1. Slips, Trips, and Falls

2. Section I
Introduction 2

3. About this course Hazards of slips, trips, and falls
Ways to avoid the hazards 3

4. Fall Factors
Friction
Momentum
Gravity 4

5. Section II
Slips 5

6. What happens when you slip
Loss of balance caused by too little friction 6

7. Why slips occur
Loss of traction
Wet surfaces
Spills
Weather hazards 7

8. What happens when you slip
Potential solutions
Practice safe walking skills
Clean up spills
Keep grease off shop floors
Be cautious on smooth surfaces 8

9. Preventing slips Use appropriate footwear
Increase friction between shoes and walking surface 9

10. Preventing slips Strap-on cleats Non-skid boots
Proper footwear selection 10

11. Preventing slips
Floor Finishes
Cleaning
Waxing 11

12. Section III
Trips 12

13. How trips occur When a person trips: Worker’s foot hits an object
Balance is thrown off
Creates momentum to fall 13

14. Why trips occur Cluttered work areas Poor lighting
Area has loose footing 14

15. Why trips occur
Worker is in a hurry
Worker is inattentive 15

16. Preventing trips Be sure you can see over the load you are carrying
Ensure adequate lighting
Keep work areas free of clutter/litter 16

17. Preventing trips
Keep furniture and equipment out of walkways/traffic areas
Tape down extension cords or keep them out of walkways 17

18. Preventing trips Eliminate loose footing on stairs, steps, floors
Properly store ramps and gangplanks in loading dock areas 18

19. Section IV
Falls 19

20. Why falls occur Person moves too far away from center of balance
Caused by:
Makeshift ladders
Misuse of ladders
Poor climbing habits
Improper scaffolding use 20

21. Preventing falls Don’t jump from elevations Ensure adequate lighting
Docks
Trucks
Work stages
Ensure adequate lighting 21

22. Preventing falls Repair or report loose or broken stairs, handrails
Don’t use stairs/aisles as storage areas
Wear appropriate footwear 22

23. Section V
Stair Hazards 23

24. Prevent injury on stairs
Use handrails whenever possible
Walk up and down stairs; don’t run
Ensure you can see over the load you are carrying 24

25. Prevent injury on stairs
Report unsafe conditions, including broken:
Stair treads
Floor boards
Handrails 25

26. Section VI
Ladders and Scaffolds 26

27. Ladder safety Don’t use makeshift ladders Inspect ladders before use
Don’t pile up boxes, chairs, benches
Inspect ladders before use
Don’t use one with missing or broken rungs 27

28. Ladder safety Face the ladder when climbing Use both hands on ladders
Hoist materials up to you 28

29. Ladder safety Keep your center of balance near ladder
Adjust position of ladder – don’t overreach
Use the four-to-one rule
For every foot up, have 3 inches (1/4 foot) out 29

30. Ladder safety One person at a time on a ladder
Don’t stand on top step of ladder
When not using the ladder, stay away to avoid falling objects 30

31. Scaffold safety Check scaffolding daily for defects
Clear work surfaces of snow, ice, slippery materials 31

32. Scaffold safety Respect the load limits of scaffolds
Lock wheels/casters on mobile scaffolding 32

33. Section VII
Summary 33

34. Summary of main points
Fall factors
Why slips occur
Why trips occur 34

35. Summary of main points Why falls occur Hazards of stairs
Ladder and scaffold safety 35

36. Questions 36