Injury Prevention Slips, Trips and Falls Massachusetts Retail Merchants Workers’ Compensation Group, Inc. Safety Awareness For Everyone from Cove Risk Services

Injury Prevention You take hundreds of steps every day, but how many of those steps do you take seriously? By taking a few minutes to understand how slips, trips, and falls happen, you can prevent needless and painful injuries.

Slips, Trips And Falls Some Statistics… Falls on the same level were the second leading cause of all workplace injuries Costs associated with slips and falls grow 10% on an annual basis when most workplace injuries experienced a substantial reduction in their rate of growth On average, workers who are injured from a same level slip or fall miss an average of 8 days and 30% of all same level slip or fall miss 21 or more days

Slips, Trips And Falls Definitions Slip: Loss of balance caused by too little friction between a person’s foot and a walking surface Trip: Hit an object, lose your balance and fall Fall: When you lose your balance and lose your footing

PREVENT THEM BY REMEMBERING THE FOLLOWING: Slips, Trips And Falls PREVENT THEM BY REMEMBERING THE FOLLOWING: Know your path of travel - do not allow objects to remain in the way and create a tripping hazard Know the risk factors – liquids, icy conditions (outside), cords, furniture, carts (see the following slide) Wear right footwear – it is essential to preventing slips React promptly – remove the hazards, clear up spillages quickly (if inside - use signage until area is clean – remove the sign when the floor is dry) ~ don’t wait for someone else to do it Communicate hazards to others – meetings, awareness handouts, posters, etc.

Slips, Trips And Falls Watch out for: Worn or loose carpets Cords! Urine Water Food Broken stair tread edges Cracked floorboards and tiles Watch where you walk! Footwear – slip resistant Pick up objects that fall – don’t wait for someone else to do it! Never, never, never assume the floor is dry Transitions

SLIPS (defined): to slide along smoothly resulting in a sudden mishap. Winter Walking surfaces are unpredictable – footwear is vital Weather conditions may cause the floors to be wet or the ground to be icy. Make sure carpets extend beyond the moisture at entrances Always look where you are stepping and use caution on wet floors and ice to avoid slipping. Never assume the walking surface is dry.

TRIPS (defined): to catch the foot on something so as to stumble. Damaged steps or misplaced items are major factors in trips. Make sure that steps you use often are in good shape and that items (that do not belong on the steps) are out of the way. Always use handrails when ascending or descending stairs. Watch where you are going

Stairs Create visual awareness to steps by installing proper stair treads with yellow edges. Distraction on stairs Take one step at a time Don’t load your arms so full of materials that you can’t see Keep one hand on the handrail Don’t congregate on stairs or landings Keep stairs well lit

Other Hazards Prevent a potential injury by cleaning up spills and wet floors. Keep aisles and walkways clear of clutter or obstructions. Pick up objects and move extension cords to eliminate the potential for injury.

Your Responsibilities If something is creating a potential slip, trip, or fall hazard fix it (clean it up - move it). Place signs to warn others of the potential hazard. If you can not fix it – Report it to a manager so that the maintenance department can abate the hazard.

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