Copyright Progressive Business Publications Preventing slips, trips and falls.

Copyright Progressive Business Publications

Preventing slips, trips and falls


Painful and costly

Slips, trips and falls are the No. 1 workplace fatality

Many don’t take danger seriously

Accidents result in:– Lost work hours

– Lost wages

– Pain and suffering


Defining slips, trips and falls

Don’t always go hand-in-hand:

Slips – loss of balance on wet, slick surface

Trips – loss of balance caused by obstacle

Falls – usual result of slipping or tripping – but not always


Slip hazards

Slip hazards don’t belong in workplace

Most common slip hazards:

– Spill (water, soapy residue, chemicals, etc.)

– Oil or grease

– Worn surfaces

– Paper, debris


Identifying spills

Identify spill before acting– Make sure you know what it is

If it’s a chemical spill:– Don’t try cleaning it

– Mark the area

– Warn people

– Notify Facilities


Handling a spill

Don’t leave the scene

Mark the area (chair, cones, etc.)

Warn coworkers, others

Use mop, towels to dry small spills

Notify Facilities about bigger spills


Walking on slick surfaces

Walk slowly

Take short strides

Point feet outward

Extend arms for support

Check footwear


Trip hazards

Many trip hazards easy to spot:– Boxes in hallway

– Open drawers

– Litter

– Tools left out

Speak up when you see trip hazards


Built-in trip hazards

Steps:– Chips, cracks

– Worn traction strips

– Spills

Ramps– Spills

– Obstacles


Work station hazards

Check workstations for: – Carpet tears

– Extension cords

– Open drawers (desks, file cabinets)

Report problems to Facilities – there are easy fixes for many


Footwear

Tread protects against slips, trips

Don’t wear ‘worn’ shoes

Wearing right shoes?

Clean off oil, grease, dirt

Avoid high heels


Other risk factors

Lighting:

– Easy to miss hazards

– Slow down

Carrying objects:– Don’t block sight

– Make extra ‘trip’

Handrails:

– Use them – every time


Learning from near-misses

Near-misses are valuable:– Was there a spill?

– Something out of place?

– Worn floor?

Share info:– Tell your supervisor

– Let Facilities know

– Tell coworkers what happened


Suspect a scam?

We all pay for scams

If you suspect a‘staged’ fall:

– Report it to supervisor

– Or go to HR

– Just speak up


The ‘4 Fs’

F – Fix

F – Flag

F – Forewarn

F – Find

It’s everybody’sresponsibility

Copyright Progressive Business Publications Preventing slips, trips and falls.

Documents

hazards dont

suffering slide

time slide

spill dont

trip hazards easy

support check footwear

trips dont wear

common slip hazards