Implementing a Slip & Fall Prevention Program This program should be used in conjunction with the slips and falls video and the slips and falls prevention program

Objectives Understand the impact of slips and falls in community and health care Understand the factors that causes slip and fall and the importance of preventing them Develop appropriate programs for slip and fall prevention Determine control methods to prevent slips and falls.

Sharing Responsibility Employer provide, maintain and ensure equipment is provided Provide information, instruction & supervision to protect worker Do everything reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers Supervisors Ensure workers uses/wears equipment/PPE properly Do everything reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers Workers Use equipment, report hazards and work safely What laws apply? Occupational Health and Safety Act does not specifically address falls however, the Act imposes requirements on employers s.25 & 26, supervisors s.27 and workers s.28. Employers are responsible for setting up the system – building, processes and equipment- and being aware of the hazards that go with the system, including falls. The are required to inform everyone of the hazards and how to control them and to do everything reasonable under the circumstances in designing, and operating control systems and making sure they work. Supervisors are to ensure that workers use and operate properly the control systems in that employer has set up, as well as do everything reasonable to prevent injury. Workers must follow the rules and systems established, and report problems or situations where controls will not work to their employer or supervisor. Worker must not use any equipment that is not in working order. Under the Health Care and Residential Facilities Regulation, which applies in many health care workplaces, slip and fall hazards are addressed in the following sections: Sec. 33-41: Work surfaces Sec. 13(1), (2) and (3): Working at heights over three metres Sec. 80-84: Ladders Sec. 111-116: Housekeeping In workplace settings that are not covered under the Health Care and Residential Facilities Regulation – such as offices and child care centres – the Industrial Establishments Regulation applies. Hazards related to slips and falls are addressed in the following Sections of that Regulation: Sec. 11: Working surfaces and housekeeping Sec. 13 and 14: Guardrails Sec. 18, 19 and 73: Ladders, stairs Sec. 85 and 86: Working at heights over three metres

Type of Lost Time Accidents in the Health Care & Community Services Sector, 2004 Accidents from slips and falls can cause serious injury and result in significant lost time. The potential for permanent injury and long-term suffering by employees, as well as high compensation costs, can negatively affect your organization’s bottom line. Injuries may include cuts, bruises, muscle sprains and strains and fractures, and even fatalities. Clearly, the costs associated with worker absence due to slips and falls at work have a detrimental effect on budgets. Slips and falls account for 17% of all workplace injuries in the community and health care sector Data Source: WSIB Firm Experience Snapshot Period: September 2005

Slip & Fall Accidents Costs DIRECT COSTS ~$4000/claim ~4 weeks of lost time Replacement worker Replacement or repair of damaged property Work accommodation for injured worker MOL charges/fines INDIRECT COSTS Interruption or loss of service to client Reduction in client care Reduction in employee morale Time spent in accident investigation, MOL orders Increased workload on staff 4 times direct cost Direct and indirect cost Costs are high both human and financial terms. All injuries impact WSIB surcharge or rebates (NEER, MAP). Other costs include replacement worker cost, repairs to equipment, administrative time etc.

Factors affecting Slips and Falls Walking Surfaces Surface contaminants and cleaning methods Footwear Work environment behaviour

RACE Recognize Assess Control Evaluate A hazard is defined as a practice, behaviour, condition or situation that can contribute to and/or result in injury, illness or property damage. If a hazard is not properly identified or controlled, it has the potential to cause lost time, critical injuries and even fatality. The potential for a slip and fall will be influenced by walking and working surfaces, actions of people, type of footwear, contamination and cleaning methods, and the work environment. RACE Exercise

Assessment Tools Observations and reported worker concerns Incident and injury data Workplace inspection reports Accident investigation reports WSIB records Sector specific information Laws & Standards Manufacturer’s recommendations Company policies and procedures Staff information e.g. surveys JHSC & Mgt. Inspections, observations

Some hazards can be assessed without the need for a risk assessment Assess Slips and Falls Some hazards can be assessed without the need for a risk assessment Consider the following: Is there a problem? How bad is it? Where do I start? What do I do about it?

Control Slip & Fall Hazards At the source: Elimination, substitution, isolation Along the path Between the hazard and the worker At the worker Personal Protective Equipment This is a critical step that can determine the success or failure of the entire hazard management program. If the controls implemented are not appropriate or if they do not eliminate the risks, injuries and/or illness will result. Use risk identification and control strategies tool to determine appropriate controls

Evaluate Slips and Falls Highlight the need for training in certain areas Provide insight as to why accidents are occurring in particular areas-identify root cause Establish priorities for corrective action Assist in establishing or improving safe work practices Indicate processes, procedures, equipment that may require more in depth hazard analysis

Group Exercise RACE Exercise

Program Development Develop policies and procedures Communicate information to staff, visitors Implement education/training Build in an annual review Promote, encourage and support workers and JHSC

Secure Mgmt. Commitment Management commitment is: The foundation of an effective program Ensure resources are available to develop, implement and maintain the program (budget, human resources, materials, equipment, training, etc.)

Policies and Procedures Walking and working surfaces Lighting Cleaning practices Ladders Footwear Flooring Office/administrative Shower/bathroom Dietary and laundry Entrance/hallways Parking/outdoor Community

Training Safe work practices, e.g. housekeeping, clean up procedures Hazard and incident reporting Department specific rules Selection, fit, use and care of protective equipment Keep content current, create a positive learning environment and train on all a shift

Consequences of slip and fall hazards Video Slips and falls : not a trivial affair