Walking and Working Surfaces Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls on the Job

What’s the big deal about slips and falls? 20% of all accidental deaths are related to slips and falls. A California Workers’ Comp study revealed that work surfaces are the most common agent for job related injury. Not only are slips and falls a work problem; they are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the home.

Basic Definitions Slip - sliding of one or both feet on a surface Trip - the motion of the foot is interrupted during a step. Causes of Slips and Trips Sudden change of floor conditions Sudden change in floor elevation Obstructions in the walkway

Preventing Slips and Trips Be prepared for weather related problems Wet surfaces Ice/snow Mud Use slip resistant floor finishes and treatments Keep aisles and walkways clear

Focus points for Slip/Trip/Fall Injuries The normal line of sight is 15 degrees below the horizontal. The center of gravity for the human body is normally about 3 inches above the mid-point of the person’s height. Some common injury areas are: Stairs Scaffolds Ladders Roofs Tile and concrete floors

Safety on Stairs Stairs should be at the proper angle (30-35 degrees) Handrails should be provided Maintain at least 2 points of contact when walking on stairs Do not store materials on stairs Maintain good visibility

Safety on Ladders Contact Point Inspect ladders before use - Do Not Use Unsafe Equipment! Assure proper toe space Ladder angle should be 75 degrees maximum. Base of ladder should be 1 foot from wall for every 4 feet of vertical distance from the floor to the contact point. 20’ Wall Ladder 5’

Safety on Ladders Ladders should be on stable footing and straight ladders should be anchored to prevent tipping. Straight ladders should extend 3½ feet above the contact point. Do not stand on the top step of a step ladder. Do not lean over or reach/stretch while on a ladder. Maintain 3 points of contact when ascending or descending.

Elevated Areas and Platforms Scaffolds, mezzanines, and roof areas present hazards Persons falling from the area and objects falling form the area Striking the workers below. Basic precautions can minimize the hazards.

Elevated Area Safety Use covers on wall and floor opening to prevent falls. Use standard 42” guardrails on scaffolds and platforms. When necessary, use fall arrest systems (harnesses, safety belts, etc.) or safety nets to minimize impact injury from falling.

Special Concerns for Scaffolds Scaffolds must be properly constructed and braced. They must be level and on solid footing. Planking must be the proper grade of lumber and must be overlapped properly. Consult 29CFR1910.28 for scaffold specifications and requirements.

Summary Points Slips, Trips, and Falls account for a substantial portion of all accidents / injuries. Good housekeeping and common sense safety practices can eliminate most of the injuries. Communication and use of the proper equipment and procedures are the key to a successful Slip/Trip/Fall prevention program.