Practice safe working skills  Clean up Spills  Keep grease off all floors  Be cautious on smooth surfaces  Use appropriate footwear  Increase friction between shoes & walking surface

Why Trips Occur…  Cluttered work Areas  Poor Housekeeping  Poor Lighting  Area has loose footing  Employee is in hurry  Inattentive

How to Prevent Trips  Ensure you can see over the load  Ensure adequate lighting  Keep work areas free of clutter & litter  Keep furniture out of walkways/traffic areas  Tape down extension cords & keep out of walkways

How to Prevent Falls  Repair or report loose or broken stairs/handrails  Don’t use stairs/aisles as storage  Wear appropriate footwear  Don’t jump from any elevations:  Docks  Trucks  Work Stages

Summary of Main Points Why Slips Occur…  Friction is not high enough Why Trips Occur…  Foot meets an unexpected object Why Falls Occur…  Center of balance is lost

What YOU can do to Help Engineering = Inspections:  Good Housekeeping must be maintained  Equipment maintenance (floor, tread, stairs, etc.)  Make sure adequate lighting is available  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Administrative Controls:  Increase Awareness (Safety Training)  Institute Good Housekeeping Policies  Report any unsafe conditions immediately

Quiz Click here to take a quick five question quiz.