SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS Marissa Salo Morgan, MS Safety and Health Specialist Montana Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety and Health Bureau.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

Marissa Salo Morgan, MSSafety and Health Specialist Montana Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety and Health BureauSafety Fest 2010 - Missoula

HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING?

• Better than this…I hope

LEGAL

OSH Act• Sec 5(a) Each employer…

o (1) shall furnish each of his/her employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to his/her employees;

o (2) shall comply with the occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.

• (b) Each employee... o shall comply with occupational safety and health

standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his/her own actions and conduct

CFR 1910.22 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• (a) Housekeeping.o All places of employment, shall be kept clean,

orderly and sanitary.o The floor shall be clean and, so far as possible

dryo Every floor shall be kept free from protruding

nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards.

CFR 1910.22 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• (b) Aisles and passageways.o Sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed.

Aisles shall be kept clear and in good repairs

• (c) Covers and guardrails.o Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to

protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.

ECONOMICAL

DEFINITIONS

WHAT ARE SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS?

• Slipo Occurs when there is too little traction or friction

between the shoe and walking surface.

• Tripo Occurs when a person’s foot contacts an object in

their way or drops to a lower level unexpectedly.

• Fallo Occurs when you are too far off balance.

HOW DO FALLS HAPPEN?

• Both slops and trips result from some a kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface.

TYPES OF FALLS

• Same Levelo When you fall to the surface you are walking

on. Same level falls are more common.

• From Elevationo When you fall to a level below the one you are

walking on. Falls from elevation are more severe.

NATIONAL STATISTICS

FALLS

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips and falls are the most common occupational accident.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 234,840 employees suffered non-fatal injuries in the work environment in 2008.

• The Bureau reported that 579 (preliminary) employees died from a fall in 2009.

MONTANA STATISTICS

Reference: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations Division, Worker’s Compensation Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2009 .

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS FOR MONTANA

2009

• 22.6% of work injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls.

2008

• 21.3% of work injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls.

21.3%

Reference: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations Division, Worker’s Compensation Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2009 and 2008.

SLIPS

CAUSES OF SLIPS

• There are many different causes of slips.• Here are just a few examples:

o Wet spills or contamination on floors: Water Mud Oil/grease Food, etc.

o Dry contamination on floors: Dusts Wood, Powders, etc.

CAUSES OF SLIPS

Loose, unanchored mats

Transitioning from one surface to another

Dirty shoes

Highly polished floors

Little traction

CAUSES OF SLIPS

• Environmental factors:o Rain, snow, frost, ice

• Irregular surfaces, such as gravel or bricks

CAUSES OF SLIPS

• Loose tiles or floorboards that can shift• Ramps without skid or slip resistant surfaces• Metal surfaces

ACTIVITY

• How is your traction…??

TRIPS

CAUSES OF TRIPS

• There are many factors that contribute to trips.

• Here are a few examples:o Uncovered cables,

wires or extension cords

o Clutter, obstacles in walkways

CAUSES OF TRIPS

• Irregular walking surfaces• Changes in elevation (e.g., unmarked steps)• Damaged steps• Non-uniform or irregular steps:

o Varying tread depth, varying height

CAUSES OF TRIPS

• Carpets or mats that are not lying flat or have rolled up edges

• Missing or uneven floor tiles• Uneven surfaces

CAUSES OF TRIPS

• Objects protruding from walking surfaces• Sidewalk/curb drops• Uneven surfaces

SLIPS, TRIPS….AND FALLS

ACTIVITY

• Can you get in your vehicle…?

MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING SAFELY

• Make sure your shoes are clean of any mud, snow, grease, or any other slippery substance.

• Make sure the step, foothold or platform that you will be using is also clean, free of defects and properly secured.

• Always face the equipment when mounting or dismounting.

• Have a firm hold with your hands and step up, placing your foothold under the arch.

• Keep three points of contact at all times.

• Do not jump off while dismounting – step down carefully while facing the equipment.

RISK FACTORS

RISK FACTORS THAT COULD INCREASE STF

• Age• Body shape, size and mass• Walking dynamics• Physical condition, illness• Psychological factors, stress and

distractions• Medications, alcohol or drug effects• Visual perception

RISK FACTORS THAT COULD INCREASE STF

• Poor lighting• Glare• Using bulky equipment or awkward clothing, PPE• Loud noise or distraction• Temperature or precipitation• Traffic type or volume• Change in elevation while walking

HUMAN FACTORS

HUMAN FACTORS

• Poor housekeeping• Using improper cleaning processes• Failing to use signs when slip, trip, and fall

hazards are present• Inattentive walking• Taking shortcuts• Being in a hurry

HUMAN FACTORS

• Improper footwear for work environments or environmental conditions.

ACTIVITY

• What are some solutions…?

PREVENTION TECHNIQUES

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS ARE PREVENTABLE!

Here are some prevention techniques:• Mapping• Safety Inspections• Hazard Elimination• Good housekeeping• Proper floor mats• Non-slip materials

MAPPINGMapping is an excellent method for identifying problem areas. Overtime recording where and when slips, trips, or falls occur will help you identify and reduce the hazards.• First, obtain a drawing of the floor plan including the parking lot.

MAPPING

• Second, start a log where you can record each slip, trip and/or fall. The log should record the following:o Whoo Whereo Wheno What they were doingo Conditions during the fallo Assign a unique number/letter to each incident

MAPPING

• Third, mark the map with the identification number to indicate where the slip, trip, and/or fall happened.

Overtime, you will be able to identify the problems. This information can be used to take corrective actions.

SAFETY INSPECTIONS

• Develop a policy for conducting safety inspections.

• Conduct safety inspections.

• Some areas of the facility may need to be checked more often than others.

• Document when the safety inspections are conducted.

• Eliminate the hazard.

HAZARD ELIMINATION

• Keep all aisles and walkways free of debris • Clean up all spills immediately• Install guard rails around openings • Keep working areas and walkways well lit• Cover cables that cross walkways• Keep stairs free of clutter• Spread sand and/or salt on icy surfaces

HOUSEKEEPING

Keep the place of employment clean and sanitary.

• Develop cleaning schedules• Assign a spot for everything• Remove garbage, out of service equipment, broken tool, etc.

from the worksite• Install non-slip materials

FLOOR MATS

• Entry mats should be long enough to clean shoes; 12 steps

• Use open holed mats in wash areas or in font of ice machines

• Removable high friction mats could be used in walk in freezers

• Anti fatigue mats should not be so thick as to pose a tripping hazard

FLOOR MATS

Entryway

Office/Plant

Cafeteria/Restaurants

Cushion

NON-SLIP MATERIALS

• Consider non-slip shoes for areas where the floors maybe slick or wet

• Provide a traction device for slippery shoes in winter months

• Apply non-slip material to ramps, steps, etc… o Painto Tapeso Treads

TIPS

TIPS TO PREVENT INJURIES

• Exercise daily to improve strength, flexibility and balance

• Stretch daily

• Choose low-impact exercises to help improve balance and reduce stress on joints (e.g., yoga, Pilates)

IF YOU ARE FALLING…

• Tuck your chin in, turn your head, and throw an arm up.

• While falling, twist or roll your body to the side. • Keep your wrists, elbows and knees bent. Do not try

to break the fall with your hands or elbows. • Don’t move if you think you’ve hurt yourself. Wait for

help.

ACTIVITY

• A-Z List…

CONCLUSION

• Slips, trips, and falls can be prevented if you are alert and safety conscious!

• Pay attention to your movements and surroundings. Remove potential hazards from your path so you, and others won’t be injured by slips, trips, and falls.