Slips, Trips and Falls
Introduction
o Slips, trips and falls cause:
• The majority of general industry accidents
• 15 percent of all accidental deaths (~12,000/yr)
• More fatalities than all other causes but motor vehicles
• Over 17% of disabling injuries are caused from falls
• NSC estimates workers’ compensation and medical costs associated with slip and fall accidents at $70B per year
Region V
Fatal Events
Region V
Top Fall Events
Definitions
o Slip
• Too little friction between feet (footwear) and working/
working surface, resulting in a loss of balance
o Trip
• Foot or lower leg hits object and upper body continues moving resulting in loss of balance
o Fall
• Body is too far off center of balance
Causes
Causes of Slips
o Wet product or spills on smooth floors or walking surfaces
o Dry product or spills making walking surfaces slippery
o Highly polished floors o Freshly waxed surfaces
o Transition from one surface to another
o Mounting and dismounting vehicles/equipment
Causes of Slips
o Sloped walking surfaces
o Loose, unanchored rugs or mats o Loose floorboards or shifting tiles o Wet, muddy or greasy shoes
o Ramps and gang planks without skid or slip resistant surfaces
o Metals surfaces (dock plates)
o Climbing ladders
Causes of Trips
o Poor housekeeping
o Open cabinets, doors, and drawers o Changes in elevation or levels
o Carpets and mats with curling edges o Irregularities in walking surface/stairs o Missing or uneven floor tiles
o Damaged steps
Causes of Falls
o Improper use of ladders / no training
o Using makeshift ladders out of boxes, chairs, racking systems
o Materials stored on stairs o Exiting vehicles
o No guarding / improper guarding
o Inadequate fall protection or fall restraint
Environmental Conditions which Increase Risks
o Poor lighting o Glare
o Bulky PPE
o Excess noise / temperature o Poor housekeeping
o Inadequate or missing signage
o Improper cleaning methods or products
Human Factors which
Increase Risks (Physical)
o Failing eyesight and / or visual perception o Age
o Physical condition and fatigue o Stress or illness
o Medications, alcohol and drug abuse
Human Factors which
Increase Risks (Behavioral)
o Carrying or moving large objects or too many objects
o Not paying attention to surroundings or walking distracted
o Taking unapproved shortcuts
o Using inappropriate tools and equipment
o Being in a hurry and rushing
Prevention
Prevention
o Workstation design o Good housekeeping o Safe walking practices
o Proper footwear based on work conditions o Spill clean up and signage
o Walk off mats
o Snow and ice removal program
Prevention
o Employee training
o Encourage employees to report unsafe conditions
o Self Inspection
o Don’t take shortcuts through work areas
o Avoid wearing sunglasses inside
o Keep aisles clear of material and debris
Prevention
o Run hoses and cables overhead
o Repair and mark floors that are uneven o Inspect all ladders prior to use
o Use proper tool for the job
o Use handrails when on stairs
o Use vehicle grip bars when entering or exiting vehicles
o Competent fall protection training
Let’s Practice!
o Keep limbs parallel to the ground
o Slap ground with a hand and extend
fingers to absorb part of the impact
o Bend arms toward the body
o Try to roll onto thigh
or buttocks
Self Inspection
Self Inspection General
o Are all work areas clean and orderly?
o Are walking surfaces dry or slip resistant?
o Are spilled materials or liquids cleaned up immediately?
o Are materials available to clean up spills?
o Are work areas adequately illuminated?
o Are aisles and walkways appropriately marked?
o Are wet surfaces covered with non-slip
materials?
Self Inspection Walkways
o Are opening or holes in the floors or other walking surfaces repairs or otherwise made safe?
o Are materials stored outside the walkway?
o Are standard guardrails provided wherever aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more that 4 feet above floor or ground?
o Are bridges provided over conveyors and similar
hazards?
Self Inspection
Stairs and Stairways
o Are standard stair rails and handrails present on all stairways having 3 or more risers?
o Are risers on stair steps uniform with no riser more than 9.5 inches?
o Are steps provided with slip resistant surfaces?
o Are stairway handrails 30-42 inches above the leading edge of the stair treads?
o Are handrails capable of withstanding a load of
200 pounds of force applied in any direction?
Self Inspection
Portable Ladders
o Are all ladders in good condition?
• Joints tight, hardware and fitting securely attached, movable parts move freely,
rungs and side rails not broken or faulty.
o Are there non-slip safety feet on your ladders?
o Are ladder rungs and steps free of
grease and oil?
Self Inspection
Portable Ladders
o Are employees prohibited from:
• Placing ladders in front of doors?
• Placing ladders on boxes or other unstable bases?
• Using ladders that are broken, missing parts?
• Using the top step of ordinary stepladders?
o Are portable rung ladders extended 3 feet above the elevated surface when gaining access to
roofs or other elevated platforms?
Self Inspection
Portable Ladders
o Are portable rung or cleat type ladders placed so that the base will not slip or are they lashed to
hold the ladder in place?
o Do portable metal ladders have labels that read
“Caution – Do Not Use around Electrical Equipment?
o What is the duty rating of the ladders?
Regulations
Regulations
o General Industry (1910)
• Subpart D Walking and Working Surfaces
(1910.21 through 1910.30)
• Subpart R Special Industries
(logging, grain elevators, power generation, etc.)
• 1910.66 Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance
o Construction (1926)
• Subpart X Ladders
• Subpart M Fall Protection
• Subpart L Scaffold
