Addressing the most preventable causes of serious injury and death

Objective To point out the most common - and preventable - causes of serious injury and death related to slips, trips and falls SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Background According to OSHA: Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents They cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths They are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Many causes Ice, wet spots, grease, polished floors, loose flooring or carpeting, uneven walking surfaces, clutter, electrical cords, open desk drawers and filing cabinets, and damaged ladder steps SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Obvious controls, often ignored Keep walkways and stairs clear of scrap and debris; coil up extension cords, lines, and hoses when not in use; keep electrical and other wires out of the way; wear lug soles in icy weather; clear parking lots, stairs, and walkways in snowy weather; and use salt/sand as needed. SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Housekeeping Keep walkways, paths, emergency exits clear Coil unused extension cords, hoses, rope Keep equipment and tools off steps, landings, or below ladders Keep work area clean and organized Immediately clean spills, use wet floor signs Remove frayed or loose rugs or mats Use absorbent material around leaky equipment SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Uneven walking surfaces Identify changes in elevation with reflective tape or paint Mark anything greater than a ¼ inch Remove trip hazards in shop i.e. bolts or holes in flooring Wear above-the-ankle lace-up boots with a heavy lug sole when working in the field Tennis shoes or pull-on style boots are not effective in preventing slips or ankle sprains SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Uneven walking surfaces Step over or around obstructions For better balance, keep hands at your sides, not in your pockets Walk, don't run - and change directions slowly. Pay attention to what you're doing and where you are going Look out for broken concrete, manholes, uncovered drains and similar hazards SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Ladders Never carry equipment or other material when climbing up or down Have them handed to you or use a rope to raise or lower Face the ladder and use a three point stance when climbing up or down Never over-reach when working from a ladder Climb down and move the ladder closer SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Ladders Make sure ladder is on stable ground Make sure your shoes and the rungs are free of mud, oil or grease NEVER stand on the top two rungs Have another employee hold the ladder or secure it by tying it off SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Stairs Keep stairs clear at all times Do not use stairs as storage areas Always use the hand railing Don't carry anything that blocks your vision Keep stairs free from water, oil, grease, mud or anything else that might create a slip hazard SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Dovetail ramps Don’t jump off Always use a three-point contact Walk slowly and avoid running Avoid walking on diamond plating, unless painted with an anti-skid paint Keep clear of debris and equipment SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

General prevention tips Stay away from the edges of loading docks, manholes, and similar places Use a ladder (not box or chair) to reach high places Don't jump from platforms Don't carry/push loads that block your vision Identify potential hazards before work starts Use salt to prevent ice build-up on walkways Step flat-footed, not heel or toe down first SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Review Immediately clean up slip hazards Pick up trip hazards (tools, cords) Inspect and use ladders safely Do not jump off equipment Always watch where you are going Use shoe with good ankle support and good treads SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.