1. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS (Losing your Balance, Traction or Grip)
Types of Falls: Elevated falls-
Less frequent but more severe
Same level falls-
More frequent but usually less severe

2. Loss of traction and balance
Slip and Fall
Caused by slippery surface
Compounded by wrong footwear
Front foot slips forward and person falls backward
Rear foot slips back and person falls
Loss of traction and balance

3. Trip and Fall Front foot strikes an object and stops
Upper body is thrown forward and fall occurs
Slight rise in a walkway can cause a person to stub his toe
Loosing your balance

4. Step and Fall Front foot lands on surface lower than expected
Usually falls forward
Foot lands on inside or outside of foot causing ankle to turn
Usually falls forward and to the side

5. Contributing Factors Proper housekeeping Adequate lighting
Carrying oversized objects that obstruct vision
Wrong footwear
Walking too fast-running
Not using handrails
Not watching where one is going

6. Falls From Ladders
Ladders long enough that waist is no higher than the top rungs or upper support
Do not use top three rungs of straight ladder or top two steps of a step-ladder
Lower end of rails have slip-resistant pads
Belt buckle never extends beyond side rails
Tying off ladder prevents sliding to side
Ladder set at 4:1 ratio

7. Falls From Vehicles and Equipment
Keep steps clean and as dry as possible
Have good handholds
Always face the vehicle
Use “Three-Point Contact”
Step down backwards, never jump down
forward
No riders in bed of truck or on running boards-Must have seatbelts!

8. Falls From Loading Docks
Often wet surfaces
Stepping backwards off dock
Railing replaced after truck unloaded
Housekeeping and traffic patterns
Skid-resistant surfaces reduce risk

9. Falls on Stairs Well-lighted Sturdy handrails on both sides
Person using should have one hand free
Steps should have same rise and depth
Visible edges
Kept free of obstacles
Carry smaller, lighter loads

10. Fixed Ladders Securely attached to structure
Supporting a minimum of 250 pounds
Rungs min. 16”wide and max.12” apart
7” of toe space from rung to structure
More than 20’ above ground-caged
Workers should have both hands free while climbing

11. Fall Protective Devices
Protective cage
Lifeline
Lanyard
Harness
Handrails
Toe boards

12. Signs and Stripping Safety signs where hazards exist
Yellow stripping to identify walking and working areas
No objects placed in stripped area
Dropped or spilled materials removed immediately

13. Learning How to Fall
Tuck your chin in, Turn your head, and throw an arm up. It’s better to land on your arm than on your head
While falling, twist or roll your body to the side. It’s better to land on your buttocks and side
Keep wrists, elbows and knees bent. Don’t try to break your fall with hands or elbows

14. Recommendations Regular inspections of work and walking areas
Proper footwear
No riders unless a safe seat or workstation is provided
All slips, trips and falls should be reported immediately and corrective action taken.

16. Safe Start These four states…..
Rushing, Frustration, Fatigue and Complacency
Can cause or contribute to these critical errors….
Eyes not on Task, Mind not on Task, Line-of-Fire, Balance/Traction/Grip
Which increase the risk of injury.

17. Safe Start Critical Error Reduction Techniques….
Self-trigger on the state or the amount of hazardous energy
Analyze close calls and small errors
Look at others for the patterns that increase the risk of injury
Work on habits