PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS

1. PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS Bureau of Workers’ Comp PA Training for Health & Safety (PATHS) PPT-034-02

2. Slips, Trips and Falls – Public Enemy #1? OSHA estimates that slips, trips and falls cause approximately 15 percent of accidental deaths. Second only to motor vehicle accidents. Account for between 12-15 percent of Workers’ Compensation costs. Average cost for one disabling injury now approaching $30,000. PPT-034-02

3. Two Types of Falls • On same level: high frequency, low severity • From elevations: low frequency, high severity PPT-034-02

4. Causes • Wet, slippery, oily floors/stairs. • Loose, irregular surfaces, such as rocks. • Insufficient light. • Uneven walkways or sidewalks. PPT-034-02

5. More Causes • Shoes with slick soles or raised heels. • Moving too fast. • Carrying items (impair balance, obstruct vision). • Objects on the floor (e.g., paperclips, food). PPT-034-02

6. More Causes Poor housekeeping. Loose handrails. Uncovered/unguarded pits/floor openings. Improper ladder usage. PPT-034-02

7. Safe Ladder Use? Of course not! In this case, two people could be injured. PPT-034-02

8. … and More Causes • Shifting floor tiles. • Not watching while walking/moving. • Spilled liquids. • Cords across walkways. PPT-034-02

9. What to Do? Prevent! Prevent! Prevent! Prevent! PPT-034-02

10. What to Do • Four Steps: (1) Find the problem/hazard (2) Check it out (3) Fix it (4) Look at it again PPT-034-02

11. Step 1 – Find the Problem Step up due to raised floor • Is the area wet, slippery, or cluttered? • Are employees moving too quickly? • Is the area poorly lit? • Are stairs steep or in poor condition? PPT-034-02

12. Any Problems Here? Exit/walkway cluttered; more lighting needed PPT-034-02

13. Step 1 (Continued) • Are handrails present? • Are there unguarded edges/openings? • Does layout make a slip, trip, fall situation? • Are there cords across the walkway? PPT-034-02

14. What about This? Walkway cluttered; cords across PPT-034-02

15. Step 2 – Check it Out Is the problem area near moving machinery or is the area high-traffic? Is the area properly lit? Are employees wearing proper footwear? PPT-034-02

16. Which is Safer for Work? These shoes are much safer! PPT-034-02

17. Step 2 (Continued) Are “wet floor” signs in place? Are floors being mopped one half at a time? Is walking surface more slippery due to its construction? Is area outside and subject to weather? PPT-034-02

18. Step 3 – Fix It • If possible, eliminate or control the hazard immediately (e.g., having spills wiped up). • If not possible, take steps to alert people and then determine what can be done to eliminate or control the hazard. PPT-034-02

19. If You Can’t Fix Quickly, Alert People to the Hazard PPT-034-02

20. Step 4 – Look at it Again Ensure the hazard/problem was repaired, eliminated or controlled. Does the area have to be checked periodically to ensure the hazard/problem does not return? Determine if any training is required for affected employees. Should appropriate signage be posted? PPT-034-02

21. Fall Prevention Signs PPT-034-02

22. Prevention Measures • Put yellow lines on the floors in warehouse/storage areas to identify walkways/working spaces. • Store objects on shelves or in cabinets, not in aisles/walkways. • Train employees not to run. • Ensure aisles/walkways are kept clear and unobstructed. PPT-034-02

23. Prevention Measures Keep walkways clear & unobstructed Yellow Lines Indicate Walkway PPT-034-02

24. More on Prevention • Educate employees to wear proper footwear and to not run or move quickly while walking. • Have leaks/spills cleaned up quickly. • Place “caution tape” on uneven/drop-off areas. • Develop and put into place a ladder-safety and inspection program. PPT-034-02

25. Wearing Proper Footwear Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles or traction devices when walking or working on surfaces that are wet, greasy, icy or otherwise slick (e.g., in kitchen areas, performing custodial work). No footwear has anti-slip properties for every condition – select the proper type of footwear for working conditions and the type of flooring or walking/working surface. Slip-resistant traction devices for snow and ice that fit over the soles Steel-toed safety boots with oil-resistant soles PPT-034-02

26. Stair Safety Non-slip threads on stair edges Reflective edging on last step PPT-034-02

27. More Prevention • Fixed ladders = securely attached to the structure and should support a minimum of 250 lbs. • Fixed ladder rungs should be a minimum of 16” wide and a maximum of 12” apart. • When working above 4’ (general industry) or 6’ (construction) employees should use appropriate fall protection and be trained on its proper use. PPT-034-02

28. and More Prevention • Have “wet floor” signs posted where necessary. • Thoroughly investigate all slips, trips and falls. • Apply non-skid coating or place non-skid strips in areas where floors are likely to be slippery or wet. • Encourage employees to report hazardous situations as soon as possible. PPT-034-02

29. Slip Prevention NON-SKID STRIPS SLIP-RESISTANT COATING PPT-034-02

30. More Prevention One person only! Train employees that only the operator should ride on a vehicle designed for one person. Inspect walking/working surfaces regularly. Educate employees to use handrails when walking on stairs. Train employees not to place cords across walkways. PPT-034-02

31. and Even More Prevention • Instruct employees to pick up objects that have fallen on the floor (e.g., food, paper clips, etc.). • Have carpets, rugs and mats secured to the floor, and tape down raised ends. • Always close file cabinet drawers. • Do not place delivery carts in the middle of an aisle or walkway. PPT-034-02

32. Mounting/Dismounting Equipment Safely • Maintain three-point contact at all times while getting onto/off the equipment until reaching ground, cab or stable platform. • one hand, two feet • two hands, one foot Three-point contact: • Do not jump off when dismounting or getting off the bed of a truck or other part of the equipment. Step down carefully while facing equipment (reverse order of the pictures above). PPT-034-02

33. Summary There are two types of falls = on the same level and from an elevation. Train employees to look for slip/trip/fall hazards. Situations that are identified as hazardous should be corrected as soon as possible. Ensure walkways and stairways are well lit. Prevent, prevent, prevent! PPT-034-02

34. Falling “Properly” Roll with the fall; don’t reach out. Let your body crumple and roll. Bend your elbows and knees and use your legs and arms to absorb the fall. Get medical attention after a fall to treat anything torn, sprained or broken. If you do fall, you can reduce the chance of serious injury if you: PPT-034-02

35. Next – What do you See? PPT-034-02

36. You Make the Call! Safe or Not? NO!!!! Employee standing on bucket on top step of ladder-fall could injure 2 people. PPT-034-02

37. Problem or Not? Definite Problem! Very Unsafe! PPT-034-02

38. What may have happened? Maybe: Running down stairs? Not using handrail? Shoelaces untied? Object on stairs above? PPT-034-02

39. Is there a Problem Here? NO! Man standing on moveable stairs held up by forklift-very dangerous! PPT-034-02

40. Is this Safe? Absolutely NOT! This is a fall waiting to happen! PPT-034-02

41. You’ve got to be kidding? PPT-034-02

42. Last but not least PPT-034-02

43. Any Questions PPT-034-02