Slips, Trips & Falls

Slips, Trips & Falls Identification & Prevention.

Objectives • Costs of slips, trips & falls (STFs) • Definitions • Causes of STFs • Risk factors • Prevention/minimization.

Costs of STFs • Slips, trips & falls can happen anywhere in your operation • Slips & trips can result in falls, possibly disability or death • Costs to employer & worker can be substantial.

Frequency of STFs • Slips, trips & falls make up majority of general industry accidents (USDoL) – 15% of all accidental deaths; 2nd leading cause behind motor vehicles • ~12,000/year – One of most frequently-reported injuries • ~25% of reported claims/year – Over 17% of all disabling occupational injuries result from falls • Most could have been prevented.

STF Injuries • Sprains & strains • Bruises & contusions • Fractures • Abrasions & lacerations.

Typical Injury Sites • Knee, ankle and/or foot • Wrist &/or elbow • Back &/or shoulder • Hip • Head.

Definitions • Slip – Too little friction or traction between feet (footware) & walking/working surface, resulting in loss of balance.

Definitions • Trip – Foot or lower leg hits object & upper body continues moving, resulting in loss of balance – Stepping down to lower surface & losing balance Potential Trip Hazards?.

Definitions • Fall – Occurs when too far off center of balance • Two types – Fall at same level • Fall to same walking or working surface, or fall into or against objects above same surface – Fall to lower level • Fall to level below walking or working surface.

Causes of Slips • Wet product or spills on smooth floors or walking surfaces – Water – Mud – Grease – Oil – Food – Blood – Offal.

Causes of Slips • Dry product or spills making walking surface slippery – Dusts – Powders – Granules – Wood – Plastic wrapping.

Causes of Slips • Highly-polished floors can be slick even when dry – Concrete – Marble – Ceramic tile • Freshly-waxed surfaces • Transitioning from one surface to another – Carpeted to vinyl – Grid to smooth concrete.

Causes of Slips • Sloped walking surfaces • Loose, unanchored rugs or mats • Loose floorboards or shifting tiles • Wet, muddy or greasy shoes • Ramps & gang planks without skid- or slip- resistant surfaces.

Causes of Slips • Metal surfaces – Dockboards & dock plates – Platforms – Sidewalk & road covers • Mounting & dismounting vehicles & equipment • Climbing ladders • Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel.

Causes of Slips • Sloped, uneven or muddy terrain • Weather hazards • Leaves, pine needles & other plant debris (wet or dry).

Causes of Trips • Uncovered hoses, cables, wires or extension cords across aisles or walkways • Clutter, obstacles in aisles, walkway & work areas • Open cabinet, file or desk drawers & doors.

Causes of Trips • Changes in elevation or levels – Unmarked steps or ramps • Rumpled or rolled-up carpets/mats or carpets with curled edges • Irregularities in walking surfaces – Thresholds or gaps • Missing or uneven floor tiles & bricks.

Causes of Trips • Damaged steps • Non-uniform, improper or irregular steps – Taller of shorter – Shallower tread depth – Otherwise irregular Tread Riser.

Causes of Trips • Debris, accumulated waste materials • Trailing cables, pallets, tools in gangways • Objects protruding from walking surface • Uneven surfaces • Sidewalk/curb drops • Speed bumps • Tire bumpers • Wheelchair ramps & curbs • Driveways.

Environmental Conditions Increasing Risk of Trips & Slips • Poor lighting • Glare • Shadows • Bulky PPE (includes improper footware) • Excess noise or temperature • Fog or misty conditions • Poor housekeeping • Improper cleaning methods & products • Inadequate or missing signage.

• Failing eyesight &/or visual perception • Age • Physical condition & fatigue • Stress or illness • Medications, alcohol & drug effects Human Factors Increasing Risk of Trips & Slips - Physical.

Human Factors Increasing Risk of Trips & Slips - Behavior • Carrying or moving cumbersome objects or simply too many objects at one time • Not paying attention to surroundings or walking distracted • Taking unapproved shortcuts • Being in a hurry and rushing.

STFs are Preventable • Design of workplace & work processes – Design workplace & processes to prevent potential exposures to slip & trip hazards • Good housekeeping – Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter • Safe walking practices – Follow safe walking practices & routes • Wearing proper footwear – Wear proper footwear with good traction • Learn to fall “properly” – There are techniques that can minimize fall injuries.

Workplace/Work Process Design • Contain work processes to prevent discharge, splatter, or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, dusts & offal onto floor – Local exhaust ventilation – Extraction/collection systems – Enclosures – Work surfaces with raised or lipped edges – Catch/drip pans, drain-offs.

Workplace/Work Process Design • Use drip trays to contain leaks of lubricant onto floor from machinery – Perform regularly scheduled maintenance • Use adequate ventilation to avoid smoke, steam & condensation of water & grease onto floor • Provide adequate lighting to keep work areas, aisles & paths of travel well lit.

Workplace/Work Process Design • Mark/highlight step edges & transition areas (changes in elevations) – Use anti-skid paint, slip-resistant coatings & strips • Make sure stairs have sufficient lighting & hand rails • Provide effective drainage, false floors or work platforms • Install slip-resistant floors in high risk areas.

Housekeeping • All places of employment clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition • Workrooms clean & dry • Platforms, mats, or other dry standing places for wet processes.

Aisles • Sufficient safe clearance maintained where mechanical handling equipment is used • Aisles and passageways kept clear and in good repairs • No obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.

Portable Ladders • Maintained in good conditions at all times • Locks, wheels, pulleys frequent lubrication • Worn rope replaced • Safety feet and auxiliary equipment in good shape.