Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace

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1 Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace

2 Now what could go wrong here?????

3 Slips-Trips-Falls (STF) Can occur in any part of the workplace whether inside or outside; May result in serious injuries: and, Can include significant cost to both the worker and employer. Impact To Worker: Pain Lost wages Temporary or permanent disability Reduced quality of life Depression Impact To Employer: Lost productivity Costs of replacement employee Increased Workmen s Compensation premiums

4 What causes slips, trips and falls? Slips occur when an individual slides, loses their balance, causing the individual to fall. Common causes of slips are: Wet or oily surfaces; Occasional spills; Weather hazards; Loose, unanchored rugs or mats; and, Walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all areas.

5 What causes slips, trips and falls? Trips occur when an individual stumbles -- often over an obstacle and loses their balance, causing them to fall. Trips happen when the foot strikes or hits an object. Common causes of tripping are: Uneven floor or work surfaces; Obstructed view or poor lighting; Clutter in the path of travel; Wrinkled or bunched floor mats or carpeting; Uncovered cables or electric cords; and Bottom drawers not being closed.

6 What causes slips, trips and falls? Both slips and trips can result in falls. In addition, falls can occur when ladders are not maintained properly, or when stairways and working surfaces are not designed properly.

7 Factors Increasing the Risk Not Paying Attention Clutter

8 Safety Reminders Three simple safety reminders can reduce these types of workplace injuries: If you drop it, pick it up. If you spill it, wipe it up. Go where you are looking, and look where you are going.

9 Take Control of Your Environment To further reduce the risk of falls, faculty and staff have a responsibility to: Maintain good order in their classrooms, ensuring aisles and walking areas clear; Notify a facilities staff member, ASAP, if they observe that hallways are obstructed or floors are wet; Pay attention to signs warning of slippery areas; Wear shoes with good support and slip resistant soles, as appropriate to their work functions; Close cabinets, drawers and closets in classrooms or work areas; and, Never stand on chairs or tables to reach supplies or materials that are stored above.

10 OSHA Regulations General Requirements Housekeeping (a) Workplaces shall be kept clean, orderly, and sanitary. Workroom floors shall be maintained as clean and dry as possible. Every floor, working place and passageway shall be kept free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards.

11 Housekeeping Take personal responsibility for your work space: Close file cabinet or storage drawers Keep working areas and walkways well lit and clear of obstruction Report the following to the Facilities Department, by or by completing a Facilities Request Form: Light bulbs that are burned out Cable or wires that cross a walkway Wet floors inside the building; snow or ice covering sidewalks outside of the building Be aware of your surroundings and either correct, or notify the appropriate individual, of any perceived hazards

12 Workplace Dos & DON Ts DON T Prop doors open. Store materials in hallways or stairwells. Store anything in front of a doorway. Place chairs in dangerous areas. DO CORRECT or REPORT these HAZARDS by notifying a member of the Facilities Staff either by or by completing a Facilities Request Form.

13 Sidewalks and Crosswalks Report these dangers

14 Be aware of slippery outdoor areas and surfaces in parking lots, walkways and playgrounds; Report untreated areas to the Facilities Department as soon as they are identified Slips on Ice

15 Slips on Ice Use appropriate footwear - In icy weather, wear boots or shoes with a good grip and strong soles. Shoes with built-in support at the ankles will protect you from potential ankle injuries should you fall. Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles - use the vehicle for support. Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous. Look ahead when you walk - a snow or ice covered sidewalk or driveway may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.

16 Slip, Trip and Fall Hazard CORRECT this HAZARD! PROBLEM: Slip: if it is wet outside and the mat is folded back, then the floor is getting wet instead of the mat absorbing the water. Trip: the mat is folded back and someone could catch their foot on the mat and trip. Fall: both a wet floor and caught foot could contribute to a fall.

17 In the event of a fall on School premises, employees should Complete an Accident Report Form Available in either the Business Office or Health Office, this form should be completed before the end of the School day during which the fall occurred. Complete Workmen s Compensation Form Available in the Business Office, in the event that you need to seek medical attention for any injury resulting from a fall.

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