1. Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

2. Now what could go wrong here?????

3. It’s No Laughing Matter
A teacher falls as he walks to the blackboard and a students asks, “Have a good trip?”
The jokes are familiar, but slips are no laughing matter. They take a heavy toll on the number of workplace injuries and lost workdays.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls to the same level are one of the most common causes of injuries on the job.

4. Slips-Trips-Falls (STF)
Can occur in any part of the workplace whether inside or outside.
May result in serious injuries
Significant cost to both the worker and employer
Impact To Worker:
Impact To Employer:
Pain
Lost wages
Temporary or permanent disability
Reduced quality of life
Depression
Lost productivity
Costs of replacement employee
Cost of medical treatment

5. Definitions of Slips, Trips & Falls
STF Friction: The resistance encountered when an object (foot) is moved in contact with another (ground). Friction is necessary in order to walk without slipping.
When there is too little friction or traction between your feet (footwear) and the walking or working surface, and you lose your balance.
When you are too far off your center of balance.
Slip Trip
When your foot (or lower leg) hits an object and your upper body continues moving, throwing you off balance.
When you step down unexpectedly to a lower surface (Misstep) and lose your balance, e.g., stepping off a curb.
Fall

6. Common types of Slips, Trips & Falls Injuries:
Sprains & strains
Bruises & contusions
Fractures
Abrasions & lacerations

7. Commonly affected Body Parts:
Knee, Ankle, Foot
Wrist, Elbow
Back
Shoulder
Hip
Head

8. What causes slips, trips and falls?
Slips can occur when floors or other working surfaces become slippery due to wet or oily processes, floor cleaning, leaks, or from materials and debris left in walkways.
Trips can occur due to uneven floor or working surfaces, protruding nails and boards, from stretched carpet or bunched floor mats intended to prevent slipping, from holes or depressions in working surfaces, and from step- risers on stairs that are not uniform in height.
Both slips and trips can result in falls. In addition, falls can occur when ladders are not maintained properly, and when stairways and elevated working surfaces are not designed properly.

9. Many Could Have Been Prevented
According to the U. S. Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents.
8.6 million visits to the emergency room each year in the U.S. are attributed to falls
In Fiscal Year , approximately 1400 employee workers’ compensation claims were attributed to slips, trips or falls which cost nearly $10 million

10. Report and Investigate
The incidence of slips, trips and falls at work may be even higher than the numbers show.
Many workers do not report incidents because they may be minor and make them appear clumsy. This is a mistake.
Minor incidents that are reported may be clues to troublesome areas needing repairs, and may help prevent a major incident from occurring.

11. Factors Increasing the Risk
Not Paying Attention
Clutter
Look familiar??

12. Safety Reminders
Supervisors should stress these simple safety reminders:
If you drop it, pick it up.
If you spill it, wipe it up.
Go where you are looking, and look where you are going.

13. Take Control of Your Environment
To further reduce the risk of falls, employees should ensure that:
Aisles are clear
Floors are clean
Signs are present to warn of slippery areas
They wear shoes with good support and slip resistant soles
Cabinets and drawers are closed
Guests get the assistance they need
Never stand on a chair, table or surface
with wheels

14. OSHA Regulations General Requirements
Housekeeping
Workplaces shall be kept clean, orderly, and sanitary.
Workroom floors shall be maintained as clean and dry as possible.
Every floor, working
place and passageway
shall be kept free from
protruding nails, splinters,
holes, or loose boards.
§ (a)

15. Housekeeping Close file cabinet or storage drawers
Report cables/wires that cross walkway
Keep working areas and walkways well lit and clear
Report burned out bulbs
Be aware of your surroundings and correct any perceived hazard
Discuss the list on the slide.
Ask participants if they know of any injuries caused by one of these risk factors. Have them tell what the injury was, the risk factor and how could have it been avoided.
Remember, without good housekeeping practices, any other preventative measures such as installation of sophisticated flooring, specialty footwear or training on techniques of walking will never be fully effective.

16. Housekeeping DON’Ts…………
Prop fire doors open.
Store materials in stairwells.
Store trash cans in front of doorway.
Use chair to block an emergency cut-off valve.
Place chairs in dangerous areas. For example, the chair in the picture could represent a struck against hazard.
DO………
CORRECT or REPORT these HAZARDS!

17. OSHA General Requirements
§ (b)
Aisles and passageways
Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair.
Permanent aisles and passageways shall be marked.
Where mechanical handling equipment is used, aisles, loading docks, and doorways shall maintain sufficient safe clearances.

18. Sidewalks and Crosswalks
Report these dangers

19. Slips on Ice
Snow and ice are not common in Los Angeles but it does happen occasionally.
Be aware of slippery areas surfaces outdoors in parking lots and walkways

20. Slips on Ice
Use appropriate footwear - In icy weather, ladies should leave the heels at home. Ideally, wear boots or shoes with a good grip and strong soles. Shoes with built-in support at the ankles will protect you from potential ankle injuries should you fall.
Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support.
Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous.
Look ahead when you walk; a snow- or ice covered sidewalk or driveway, may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.

21. Slip, Trip and Fall Hazard
PROBLEM:
Slip: if it is wet outside and the mat is folded back, then the floor is getting wet instead of the mat absorbing the water.
Trip: the mat is folded back and someone could catch their foot on the mat and trip.
Fall: both a wet floor and caught foot could contribute to a fall.
CORRECT this HAZARD!

22. Working Safely on Ladders
Choose the appropriate ladder for the job
Place the base on a firm, solid surface
Face the ladder and grip the rungs, not the side rails when you climb
Always keep 3 points of contact with the ladder (2 hands, 1 foot or 2 feet, 1 hand)

23. The Don’t of Ladders Safety
Do not climb with tools in hand
Do not lean or overreach. Reposition the ladder closer to the work instead.
Do not step on the top rung

24. Resources
Office of Environmental Health and Safety or Phone
American National Standards Institute
OSHA
NIOSH