Slips, Trips, and Falls

Section I Introduction 2

Introduction Hazards of slips, trips, and falls Hazards of slips, trips, and falls Ways to avoid the hazards Ways to avoid the hazards 3

Fall Factors Friction Momentum Gravity 4

Section II Slips 5

What happens when you slip Loss of balance caused by too little friction 6

Why slips occur Loss of traction –Wet surfaces –Spills –Weather hazards 7

What happens when you slip Potential solutions –Practice safe walking skills –Clean up spills –Keep grease off shop floors –Be cautious on smooth surfaces 8

Preventing slips Use appropriate footwear Use appropriate footwear Increase friction between shoes and walking surface Increase friction between shoes and walking surface 9

Preventing slips Strap-on cleats Strap-on cleats Non-skid boots Non-skid boots Proper footwear selection Proper footwear selection 10

Preventing slips Floor Finishes Floor Finishes –Cleaning –Waxing 11

Section III Trips 12

How trips occur When a person trips: When a person trips: –Worker’s foot hits an object –Balance is thrown off –Creates momentum to fall 13

Why trips occur Cluttered work areas Cluttered work areas Poor lighting Poor lighting Area has loose footing Area has loose footing 14

Why trips occur Worker is in a hurry Worker is in a hurry Worker is inattentive Worker is inattentive 15

Preventing trips Be sure you can see over the load you are carrying Be sure you can see over the load you are carrying Ensure adequate lighting Ensure adequate lighting Keep work areas free of clutter/litter Keep work areas free of clutter/litter 16

Preventing trips Keep furniture and equipment out of walkways/traffic areas Keep furniture and equipment out of walkways/traffic areas Tape down extension cords or keep them out of walkways Tape down extension cords or keep them out of walkways 17

Preventing trips Eliminate loose footing on stairs, steps, floors Eliminate loose footing on stairs, steps, floors Properly store ramps and gangplanks in loading dock areas Properly store ramps and gangplanks in loading dock areas 18

Section IV Falls 19

Why falls occur Person moves too far away from center of balance Person moves too far away from center of balance Caused by: Caused by: –Makeshift ladders –Misuse of ladders –Poor climbing habits –Improper scaffolding use 20

Preventing falls Don’t jump from elevations Don’t jump from elevations –Docks –Trucks –Work stages Ensure adequate lighting Ensure adequate lighting 21

Preventing falls Repair or report loose or broken stairs, handrails Repair or report loose or broken stairs, handrails Don’t use stairs/aisles as storage areas Don’t use stairs/aisles as storage areas Wear appropriate footwear Wear appropriate footwear 22

Section V Stair Hazards 23

Prevent injury on stairs Use handrails whenever possible Use handrails whenever possible Walk up and down stairs; don’t run Walk up and down stairs; don’t run Ensure you can see over the load you are carrying Ensure you can see over the load you are carrying 24

Prevent injury on stairs Report unsafe conditions, including broken: Report unsafe conditions, including broken: –Stair treads –Floor boards –Handrails 25

Section VI Ladders and Scaffolds 26

Ladder safety Don’t use makeshift ladders Don’t use makeshift ladders –Don’t pile up boxes, chairs, benches Inspect ladders before use Inspect ladders before use –Don’t use one with missing or broken rungs 27

Ladder safety Face the ladder when climbing Face the ladder when climbing Use both hands on ladders Use both hands on ladders Hoist materials up to you Hoist materials up to you 28

Ladder safety Keep your center of balance near ladder Keep your center of balance near ladder Adjust position of ladder – don’t overreach Adjust position of ladder – don’t overreach Use the four-to-one rule Use the four-to-one rule –For every foot up, have 3 inches (1/4 foot) out 29

Ladder safety One person at a time on a ladder One person at a time on a ladder Don’t stand on top step of ladder Don’t stand on top step of ladder When not using the ladder, stay away to avoid falling objects When not using the ladder, stay away to avoid falling objects 30

Scaffold safety Check scaffolding daily for defects Check scaffolding daily for defects Clear work surfaces of snow, ice, slippery materials Clear work surfaces of snow, ice, slippery materials 31

Scaffold safety Respect the load limits of scaffolds Respect the load limits of scaffolds Lock wheels/casters on mobile scaffolding Lock wheels/casters on mobile scaffolding 32

Section VII Summary 33

Summary of main points Fall factors Fall factors Why slips occur Why slips occur Why trips occur Why trips occur 34

Summary of main points Why falls occur Why falls occur Hazards of stairs Hazards of stairs Ladder and scaffold safety Ladder and scaffold safety 35

Questions 36