Slips Trips and Falls Prevention Slips Trips and

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Objectives • Understand the prevalence of slips, trips, and fall injuries and their costs. • Review the causes of slips, trips, and falls. • Learn how to prevent slips, trips, and falls. – Identify and report hazards. – Implement controls.

Work-related Death and Injuries Top 5 causes of work-related death and injuries: • • • Transportation Incidents Violence and other injuries by persons or animals Slips, trips or falls Contact with objects and equipment Exposure to harmful substances and environments *National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2016

Workplace Lost Time Injuries Top 3 workplace injury causes resulting in lost time: 1. Overexertion (35% of injuries) 2. Contact with objects and equipment (25% of injuries) 3. Slips, Trips and Falls (25% of injuries) Source: www. nsc. org/Measure/Pages/Workplace-Injuries-Infographic. aspx

Quick Facts • Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. • Fatalities from falls are equally divided between men and women. • For adults age 55+, falls are the leading cause of occupational injury. • 85% of slip, trip and fall workers’ compensation claims are due to slipping on slick floors. Source: National Floor Safety Institute, http: //nfsi. org

Could This Happen at Your School? Robin has been a teacher with the district for 17 years. She was in the process of moving her classroom from the third floor to the second floor of her building. Robin tripped and fell head first down a flight of stairs while carrying a box of materials to her new classroom. 911 was called and she was taken to the hospital. This healthy mother of two was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia. Total Expected Payments: $5, 886, 500

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Slip (verb): to slide suddenly or involuntarily; to lose one’s foothold, as on a smooth surface. Source: www. dictionary. com

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention • Slips: – Common causes: • Floor design; coefficient of friction • Wet or oily surfaces • Occasional spills • Weather hazards • Loose or unanchored rugs, mats, carpet • Floor maintenance issues • Shoes

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Trip (verb): to stumble or misstep; a sudden impeding or catching of a person’s foot so as to throw the person down. Source: www. dictionary. com

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention • Trips: – Common causes: • Inside – – Rugs, mats, carpeting Backpacks, books and bags Exposed cables, cords Open drawers or cabinets • Outside – – Cracks or holes in parking lots Unmarked curb or ramp edges Uneven walking surfaces Inadequate lighting

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Parking lots have plenty of other issues! • Unmarked elevation changes: – Speed bumps – Tire stops – Wheelchair accessible curbs, ramps Speed Bump Tire Stop Slippery conditions in the parking lot can be due to rain, ice, snow, frost, sleet, and hail. Wheelchair Accessible Curb

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention • Wear shoes with: – Slip-resistant soles and a good tread – No leather or smooth soles – No open-toes – No platform or high heels

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention • During rainy or winter weather: – – Wipe shoes on mats, as necessary. Provide covers for umbrellas. Provide a place for rain gear. Contact the custodial staff if you need assistance with a slip and fall issue. – Use “CAUTION: WET FLOOR” signs, etc.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention • To reduce slips, trips, and falls: – Contact the custodial staff if you need assistance with a slip and fall issue. • • • Spill or liquid clean up Weather hazards Loose or unanchored rugs, mats, carpet Floor maintenance issues Cracks or holes in parking lots “CAUTION WET FLOOR” signs, etc.

Summary • Slips, trips and falls are the most frequently occurring injuries in the workplace. • Slips, trips and falls are the number two cause of unintentional workplace fatalities, second only to motor vehicle incidents. • Taking time to recognize and report observed slip, trip and fall hazards can reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention