1. Evaluating Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards
Module 3
Evaluating Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

2. Objectives After completing this module, you will be able to:
Identify the three types of evaluation you can perform in your organization.
Identify the factors that influence the slipperiness of floors.
Identify the different floor types and their level of slip resistance.

3. Objectives—cont’d
Understand how the coefficient of friction can be used to determine the slipperiness of a floor.
Identify the lighting standards for both general and emergency illumination.
Use the critical inventory method for evaluating slip, trip and fall hazards.

4. Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention
Recognize
Evaluate

5. Evaluate Parts of an Organization
This is an evaluation of a specific item or area in your organization.
For example, you could assess the slipperiness of a floor, the safety of a ladder or the lighting in stairwell.
Use established standards.

6. Evaluate an Existing Hazard
This evaluation assesses the likelihood and extent of the harm a hazard might cause.
For example, test a known hazard on floor, in a stairwell, etc.
Use the critical inventory method.

7. Evaluate the Organization
This is an evaluation of your entire organization to determine where hazards exist.
For example, you could use Job Safety Analysis or Safety Inspection.
Use a checklist.

8. Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls

9. Factors of Floor Slipperiness
Floor material
Floor finish
Floor texture and pattern
Floor slope
Floor contaminants
Floor condition
Environmental conditions
Footwear of person
Footstep of person

10. What Makes a Floor Safe?

11. Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute
The James Machine
Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute

12. Horizontal Drag Meter
Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute

13. BOT-3000
Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute

14. Portable Inclinable Articulated Strut
Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute

15. Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute
English XL
Photo used with permission from the National Floor Safety Institute

16. ©2006

17. Poor General Lighting
A slip, trip or fall may occur if a walking surface is poorly lit and it causes a person not to see an obstacle.

18. Poor Emergency Lighting
A slip, trip or fall may occur if an organization’s electricity fails in an emergency and employees can’t see their way out.

19. Foot Candle
A foot candle represents the amount of light or brightness that a birthday cake candle generates from a distance of one foot.

20. Factor 1: Severity
A measure of how dire or severe the consequences would be if the hazard caused an incident

21. Factor 2: Exposure
The number of employees who are exposed to the hazard, and the number of times they are exposed

22. The likelihood that the hazard will result in an incident
Factor 3: Probability
The likelihood that the hazard will result in an incident

23. Severity? Exposure? Probability?
Photo used with permission of Marsh USA, Inc.

24. Photo used with permission of Marsh USA, Inc.
Case Study
Photo used with permission of Marsh USA, Inc.

25. General Rule
Slips and trips happen frequently, but tend not to be severe.
Falls happen infrequently, but tend to be severe.

26. Overcoming the Barriers
Action Plan
Action
Potential Barriers
Overcoming the Barriers