1. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS MODULE 2

2. Ways to prevent slips, trips, and falls: Designing the workplace and work processes Good housekeeping; maintaining clear pathways Safe walking practices Wearing proper footwear Falling “properly” Note: This “Slips, Trips, and Falls” module mainly cover falls caused by slips and trips and falls at the same level. Module Two will Cover:

3. – local exhaust ventilation – extraction/collection systems – enclosures – work surfaces with raised or lipped edges – catch/drip pans, drain offs Sander with dust collection system Use drip trays to prevent or contain leaks of lubricant onto the floor from machinery; perform regularly scheduled maintenance to keep in good condition. Contain work processes to prevent discharge, splatter, or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, dusts, etc. onto floor. Workplace/Work Process Design

4. Provide adequate lighting to keep work areas, aisles, and paths of travel well lit. Workplace/Work Process Design Have adequate ventilation to keep oil, steam condensation, water and grease off floor.

5. Mark/highlight step edges and transition areas (changes in elevations). Use anti- skid paint. Step edges are highlighted for better visibility to prevent a misstep and fall down the stairs. Make sure stairs have sufficient lighting and hand rails. Confusing the bottom step with the floor is a common occurrence when it’s not marked. No missing the last step here. Workplace/Work Process Design

6. Install slip-resistant floors in high risk areas (entrances, kitchens). Workplace/Work Process Design Provide effective floor draining where water on the floor will occur

7. Slip-resistant strips on steps Apply slip-resistant coating or strips. Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note highlighted edges for better visibility to prevent walking off ramp and falling. Workplace/Work Process Design

8. Use slip-/skid- resistant matting Skid-resistant, anti-fatigue mats in kitchen and food preparation areas. Worker is also wearing slip-resistant shoes. Workplace/Work Process Design

9. Wheelchair accessible curb leading to building entrance is highlighted and the surface is dimpled for better visibility and traction. Highlight or mark slip and trip hazards for better visibility. Workplace/Work Process Design

10. Keep walkways, aisles, and stairs clear of materials, equipment, and other hazards. Cover or secure (or suspend overhead on construction sites) cables, cords, wires, and hoses away from walkways and other paths of travel. Make sure rugs or mats are flat and not bunched up. Housekeeping Pathway is clearly marked and free of obstructions. Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping

11. Securely fasten unanchored loose rugs or mats with skid- resistant backing and carpet tape. Close desk, cabinet, and file drawers and doors immediately after each use. Keep the floor around work spaces free of boxes, cords, cables, materials, and other objects. Organized and tidy work space Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping

12.  Keep floors clean and free of water, mud, grease, debris, etc, and damage.  Clean spills immediately. Mop or sweep up any debris.  Repair any damages immediately, or replace if necessary.  Cone or block off area until surface is completely dry or repaired before allowing people to walk through the area. Floor/Work Surface Care Note: When mopping, avoid spreading the spillage and thus increasing the area of contamination. Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping

13. Clean surfaces according to recommended schedules. Follow cleaning and drying methods and procedures, using appropriate cleaning products. Remove signs and cones when area is dry. Use an adequate number of highly visible wet floor signs or cones. Maintaining Work Areas: Housekeeping

14.  Pay attention to your surroundings. Look where you are going when you walk. Watch for slip and trip hazards in your work area and wherever you walk. Walk, don’t run or rush. Give yourself enough time. Do not engage in activities that distract your attention. Do not read, write, or work while you are walking. Use the handrails when climbing or descending the stairs. Do not rush and skip steps. Safe Walking Practices

15.  Check that your pathway is clear and your view is not blocked before you lift anything.  Don’t carry a load you can’t see over or around. Use a cart. Carry small loads close to your body.  When going to another floor/level, take the elevator if you are carrying a load requiring both hands.  Report any missing or broken stair rails and slippery or damaged flooring, loose or deteriorating carpeting. Repair or report floor problems, such as missing tiles. Safe Walking Practices

16.  Walk carefully and slowly when you transition from one type of walking surface to another. Adjust your walking (pace, stride).  Take extra care when you come indoors with wet shoes or boots.  Slow down and take small careful steps if the surface is uneven, cluttered, slippery or at an angle.  Wear stable shoes with non-slip soles. Safe Walking Practices

17.  Wear high traction footwear  Take short, slow steps  Point your feet slightly outward to keep your center of balance under you  Pay attention to the surface you are walking on  Hold on to railings or other stable objects If you must walk on a slippery or wet surface, do the following: Safe Walking Practices

18. Clean footwear of mud, snow, ice, grease, or any other contamination. Make sure running board, tread, step, foothold, and platform of equipment are also clean and dry of any contamination. Always face equipment when mounting and dismounting. Have a good hand-hold before stepping up. Place your foot on the step or foothold just in front of your heel, under the arch. Clean shoes Clean foothold and step Proper foot placement on step and foothold Mounting/Dismounting Equipment Safely

19. Maintain three-point contact at all times while getting onto/off of the equipment until reaching ground, cab, or stable platform. Courtesy of Construction Safety Association of Ontario 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). Three-point contact: – one hand, two feet – two hands, one foot Mounting/Dismounting Equipment Safely

20. Clean footwear of mud & debris. Clean and dry rungs or steps. Face the ladder at all times. Have a good hand-hold before stepping up. Place your foot on the step or rung just in front of your heel, under the arch. Maintain three-point contact. Do not jump off ladder; step down carefully. Follow the same procedures for mounting and dismounting equipment as for climbing and descending ladders. Climbing/Descending Ladders Safely

21. Wearing proper shoes can help prevent or reduce the risk of a slip, trip, and fall incident. Footwear should fit snugly and comfortably. Wear slip-resistant shoes/boots with good tread. Keep your footwear clean and in good condition at all times. Inspect regularly for any damage; repair or replace worn or defective footwear. Replace shoes or soles before soles become worn smooth. Don’t wear shoes with: Leather or smooth- surfaced soles Spiked/high heels Taps on heels Wearing Proper Shoes

22. Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles or traction devices when walking or working on surfaces that are wet, greasy, icy, or other-wise slick (e.g., in kitchen areas, performing custodial work). No footwear has anti-slip properties for every condition so make sure that the proper type of footwear is selected for the work conditions and for the type of flooring or walking/working surface. Steel-toed safety boots with oil-resistant soles Slip-resistant traction devices for snow and ice that fit over the soles Wearing Proper Shoes

23. The table below shows some types of soles with increased traction properties. Consult with footwear manufacturers or your safety supplier for advice and assistance in selecting the appropriate type of footwear for your work place. Type of SoleTraction Properties neoprene soles work well on both wet and dry surfaces microcellular urethane, rubber soles the least slippery on level wet floors crepe soles best for rough concrete, not suggested for smooth tiled or wood surfaces oil-resistant soles working in a machine shop or other work area where there may be oil or other slippery substances on the floor Wearing shoes with increased traction does not substitute for safe walking practices! Wearing Proper Shoes

24.  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: Falling Properly

25. National Floor Safety Institute http://www.nfsi.org/http://www.nfsi.org/ OSHA – slips/trips/falls in hospitalsslips/trips/falls in hospitals State of Texas – slips, trips, and fallsslips, trips, and falls National Ag Safety Database – Preventing injuries from slips, trips and fallsPreventing injuries from slips, trips and falls National Safety Council – Checklist for recognizing slip, trip and fall hazardsChecklist for recognizing slip, trip and fall hazards Resources