Preventing Slips Trips Falls SSM Conference SAFE Work

Preventing Slips Trips & Falls SSM Conference SAFE Work Manitoba Gail Archer-Heese OT Reg (MB) Jennifer Dyck RN BN COHN (c)

Agenda • • • Slips, Trips and Falls Related Injuries & Stats Hazards Prevention/Controls Footwear Case Study

Slips • Inconsistencies in the walking surface(ice, snow, gravel, water)

Trips • Uneven surface or an object is in the way of the walking path (poor lighting, uneven carpet, distractions)

Falls • Can be caused by loss of balance following slip or trip

Did you know? • 19% of all the work-related injuries in Manitoba in 2017 were related to slips, trips or falls. (2017) - One in 5 • Of all the slip, trip and fall injuries reported in 2017, 61% resulted in time off from work. • Therefore, you are more likely to miss work if you slip, trip or fall

Injuries Related to STF KNEES BRAIN ANKLES Multiple Injuries LOWER BACK WRISTS SHOULDER • Bumps, bruises, contusions • Sprains and strains • Abrasions and lacerations • Fractures • Head injury • Death

Workplace Safety and Health Regulations Part 4: General Workplace Requirements Section 4. 5 Slipping and Tripping Hazards Part 8: Musculoskeletal Injuries Part 13: Entrances, Exits, Stairways Section 13. 1 Safe access and egress

Word Cloud

Hazards

Slip Hazards A surface can be slippery due to: • Wet - standing water, spills, recently washed floors • Grease - oils, blood, tree debris, leaves, garbage • Weather – ice, sleet, black ice, snow, rain • Inappropriate footwear

Flooring • No-Slip flooring (good traction: wet or dry) – Rubber mats, carpet, rough texture, coatings • Moderately Slippery (best when dry) – Vinyl, unpolished ceramic, unfinished wood, smooth concrete • Slippery (little traction, wet or dry) – Polished marble/tile, smooth metal, varnished wood, freshly painted concrete, ice

Trip Hazards • • • Un-engineered stairs, broken steps Uneven surfaces Obstructions Extension cords, hoses Snowbanks, sand piles Carpeting/mats or other texture changes in floor or ground surface

Multiple Choice When walking, what is the smallest rise or obstruction sticking up, to create a trip hazard. a) ½ inch b) 1 inch c) 1. 5 inches d) 2 inches

The Fatal Half Inch One thing we have in common: • When a person takes a step forward their foot comes off the ground by about ½ inch • Therefore, anything that sticks up more than ½ inch can cause you to fall

The Obvious

The Not So Obvious

Trip Hazards

STF Hazards: Visual Obstructions • Weather related • Lighting issues – Glare • Obstructed sight – carrying items – sight/use of lenses

Work Practices What we have some control over: • Impulsiveness • Using handrails (3 -points) • Handling too much at one time • Hurrying • Taking short cuts/skipping steps • Using established pathways = loss of balance, increased fatigue

Distractions Texting or reading as we walk (you might as well be walking blindfolded) = Not paying attention or distracted

Psychological Safety • Work Culture • Not feeling that your contributions are valued • Fears of harassment or discrimination • Deadline pressures • Internal Pressures – Multi-tasking – Overwhelmed, Exhausted = Unfocused Attention

Controls: Slips and Trips

Walk like a Penguin https: //www. albertahealthservices. ca/info /page 12619. aspx

Slips: Controls Indoors – Environment • Ensure floors are kept clean • Clean up spills and liquids off floor in a timely manner • Use signage • Ensure that signage goes up in a timely manner

Slips: Controls Consider anti-slip matting at indoorways • Textured strips with higher COF materials such as quartz, silica, and epoxy grit

Slips: Controls Outdoors • Slow down • Appropriate footwear • Avoid uneven ground • Use proper pathways (ex. Sidewalks) • Look ahead when you walk • Walk like a penguin • Maintain parking lots, outdoor walkways

Trips: Controls Indoors - Environment • Run cords away from traffic areas • Secure down edges of carpet/mats • Report broken carpet, tile, linoleum • Clear obstacles from pathways & aisles and pick up debris • Keep cabinets/drawers closed

Slips & Trips - Controls Indoors - Environment • Hi Vis paint on uneven edges • Make sure areas have adequate lighting • Use a flashlight to enter dark room • Wide turns at corners to avoid collisions • Parabolic mirrors

Slips & Trips - Controls Indoors – Work Practices • Only carry small loads • Use handrails always • Use hand trucks when possible • Avoid standing on chairs and tables • •

Question (Rank the following) When driving a truck, rank the following effects of vibration on the body: A) Back Pain B) Balance C) Loss of sensation, tingling of hands and arms D) Fatigue and headaches

Slips & Trips - Controls Outdoors • Exposure to riding vibration decreases balance reactions, increasing risk of falls during egress from cab

Slips & Trips - Controls Enter and exit vehicles carefully: – Use vehicle for support – 3 points of contact – Caution on uneven terrain Opt for truck seats with greater vibration reducing properties (e. g. BOSE)

Safety Culture: Controls • Create a culture of safety awareness – Walk the talk – work safely • Encourage others to do the same • Remind one another • Take the initiative to do daily checks

Psychological Safety: Controls • Create environment of psychological safety • Mindfulness • Work/life balance – Self-care and wellness • Reduce multi-tasking • Consider different job rotations and options to spread out the deadline pressures

Slips and Trips often end up in a Fall Don’t Let This Happen to You

Footwear: Controls • Shoes with support and slip resistant soles – Consider construction of heel and sole • Appropriate to the task and flooring (i. e. boots, shoes, cleats) • Remove snow and • water from footwear – Change into dry, slip – resistant footwear once inside

Types of Footwear Sector Specific • Health Care • Service • Manufacturing • Construction • Agriculture • Infrastructure Types of Footwear • Safety • Comfort • Friction Enhancing

Examples • “Kickspike” boots • Cleats • Rated Treads

How to Rate My Treads

Rate My Treads

Case Studies

References • http: //www. ratemytreads. com/ • CSA Standard for creating psychologically safe work environments (A Hazard is a Hazard) • Canadian Mental Health Association, Manitoba and Winnipeg • Guarding Minds www. guardingmindsatwork. ca

SAFE Work Manitoba Contact us at: safemanitoba. ca 1 -204 -957 -7233 x 3