1. Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls in the Workplace
Presents:
Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls in the Workplace
It’s the sudden stop that hurts!
Dan Paul,
Sr. Loss Prevention Consultant

2. Slip, Trip and Fall Accident Facts
Slips, trips and falls account for 15-20% of all workers’ compensation costs.
Slips, trips and falls account for nearly 25% of all serious disabling work injuries.
The average direct cost of one disabling slip, trip and fall injury approaches $10,000. (Conservative estimates are that indirect costs may be as much as four times this amount)

3. Slip, Trip and Fall Accident Facts
Most injuries are sprains and strains
The back is the most frequently injured part of the body.
Type of fall % Male % Female
Same Level Falls 59% %
Falls From Elevation 79% %

4. Significance of Falls In 1998, falls accounted for: 16,274 deaths
37% of fatalities
16% of all work–related injuries in the United States
11% of all low back pain claims and 12% of all low back pain costs were from same level slips & falls.

5. Significance of Slips & Falls
Workers’ Comp Claims Cost Frequency
Manual Material Handling % %
Slips & Falls – Same Level % %
Slips & Falls – Elevation % %
Struck By/Against % %
Repetitive Trauma % %
Motor Vehicle Accidents % %
From Liberty Mutual Research Center for Safety & Health

6. Same Level Falls Types of same levels falls include:
Slips and fall
Trips and fall
Step and fall
These type of falls occur during:
Routine walking
Walking on wet or slippery surfaces
Material Handling

7. Same Level Falls Same level falls are the most frequent to occur.
The injuries and costs associated with these incidents are not as great as for elevated falls.
Parking lots account for 15% of all same level falls.
60% of these falls are the result of walking on snow & ice.

8. Same Level Falls Same level falls are commonly caused by:
Walking to fast or running
Rapid changes in direction
Wet or slippery conditions
Not watching where we are going
Inadequate housekeeping
Carrying objects which obstruct our vision
Inadequate lighting
Failure to use handrails

9. Same Level Falls
Common same level falls while working “outdoors” include:
Falls while walking to and from buildings
Falls while working on uneven surfaces
Falls while carrying freight
Falls while fueling vehicles and equipment
Falls during times of inclement weather

10. Slip & Fall
Slips and falls are primarily caused by a loss in the traction between the shoe and the walking surface. The center of gravity is thrown out of balance resulting in a fall.
Slips and falls occur when:
The front foot slips forward
The rear foot slips backward
This is often compounded by wearing the wrong footwear.

11. Slip and Fall
Micro slips – Are less than 3 centimeters in length. Occur frequently when we walk and usually go undetected.
Slip – Are from 3-10 centimeters in length. We are aware of the slip and instinctively take corrective action.
Slide – Are greater that 10 centimeters in length. Caused by uncontrolled forward, backward or sideways movement and leads to falls.

12. Coefficient of Friction
Coefficient of Friction (COF) is the amount of traction present between the footwear and the walking surface.
A COF of .40 to .50 is needed for good traction.
A brushed concrete floor and a rubber sole will often have a COF greater than 1.0
A smooth surface such as ice and a leather sole may have a COF as low as .10.

13. Trip & Fall
Trips and falls occur when the front foot strikes an object and suddenly stops. The upper body is thrown forward and a fall occurs.
As little as 3/8” rise in a walkway can cause a person to “stub” their toe resulting in a trip and fall.

14. Step & Fall
Step and falls occur when the front foot lands on a surface that is lower than expected. This causes the body to be thrown forward, often resulting in a fall.
They also occur when we step forward or down, and the side of the foot lands on an object higher than the other side. The ankle turns and we fall forward or sideways.

15. Routine Walking
Slips and falls during routine walking occur when there is a loss in the traction between the shoe and the walking surface.
The primary key to preventing slips and falls during routine walking is to:
Wear appropriate footwear
Observe the walking surface
Identify potential hazards such as holes, rocks, ice, water, etc. and walk around them whenever possible.

16. Slippery Surfaces
When surfaces such as mud, snow, ice, water, oil, etc. are present:
The COF is greatly reduced
The likelihood of slips and falls is greatly increased, particularly on stairs, ramps, slopes, parking lots and steel.
Tripping hazards may not be visible
Ground imperfections can be hidden

17. Snow and Ice Do not take flat surfaces for granted:
Accident studies indicate that almost 80% of slips and falls due to snow and ice occur in parking lots or sidewalks.
Be aware of your surroundings
Sloped surfaces
Roof drains
North side of buildings

18. Material Handling
Employees who perform manual material handling tasks are exposed to not only back strains and sprains, but also slips, trips and falls.
Slips, trips and falls can occur when:
The freight being carried is so large it blocks your view
There is not a clear pathway to be traveled
The walking surface is slippery or uneven

19. Material Handling Falls associated with material handling include:
Falls on slick surfaces
Falls from equipment
Falls from ladders
Falls from docks and elevated work platforms
Falls on stairs

20. Material Handling
Use a hand cart or other mechanical device whenever possible.
Carefully observe walking surfaces to identify any holes, raised elevations, sloping surfaces or slippery surfaces that may be present.
Do not carry loads that block your vision.

21. Material Handling
When using a cart to move material on ramps, push the cart up the ramp, and back the cart down the ramp. (It is more difficult to control a heavy load going down a ramp when you are above the load than when you are below the load)
Take small steps rather than large ones, especially when working on slippery surfaces.

22. Same Level Falls - Prevention
Wear proper footwear
Evaluate your path
Look for obstacles such as rocks, holes, oil, water, cords or other debris
Avoid walking to fast or running
Don’t carry objects that block your view
Use hand rails when they are available

23. Elevated Falls
Elevated falls do not occur as frequently as same level falls. The resulting injuries and costs are however, usually greater.

24. Elevated Falls Common elevated falls in the workplace include:
Falls from vehicles and equipment
Falls from ladders
Falls from docks and elevated work platforms
Falls on stairs

25. Falls From Equipment
Accidents happen in four major ways. These include:
Jumping from the equipment.
Losing balance when climbing onto or off of the equipment.
Slipping as weight is transferred when climbing onto or off of the equipment.
Packing or carrying items while climbing onto or off of the equipment.

26. Entering & Exiting Equipment
When entering or exiting equipment you should:
Make sure the climbing and landing surfaces are not slippery or rough due to snow, ice, oil, potholes, rocks, etc.
Get a firm grip with your hand before stepping up (Not just your fingertips)
Always face the vehicle (Climb out in the same manner you entered)
Use the Three-Point System

27. Three-Point System The Three-Point System ensures that:
Three limbs are in contact with the vehicle or equipment at all times.
One hand and two feet, or
Two hands and one foot
Allows for maximum stability and support
Should be used when climbing onto or off of any piece of equipment.

28. Falls From Ladders
Falls from ladders can usually be attributed to one of the following:
Improper ladder placement
Failure to secure the ladder
Carrying materials
Missing or damaged rungs
Uneven ground or slippery surfaces
Reaching too far
Standing on the top rung

29. Falls From Ladders Prior to using a ladder you should:
Inspect the ladder for cracks or loose rungs.
Ensure that feet are equipped with slip-resistant pads.
Set the base of the ladder firmly so that it cannot slip or settle into soft ground. (Straight ladders should be secured to the object supporting them)
Set straight ladders at, or as near as, a 4:1 angle as possible.

30. Falls From Ladders When using a ladder you should:
Climb with both hands on the ladder. (Do not climb with objects in your hand)
Never stand on the top three rungs of a straight ladder or the top two steps of a step-ladder.
Always face the ladder when climbing or descending.

31. Falls From Docks & Elevated Work Platforms
Common dock and elevated work platform hazards include:
Slips and falls caused by wet or oily surfaces
Falls from dock or platform edges
Falls caused by unsecured dock plates
When working on docks and elevated work platforms, be aware of not only what you are doing, but what others around you are doing as well.

32. Falls From Docks & Elevated work Platforms
When working on loading docks, you should:
Walk, do not run
Stay away from dock or platform edges
Be aware of others working in the area
Secure moveable dock plates
Not jump onto or off of the dock or platform
Not indulge in horseplay

33. Falls on Stairs Falls on stairs are usually associated with:
Missing or defective handrails
Defective treads and risers
Inappropriate tread width and riser height
Debris or liquid on treads
Carrying materials while ascending or descending the stairs
Not using the handrail

34. Falls on Stairs When using stairs:
Use the handrail for support whenever possible.
Never run up or down the stairs.
Don’t carry materials that block your view.
Don’t jump from stairs.
Avoid carrying heavy or bulky items that require the use of both hands, whenever possible.

35. Footwear Wear proper footwear. This means slip-resistant soles.
Select shoes to fit the surface on which you are walking.
The harder and smoother the bottom of the shoe, the more slippery it is.
Leather soles tend to be very slippery
Soft rubber soles generally provide better traction.
When selecting work shoes, examine the coefficient of friction (COF) rating.

36. Review
Slips, trips and falls account for 10-12% of all workers’ compensation costs?
True
False
False: 15-20% of all workers’ compensation costs are related to slips, trips and falls.

37. D. None of the above – The back is the most commonly injured.
Review
Which body part is the most commonly injured due to slips, trips and falls?
A. Shoulder
B. Knee
C. Head
D. None of the above
D. None of the above – The back is the most commonly injured.

38. False: Same level falls are the most frequent to occur.
Review
Elevated falls are the most frequent to occur?
True
False
False: Same level falls are the most frequent to occur.

39. Review When handling freight, slips, trips and falls can occur when:
A. The freight being carried blocks your view
B. There is not a clear path to be traveled
C. The walking surface is slick or uneven
D. All of the above
D - All of the above

40. Review
Elevated falls do not occur as frequently as same level falls but the resulting injuries are usually more severe.
True
False
True – Fall from height injuries can lead to permanent disability or even death.

41. Review
The Three-Point Rule should only be used during time of inclement weather?
True
False
False – The Three-Point Rule should be used whenever you enter or exit equipment or vehicles.

42. Review Falls from ladders are commonly the result of:
A. Improper ladder placement
B. Reaching too far
C. Carrying materials
D. All of the above
D. All of the above

43. Review When using stairs you should:
A. Use the handrail for support whenever possible
B. Never run up or down the stairs
C. Carry materials that block you view
D. All of the above
A and B – Use the handrail whenever possible and never run up or down the stairs

44. B – Leather soles tend to be very slippery.
Review
Which of the following is false?
A. The harder and smoother the bottom of the shoe, the more slippery it is.
B. Leather soles tend to provide good traction
C. Soft rubber soles tend to provide the best traction
D. All of the above
B – Leather soles tend to be very slippery.

45. Review
To reduce the chance of same level slips, trips and falls you should:
A. Inspect the walking surface
B. Select proper footwear
C. Walk with your hands in your pockets
D. Maintain a clean work environment
A, B & D – Walking with your hands in your pockets increases the likelihood of slips, trips and falls.

46. Thank You . . .
Your participation has made this workshop a Great Success!