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Slips, Trips, and Falls

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this document are intended only for the informational use of the addressee. The information contained herein is not intended as, nor does it constitute, specific legal or technical advice to the reader. Any information or recommendations contained herein are provided to the addressee for usage at their own

• discretion. Neither Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd., its

Members, Managers or Signal Administration, Inc. and/or their employees accept liability whether in tort, negligence, contract, or

• therwise, to anyone for any lack of technical skill, completeness of

recommendations, or analysis of issues associated with the discussion of topics set forth herein. No responsibility is assumed for the discovery or elimination of unsafe conditions. Compliance with any recommendations herein should not assume your compliance with any federal, state, or local law or regulation. Additionally, the information contained herein does not constitute and shall not be construed to reflect the adoption of any coverage position by Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd., its Members, Managers or Signal Administration, Inc. and/or their employees.

Introduction

• There’s been so much information about

slips, trips, and falls that many people are no longer paying attention.

• Slips and falls were the major causes of

injuries in the early days of safety.

• There are cases where people were

deliberately pushed down stairs. There have been a wide range of accidents in the workplace from every conceivable cause.

Introduction

• This even includes running into doors or

doors running into people.

• Jumping from elevated surfaces has

caused quite a few injuries.

• And every type of slip and fall from ladders

to slippery floors, debris on the floor or working surfaces.

• No improvement is noticeable.

Today’s Injury Statistics

• With today’s technology, injury statistics

demonstrate where we went wrong, and even with excellent safety and health departments, we still experience slip and fall incidents.

• What’s the magic bullet? New floor
• surfaces. State of the art shoes.
• What’s the answer? We believe it is more

training. And that everyone accepts responsibility for working and acting safely.

• Who would have thought of that?

Overview of Course

• Let’s look at how we’re going to approach

today’s course.

• First, we want to review some of the ways

people trip and fall.

• Secondly,

we want to review basic prevention techniques.

• Thirdly, we’d like to encourage you to get
• n the safety bandwagon for preventing

slips, trips, and falls.

Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

• When you think of ladders, uneven

surfaces, and of course slippery surfaces such as water, ice, and grease, you can visualize the cause

• f accidents.
• OSHA states that about 35 percent
• f

the majority

• f

workplace accidents are caused by slips, trips, and falls.

Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Falls can cause severe injuries such as

broken hands and arms, back injuries, strains to muscles and ligaments, and even death.

• Slips, trips, and falls happen when working

with ladders, platforms and heights. Nothing good can come from slips, trips and falls.

Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Remember, these types of accidents have

been around for a long time. So it’s nothing

• new. However, there is a new concentrated

effort to eliminate slips, trips, and falls.

Falls

• About 60 percent of falls

are a result of slips and

• trips. The remaining 40

percent are falls from heights, falls from ladders, roofs, and stairs, or from jumping to a lower level.

Slips

• Slips happen when there is

too little friction or traction between footwear and the walking surface.

• Common causes of slips are

wet

• r
• ily

surfaces,

• ccasional

spills, weather hazards, or unanchored rugs

• r mats and flooring, and

walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all areas.

Trips

• Trips happen when your foot collides by striking or

hitting an object, causing you to lose your balance and then fall.

• Common causes of trips are:
• Obstructed view
• Poor lighting
• Clutter in your way
• Wrinkled carpeting
• Uncovered cables
• Bottom drawers not being closed
• Uneven steps and walking surfaces

Review

• A trip occurs when a person’s foot comes

in contact with an object that’s in their way

• r drops to a lower level unexpectedly,

causing them to be thrown off balance.

• A slip occurs when there is too little traction

between footwear and the walking surface.

• A fall occurs when you’re too far off

balance.

Prevention Techniques

• Both slips and trips result from some kind
• f unintended or unexpected change in the

contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface.

• This shows that good housekeeping,

quality of walking surfaces or flooring, selection

• f

proper footwear, and appropriate pace of walking are critical to preventing fall accidents.

Prevention Techniques

• What are some basic ways you can

prevent slips and trips?

• Install light sources that are sufficient for your

task,

• Use a flashlight if you’re entering a dark room

where there’s no light

• Ensure that things you’re carrying or pushing do

not prevent you from seeing obstructions or spills

Housekeeping

• The first and most important level in

preventing falls due to slips and trips is good housekeeping which includes;

• Cleaning all spills immediately
• Marking spills and wet areas
• Mopping or sweeping debris from floors
• Removing obstacles from walkways and keeping

them free of clutter

• Securing mats, rugs and carpets that don’t lay flat
• Always close file cabinet and storage drawers

Housekeeping

• Other housekeeping tasks are:
• Cover cables that cross

walkways.

• Keep work areas and walkways

well lit.

• Replace used light bulbs and

faulty switches.

• Without

good housekeeping practices, any other preventive measure such as installation of special flooring, appropriate footwear, or training in walking and safe falling, will never be fully effective.

Footwear

• In workplaces where floors may be oily, wet,
• r if workers spend considerable time
• utdoors, prevention of fall accidents should

focus on selecting proper footwear.

• Since there’s no footwear with anti-slip

properties, consulting a shoe manufacturer is highly recommended.

• Proper fitting footwear increases comfort, and

prevents fatigue, which can improve safety for the employee.

Footwear

• It’s important to remember that safety is

everybody’s business.

• However, it is the employer’s responsibility

to provide a safe work environment for all employees.

• The most important protection is to wear the

proper footwear for your work and environment.

Footwear

• In most occupations, the shoes or boots

should provide three major types

• f

protection.

• Soles and heels should be slip resistant
• The toe of the shoe should resist crushing injuries
• The shoe should support the ankle

Footwear

• Leather covering the foot and ankle portion of

the foot is preferred in most work environments.

• However, when working in wet environments,
• r

around chemicals,

• ils,

greases,

• r

pesticides, boots made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a blend of PVC and polyurethane, or neoprene should be used.

• Rubber is satisfactory for wet conditions but

not with pesticides or petroleum products.

Behaviors That Lead to Falls

• In addition to wearing the wrong footwear,

there are specific behaviors which can lead to slips, trips, and falls.

Behaviors That Lead to Falls

• Walking too fast or running can cause

major problems that can lead to slips, trips, and falls.

• Distractions, not watching where one is

going.

• Carrying materials which obstruct view.
• Wearing sunglasses in low light areas.
• Failure to use hand rails.

Behaviors That Lead to Falls

• These and other behaviors, caused by a

lack of knowledge, impatience, or a lack of good habits developed from past experiences, can lead to falls, injuries, or even death.

• Makeshift ladders, chairs, boxes, and

barrels should never be used as substitutes for a ladder. The risk of injury is far too great.

Falls from Vehicles and Equipment

• Death or serious injury is a frequent result of

extra riders falling from tractors, equipment,

• r the bed of a truck.
• The safe way to avoid falls from vehicles or

equipment is to not allow riders.

Falls from Vehicles and Equipment

• Practice the three point system on entry and
• exit. This system can significantly reduce the

chances of injuring yourself through a slip or fall while climbing ladders or while entering or exiting a vehicle.

• The three point system means that three of

your four limbs are in contact with the ladder

• r vehicle at all times - either one hand and

two feet or two hands and one foot.

Falls from Vehicles and Equipment

• Only one limb is in motion at any time with the

three point system.

• When getting off the bed of a truck or wagon,
• r any similar level, step down backwards.
• Never jump or fall down forward.

Falls on Stairs

• Stairwells should be well lighted with sturdy

hand rails on both sides.

• Persons using the stairwell should have
• ne hand free to be able to use the hand

rail.

• All the steps should have the same rise

and depth with visible edges.

• They must be kept free of grease, oil, and
• bstacles which could cause slips and trips.

Falls on Stairs

• Whenever possible, avoid carrying bulky or

heavy objects which obscure your vision and/or require the use of both hands.

• Carry smaller, lighter loads and make more

trips, or obtain help with the load.

Ladders

• Ladders

cause a great number of injuries.

• Never stand on the top two

steps of a stepladder—that’s just too dangerous and causes an unsafe shift in the center of gravity of the ladder.

• Don’t lean past the rails of the

ladder as this creates instability.

Ladders

• We call this the “belt buckle rule.” Don’t

lean past your belt buckle, for safety.

• Naturally, don’t use a metal ladder when

working on or near electricity. It’s a great risk of electrocution or getting a shock that can throw you off the ladder.

Ladders

• With straight ladders, you may recall the
• ld 4 to 1 ratio for setting up straight

ladders.

• While still applicable, it falls short of the

best way to ensure that the ladder is properly set up for safety.

Ladders

• There are three basic requirements for

extension ladder setup.

• First, the top of the ladder must extend three

feet or three rungs above the point of contact with the structure.

• Secondly, it must be set up at the precise

angle of 75.5 degrees to provide the proper angle for climbing.

• Lastly, an extension ladder verification device

is recommended to achieve this angle with accuracy.

Fall Protective Devices

• Workers at high elevations,

such as ladders, platforms, and catwalks, should be protected from falling by some kind of fall protective device.

• This could be a protective

cage, a lifeline, lanyard, safety belt or harness.

Fall Protective Devices

• There are numerous devices on the market.
• The

system should provide maximum protection but it should also be reasonably comfortable and not restrict the worker’s necessary work activity.

• Suppliers of safety equipment can provide

information on the correct system for your workplace and should provide instruction on its safe use.

Signs and Striping

• Safety signs to remind people of slip, trip, and

fall hazards are certainly always helpful.

• Particularly where hazards cannot be removed
• r corrected, such signs should be changed

frequently.

Signs and Striping

• Yellow striping to identify walking and

working areas are most effective if their meaning is enforced.

• Striped areas should mean that no object

should be placed in these areas.

• Dropped and spilled materials should be

removed immediately.

Conclusion

• Established policies and practices can be

implemented to significantly reduce the number of injuries and deaths due to slips, trips, and falls.

• Much like being a defensive driver, to avoid

accidents, one must also be a safe walker to avoid slips, trips, and falls.