1. Implementing a Slip & Fall Prevention Program
This program should be used in conjunction with the slips and falls video and the slips and falls prevention program

2. Objectives
Understand the impact of slips and falls in community and health care
Understand the factors that causes slip and fall and the importance of preventing them
Develop appropriate programs for slip and fall prevention
Determine control methods to prevent slips and falls.

3. Sharing Responsibility
Employer
provide, maintain and ensure equipment is provided
Provide information, instruction & supervision to protect worker
Do everything reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers
Supervisors
Ensure workers uses/wears equipment/PPE properly
Do everything reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers
Workers
Use equipment, report hazards and work safely
What laws apply?
Occupational Health and Safety Act does not specifically address falls however, the Act imposes requirements on employers s.25 & 26, supervisors s.27 and workers s.28.
Employers are responsible for setting up the system – building, processes and equipment- and being aware of the hazards that go with the system, including falls. The are required to inform everyone of the hazards and how to control them and to do everything reasonable under the circumstances in designing, and operating control systems and making sure they work.
Supervisors are to ensure that workers use and operate properly the control systems in that employer has set up, as well as do everything reasonable to prevent injury.
Workers must follow the rules and systems established, and report problems or situations where controls will not work to their employer or supervisor. Worker must not use any equipment that is not in working order.
Under the Health Care and Residential Facilities Regulation, which applies in many health care workplaces, slip and fall hazards are addressed in the following sections:
Sec : Work surfaces
Sec. 13(1), (2) and (3): Working at heights over three metres
Sec : Ladders
Sec : Housekeeping
In workplace settings that are not covered under the Health Care and Residential Facilities Regulation – such as offices and child care centres – the Industrial Establishments Regulation applies. Hazards related to slips and falls are addressed in the following Sections of that Regulation:
Sec. 11: Working surfaces and housekeeping
Sec. 13 and 14: Guardrails
Sec. 18, 19 and 73: Ladders, stairs
Sec. 85 and 86: Working at heights over three metres

4. Type of Lost Time Accidents in the Health Care & Community Services Sector, 2004
Accidents from slips and falls can cause serious injury and result in significant lost time. The potential for permanent injury and long-term suffering by employees, as well as high compensation costs, can negatively affect your organization’s bottom line.
Injuries may include cuts, bruises, muscle sprains and strains and fractures, and even fatalities. Clearly, the costs associated with worker absence due to slips and falls at work have a detrimental effect on budgets.
Slips and falls account for 17% of all workplace injuries in the community and health care sector
Data Source: WSIB Firm Experience
Snapshot Period: September 2005

5. Slip & Fall Accidents Costs
DIRECT COSTS
~$4000/claim
~4 weeks of lost time
Replacement worker
Replacement or repair of damaged property
Work accommodation for injured worker
MOL charges/fines
INDIRECT COSTS
Interruption or loss of service to client
Reduction in client care
Reduction in employee morale
Time spent in accident investigation, MOL orders
Increased workload on staff
4 times direct cost
Direct and indirect cost
Costs are high both human and financial terms.
All injuries impact WSIB surcharge or rebates (NEER, MAP).
Other costs include replacement worker cost, repairs to equipment, administrative time etc.

6. Factors affecting Slips and Falls
Walking Surfaces
Surface contaminants and cleaning methods
Footwear
Work environment
behaviour

7. RACE Recognize Assess Control Evaluate
A hazard is defined as a practice, behaviour, condition or situation that can contribute to and/or result in injury, illness or property damage. If a hazard is not properly identified or controlled, it has the potential to cause lost time, critical injuries and even fatality. The potential for a slip and fall will be influenced by walking and working surfaces, actions of people, type of footwear, contamination and cleaning methods, and the work environment.
RACE Exercise

8. Assessment Tools Observations and reported worker concerns
Incident and injury data
Workplace inspection reports
Accident investigation reports
WSIB records
Sector specific information
Laws & Standards
Manufacturer’s recommendations
Company policies and procedures
Staff information e.g. surveys
JHSC & Mgt. Inspections, observations

9. Some hazards can be assessed without the need for a risk assessment
Assess Slips and Falls
Some hazards can be assessed without the need for a risk assessment
Consider the following:
Is there a problem?
How bad is it?
Where do I start?
What do I do about it?

10. Control Slip & Fall Hazards
At the source:
Elimination, substitution, isolation
Along the path
Between the hazard and the worker
At the worker
Personal Protective Equipment
This is a critical step that can determine the success or failure of the entire hazard management program. If the controls implemented are not appropriate or if they do not eliminate the risks, injuries and/or illness will result.
Use risk identification and control strategies tool to determine appropriate controls

11. Evaluate Slips and Falls
Highlight the need for training in certain areas
Provide insight as to why accidents are occurring in particular areas-identify root cause
Establish priorities for corrective action
Assist in establishing or improving safe work practices
Indicate processes, procedures, equipment that may require more in depth hazard analysis

12. Group Exercise
RACE Exercise

13. Program Development
Develop policies and procedures
Communicate information to staff, visitors
Implement education/training
Build in an annual review
Promote, encourage and support workers and JHSC

14. Secure Mgmt. Commitment
Management commitment is:
The foundation of an effective program
Ensure resources are available to develop, implement and maintain the program (budget, human resources, materials, equipment, training, etc.)

15. Policies and Procedures
Walking and working surfaces
Lighting
Cleaning practices
Ladders
Footwear
Flooring
Office/administrative
Shower/bathroom
Dietary and laundry
Entrance/hallways
Parking/outdoor
Community

16. Training Safe work practices, e.g. housekeeping, clean up procedures
Hazard and incident reporting
Department specific rules
Selection, fit, use and care of protective equipment
Keep content current, create a positive learning environment and train on all a shift

17. Consequences of slip and fall hazards
Video
Slips and falls : not a trivial affair