Module 3 Evaluating Slip Trip and Fall Hazards

Module 3 Evaluating Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards © 2006 3 -1

Objectives After completing this module, you will be able to: n Identify the three types of evaluation you can perform in your organization. n Identify the factors that influence the slipperiness of floors. n Identify the different floor types and their level of slip resistance. © 2006 3 -2

Objectives—continued n Understand how the coefficient of friction can be used to determine the slipperiness of a floor. n Identify the lighting standards for both general and emergency illumination. n Use the critical inventory method for evaluating slip, trip and fall hazards. © 2006 3 -3

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Recognize Evaluate © 2006 3 -4

Evaluate Parts of an Organization This is an evaluation of a specific item or area in your organization. n For example, you could assess the slipperiness of a floor, the safety of a ladder or the lighting in stairwell. n Use established standards. © 2006 3 -5

Evaluate an Existing Hazard This evaluation assesses the likelihood and extent of the harm a hazard might cause. n For example, test a known hazard on floor, in a stairwell, etc. n Use the critical inventory method. © 2006 3 -6

Evaluate the Organization This is an evaluation of your entire organization to determine where hazards exist. n For example, you could use Job Safety Analysis or Safety Inspection. n Use a checklist. © 2006 3 -7

Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls © 2006 3 -8

Factors of Floor Slipperiness n n n n n © 2006 Floor material Floor finish Floor texture and pattern Floor slope Floor contaminants Floor condition Environmental conditions Footwear of person Footstep of person 3 -9

What Makes a Floor Safe? © 2006 3 -10

The James Machine © 2006 Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute 3 -11

Horizontal Drag Meter © 2006 Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute 3 -12

BOT-3000 © 2006 Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute 3 -13

Portable Inclinable Articulated Strut © 2006 Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute 3 -14

English XL © 2006 Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute 3 -15

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Poor General Lighting A slip, trip or fall may occur if a walking surface is poorly lit and it causes a person not to see an obstacle. © 2006 3 -17

Poor Emergency Lighting A slip, trip or fall may occur if an organization’s electricity fails in an emergency and employees can’t see their way out. © 2006 3 -18

Foot Candle A foot candle represents the amount of light or brightness that a birthday cake candle generates from a distance of one foot. © 2006 3 -19

Factor 1: Severity A measure of how dire or severe the consequences would be if the hazard caused an incident © 2006 3 -20

Factor 2: Exposure The number of employees who are exposed to the hazard, and the number of times they are exposed © 2006 3 -21

Factor 3: Probability The likelihood that the hazard will result in an incident © 2006 3 -22

Severity? Exposure? Probability? © 2006 Photo used with permission of Marsh USA, Inc. 3 -23

Case Study © 2006 Photo used with permission of Marsh USA, Inc. 3 -24

General Rule Slips and trips happen frequently, but tend not to be severe. Falls happen infrequently, but tend to be severe. © 2006 3 -25

Action Plan Action © 2006 Potential Barriers Overcoming the Barriers 3 -26