Preventing Slips Trips Falls STF Safety Leadership Training

Preventing Slips, Trips, Falls (STF) Safety Leadership Training Our risk control service is advisory only. We assume no responsibility for management or control of customer safety activities nor implementation of recommended corrective measures. The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards, or regulations. Please refer to the appropriate code-, standard-, or regulation-making authority for interpretation or clarification. Only your policy or contract can give actual terms, conditions and exclusions.

Do’s § Actively participate by contributing – Ask questions – Share experiences – Request explanations § Be supportive of your co-workers § Apply what you learn to your job § Pass on the information Liberty Mutual Insurance 2

Objectives § Explain the significance of slips, trips and falls. § Identify causes and contributing factors that lead to slip, trip and fall accidents. § Apply a process for the prevention of slips, trips and falls. § Implement appropriate corrective action. Liberty Mutual Insurance 3

2011 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index Liberty Mutual Insurance 4

Percentage of Real Growth Liberty Mutual Insurance 5

Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls § Tribology § Age and vision – Transitions, “visually detectable” § Biomechanics – Ambulation and gait § Psychology – Perceptions of slipperiness § Others Gary Larson’s The Farside® Liberty Mutual Insurance 6

Tribology § The study of the interaction of sliding surfaces § It includes three subjects: – Friction – Lubrication – Wear Liberty Mutual Insurance 7

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 8

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 9

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 10

Tripping Hazards § Changes less than ¼ inch (6 mm) in height may be without edge treatment § Changes ¼ inch to ½ inch (6 mm-12 mm) beveled with slop no greater than 1: 2 (rise: run) § Greater than ½ inch (6 mm) ramp or stairway ASTM 1637 Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces US Access Board Technical Bulletin: Ground and Floor Surfaces Liberty Mutual Insurance 11

Color and Visual Contrast § ADAAG specifies that detectable warnings "shall contrast visually with adjoining surfaces, either light-on-dark, or dark-on-light” § Surfaces colored safety yellow (ISO 3864, ANSI Z 535. 1) "most visually detectable“ (US Access Board Research) § Contrast on curbs, step risers, stair nosing and landings § Edge transitions Liberty Mutual Insurance 12

Parking Lots and Sidewalks Liberty Mutual Insurance 13

Sidewalk Ramp Liberty Mutual Insurance 14

Pedestrian Access Liberty Mutual Insurance 15

Elevations Liberty Mutual Insurance 16

Slips and Falls on Stairs § Defects – – – Inadequate lighting Inadequate stairway visibility Inadequate or no handrail Handrail at improper height Improper tread or riser dimensions Tread visibility or surface material § Faulty housekeeping – Objects, water, or grease on stairs or landings Liberty Mutual Insurance 17

Stairways / Handrails: Falls and Causes § Stairways: Missteps/loss of balance Over step, under step, air step Ball of foot § Handrails: Both sides of stairs, full length of stair Liberty Mutual Insurance 18

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 19

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Additional Considerations § Restrooms – Soap dispensers by sink – Paper towel dispensers by sink; not behind § Cafeteria – Same as above – Housekeeping; spill control – Floor cleaning protocol Liberty Mutual Insurance 21

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 22

Treatments § Chemical etching – Ceramic tile, quarry tile, natural stone, porcelain (including bathtubs), concrete – Ammonium Bifluoride (AB) § Waxes, polishes – Limitations of COF data offered by manufacturers – Durability an issue § Coatings (acrylic, urethane) – Grit issues similar to epoxy discussion – Self adhesive mats (plastic, fiberglass bathtubs) Liberty Mutual Insurance 23

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 24

Housekeeping: Floor Cleaning Liberty Mutual Insurance 25

Housekeeping Controls § Education (signs) § Enough trash containers § Accountability for falls hazard prevention Liberty Mutual Insurance 26

Measuring Housekeeping § Hold first line supervisors accountable for cleanliness in their departments § Floor hazards must be periodically sampled, recorded and information fed back to managers. (Unannounced inspections) § Floor cleaning protocols must be tailored to the environment and floor material § Educate employees on the importance of “clean as you go”. Liberty Mutual Insurance 27

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 28

Slip-Resistant Footwear § No universal standard on what is slip-resistant – Look for “Slip Resistant” on the shoe itself or on the box/descriptive literature – “Oil-Resistant”, “Non-Marking”, “Skid-Resistant” are not the same! § Tread material – Softer rubber outsole conforms to floor surface § Tread design – Large contact area (no large gaps between contact surfaces) – Lots of crisscrossing grooves. § Overshoes are available Liberty Mutual Insurance 29

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 30

Entrance Mat Criteria § Sufficient running length and width (unpublished manufacturer’s study) – Snow: 10 - 12 walking steps or 25 to 30 feet – Rain: 8 - 10 walking steps or 20 to 25 feet – Dry: 6 - 8 walking steps or 15 to 20 feet § 80% of soil entering a building can be trapped within the first 15’ on a carpeted surface § Designed and placed so as not to create additional fall hazard § Rule of Thumb: should not be able to see footprints after stepping off mat (wet) Liberty Mutual Insurance 31

Entrance Mat Strategy Liberty Mutual Insurance 32

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 33

Slipmeters or Tribometers Brungraber Mark II (PIAST) Horizontal Pull Slip Meter (HPS) ASTM F 609 Liberty Mutual Insurance English XL (VIT) American Slip Meter, Inc 34

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 35

Warning Signs and Instructions § Wet floor signs are needed – but need to be removed when hazard no longer exists – Empower everyone in your influence to place these signs up whenever needed. § Umbrella bags are helpful and offer additional instructions to tenants and visitors Liberty Mutual Insurance 36

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 37

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Continuum Liberty Mutual Insurance 38

Summary § Same level falls continue to be a serious problem both in the workplace and public places. § Understanding slip, trip and fall causes and contributing factors is very important to prevention. § Slip, trip and fall prevention requires participation from multiple stakeholders that address multiple elements in a fall prevention process. § Identify and prioritize where your opportunities are and implement appropriate corrective action. Liberty Mutual Insurance 39