1. Fall Protection Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.21-24 1
© 2006, 2010 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. 1

2. Danger of Falls
Nearly 25 percent of all seriously disabling work injuries
300,000 disabling injuries each year in the United States
Second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death
Expensive, disruptive, painful and sometimes tragic – whether on or off the job
Slips, trips and falls are among the most frequent types of accidents in the workplace and outside of it. It is important to remember how dangerous they can be – they are second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death and second in the number of disabling injuries in the workplace.
For this reason a Fall Prevention Program is in place to reduce the number and seriousness of injuries from slips, trips and falls in our facility. 2

3. Today’s Agenda In today’s session, we’ll be discussing: Types of falls
Preventing slips
Preventing trips
Falls from ladders
Falls from equipment
Falls from loading docks
Falls on stairs
Safety footwear 3

4. Types of Falls Same-Level Falls Elevated Falls
High frequency, low severity
Slips or trips on walking/working surface
Elevated Falls
Low frequency, high severity
>60 percent are less than 10 feet
Same-level falls are the most frequent, but elevated falls tend to result in more severe injuries. Same-level falls are on walking and working surfaces in 76 percent of accidents. Most elevated falls are from ladders, and some are from vehicles and other mobile equipment.
The back is the most frequently injured body part in falls, followed by one of the joints. Most injuries are sprains and strains, but many are fractures. The average cost for one disabling injury is close to $10,000 and indirect costs can more than double this cost.
It is clear, then, why it is very important to take steps to prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace. 4

5. Slips Usually caused by a slippery surface Two types of slips
Front foot heel slips, person falls backward
Rear foot slips backward, person falls forward
Prevention through dry walking and working surfaces
Non-skid strips or floor coatings
Prevention through slip-resistant footwear
Cleated, soft rubber soles
Slips are primarily caused by a slippery surface and can be compounded by wearing the wrong footwear. Either the foot contacts the walking surface at an angle near the rear edge of the heel and slips forward, or the rear foot slips backward.
To prevent slips, it is important to achieve a high coefficient of friction between the shoe and walking surface. On ice, wet and oily surfaces, it can be as low as .10 with shoes that are not slip-resistant. To put this in perspective, a brushed concrete surface with a rubber heel can be more than 1.0, and leather soles on a wet, smooth surface can be as low as .10.
Dry walking and working surfaces and slip-resistant footwear are the best measures of prevention of dangerous slips in the workplace. Non-skid strips or floor coatings are often used to increase the friction on the walking or working surface. 5

6. Trips, Step and Fall
Trips occur when front foot strikes an object, stopping it.
Causes of trips:
As little as 3/8” rise in a walkway
Difference in height of stairs
Objects in walkways
Step and fall occurs when front foot lands on a surface lower than expected
Fall results from a step forward or down, when inside or outside of foot lands on an object higher than the other side.
Trips can occur due to objects or rises in pathways or going up stairs. Only a slight difference in the height of steps and a person can cause a trip and fall.
Another type of working and walking surface fall is the step and fall, which occurs when the front foot lands on a surface lower than expected, such as unexpectedly stepping off a curb in the dark and falling forward. When the inside or outside of the food lands on an object higher than the other side, the ankle can turn, resulting in a fall forward or sideways. 6

7. Causes of Injury Slips Inadequate housekeeping Inadequate lighting
Carrying objects that obstruct vision
Walking too fast or running
Distractions, not watching, sunglasses, failure to use handrails
Trips
Let’s look at some of the causes of these injuries that we can prevent in the workplace. For each of these points, there are steps we can take to prevent slips, trips or falls. Can you name some of them?
Step and fall 7

8. Falls from Ladders Use only ANSI-approved ladders
Never use metal ladders where they could come into contact with electricity
Top three rungs/top two steps should never be used for standing
For each 4’ of rise, the base should be 1’ out
Ladder must be absolutely stable
Ladder must be thoroughly inspected before use
Use heeled shoes – rung goes just in front of heel
Face ladder while climbing, belt buckle between rails
Falls from ladders can be deadly. Follow all safety precautions whenever using a ladder, and always inspect it thoroughly for any damage or wear and tear before using it. Always have both hands free to hold the ladder’s side rails, not the rungs, while climbing or descending.
If you are carrying tools, put them in your belt. The best option is to raise tools and supplies using a rope. Never raise or lower power tools by the cord or while they are plugged into an electrical source. 8

9. Falls from Equipment
Extra riders falling from tractors, equipment or the bed of a truck can lead to death or serious injury
Safest way is no riders
If the operation requires riders, they must have seats or protected work areas
Many injuries occur due to slippery metal steps – keep them dry
Grip tightly with both hands before stepping up
Death or serious injury can result from extra riders falling from tractors, equipment or the bed of a truck. Never allow them unless absolutely necessary, and then only if the vehicle has seats for them.
Falls are common when mounting or dismounting vehicles. Keeping metal steps dry is a good way to keep yourself safe. Keep a good handhold and pull yourself up with both hands. 9

10. Falls from Loading Docks
Metal dock plates can be slippery, edges of plates can cause trips
Proper housekeeping, following traffic patterns, use of abrasive, skid-resistant surface
Loading docks and ramps are dangerous areas. They are frequently congested, traffic-heavy areas and walking and working areas are often wet. Accidental backward steps can result in a fall from the dock.
Proper housekeeping, following traffic patterns and wearing the right footwear will prevent slips, trips and falls. 10

11. Falls on Stairs Have one hand free at all times to hold on to handrail
Keep steps free of grease and oil
Avoid carrying bulky or heavy objects that obscure your vision or require both hands
A fall down a stairway can be extremely dangerous. Always have one hand free to hold onto the handrail, and never allow your view of the steps to be obscured by something you are carrying. Ensure that steps are always clean and free of liquids, grease and oil. 11

12. Additional Fall Prevention
Use fall protection devices when working at high elevation: ladders, platforms, catwalks
Protection system could be: a protective cage, lifeline, lanyard or safety belt/harness
Change warning signs often and remove when no longer applicable  more effective
Whenever you’re at an elevation, such as on a ladder, platform or catwalk, you should be protected from a fall by some sort of device – this might be a protective cage, lifeline, lanyard or safety belt/harness. Fall protection devices must be used correctly whenever they are in place. 12

13. Safety Footwear Shoes and boots provide three types of protection:
Slip-resistant soles and heels
Crush-resisting toe
Ankle support
Always use ANSI-approved work shoes
Softer soles are for slippery indoor conditions
In wet environments or around chemicals, oils, greases or pesticides, wear PVC boots
ANSI sets standards for shoes and boots. Never purchase work shoes that do not meet these standards. It is best to purchase your shoes from a reputable dealer who handles only quality footwear. If the dealer understands your work environment, the clerk will be able to identify the correct pair of boots to protect you effectively.
Quality footwear is a cost, but it is much less costly and painful than a broken foot or other injuries from a slip, trip or fall. 13

14. What should I remember?
Regularly inspect working and walking areas to identify slip, trip and fall hazards
Prioritize housekeeping and clean up spills immediately
Be sure you always have good light and nothing is blocking your view of your path
Follow all precautions when using equipment
If you see a hazard, correct it if possible or inform a supervisor immediately
Always wear proper PPE, especially proper footwear
Report any injuries immediately so The Lilly Company can prevent future incidents
Let’s go over some ways that you can prevent serious injury. Keeping the danger of slips, trips and falls in mind will help you to recognize hazards when you see them, saving you or a co-worker a painful, costly injury. 14