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Slips, Trips, and Falls

Learning Objectives

Objectives:

► Recognize the major causative factors for slips, trips, and falls

► Be familiar with strategies implemented in the workplace to reduce the possibility of these accidents

Agenda

Agenda:

► Definitions and causes

► Preventive measures

► Your responsibilities

►Section 1

Definitions and Causes

What is a Slip?

Occurs when there is too little friction between a person’s feet or shoes and the walking surface:

► Pedestrian on icy sidewalk

► Hotel guest on newly waxed tile floor

► Maintenance mechanic on shop floor

► Busboy on wet kitchen floor

► Delivery person descending a flight of stairs

► Construction worker on a sloped roof

Causes of Slips

Common causes of slips:

► Spills and splashes of liquids and solids

► Unsuitable footwear

► Loose mats on polished floors

► Inclement weather

► Change from a wet to a dry surface

► Unsuitable floor surface

► Dusty floors

► Sloping surfaces

What is a Trip?

Occurs when a person’s foot contacts an object and they are thrown off balance:

► Electrician tripping on electrical wires

► Roofer tripping over the air-gun hose

► Waiter tripping on an uneven floor mat

► Construction worker tripping on debris pile

Causes of Trips

Common causes:

► Loose or worn flooring or covering

► Holes and cracks in the floor

► Uneven outdoor surfaces

► Changes in surface level

► Cables and cords

► Carrying heavy or large objects

► Other obstructions

What Causes a Fall?

Two basic types of falls:

► Same-level falls: High frequency – low severity

► Elevated falls: Lower frequency – high severity

The Costs of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Over one million workers annually:

► Thousands of injuries are fatal

► Back is frequently injured

► Wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, knees, and hips are also frequently injured

Preventive Measures

►Section 2

Preventing Slips

Approach to remove factors that cause slips:

► Ensuring proper amount of traction

► Providing signs to alert workers

► Using floor mats

► Improving visibility

Preventing Slips

Work practices and housekeeping:

► Prompt response to spills

► Using barricades

► Arrange alternative traffic patterns around wet floors

► Wear proper footwear

Preventing Trips

Prevention of trips can be reduced by:

► Position equipment to avoid across walking paths

► Use cable covers

► Prevent mats and rugs from curling

► Improved lighting

Preventing Trips

Housekeeping is a critical element:

► Designate travel routes

► Keep them free of obstacles

► Cordless tools eliminate trip hazards

Preventing Falls

Falls occur from:

► Ladders

► Scaffolds

► Elevated work platforms

Your Responsibilities

►Section 3

Workplace Factors

Workplace injury is minimized by:

► Proper design and construction

► Signage

► Housekeeping

Carrying Materials

Carrying materials increases risks:

► Affects balance

► Distracts attention

► Obstructs vision

Plan:

► Route before carrying materials

► Walk route without materials

► Use “buddy system”

Your Responsibilities

Your responsibilities:

► Identify hazards

► Maintain hazard free workplace

► Select proper footwear

► Use appropriate ladders, scaffolds, and work platforms

► Follow fall protection requirements

► Do not obstruct field of vision

Additional Information

Preventing Injuries from Slips, Trips, and Falls. Circular 869 of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. 2001

Stairways and Ladders: A Guide to OSHA Rules OSHA Publication 3124, (2003)