Slips, Trips, and Falls
Revised
9/16/15
Slips, Trips, and Falls
•Target Audience
–All UAF employees
•Objectives
–Increase employee awareness to recognize slip,
trip, and fall hazards at UAF
–Encourage employee participation in identifying,
reporting, and preventing injuries caused by slips,
trips, and falls
See something, say something, do something
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Slips, Trips, and Falls
•Learning Objectives
–General
–UAF slips, trips and falls
–Costs of slips, trips and falls
–Definitions
–Circumstances associated with slips, trips, falls
–Risk factors
–Types of injuries
–Prevention
–Reporting
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Slips, Trips, and Falls - General
•Majority of general industry accidents are
caused by slips, trips and falls
•Slips, trips and falls cause 15% of all
accidental deaths, and are the second leading
cause behind motor vehicle accidents
•Slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere in
your work environment
•Can result in permanent disability and even
death
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Costs of Slips, Trips, and Falls
•To the employee
–Lost wages
–Pain and suffering, embarrassment
–Temporary or permanent disability
–Reduced quality of life
–Death
•To the employer
–Loss of productivity
–Costs for overtime or training for replacement
worker
–Increased insurance premiums
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UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls
•32% of all injuries at UAF
are slips, trips
and falls
•Average annual costs
due to workman’s comp
claims at UAF:
approximately $282,000
•Average annual total
employee days away from
work: 135 days
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UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls (cont.)
•In 2013, we had
–65 reported slips, trips, and falls
•47 outside, 12 inside, 6 were falls from equipment
•28 of the 47 outside occurred during months when
ice and snow are normally present
•In 2014, we had
–40 reported slips, trips and falls
•31 were outside, 9 inside
•26 of the 31 outside occurred during months when
ice and snow are normally present
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Definitions
•Slip
–Lack of friction or traction
between footwear and
walking or working surface
that results in loss of balance
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Definitions (cont.)
•Trip
–Foot or lower leg hitting an
object and the upper body
continues to move forward
resulting in loss of balance
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Definitions (cont.)
•Fall
–A fall occurs when you loose your
balance or bodily support
Two types of Falls
–Fall at same level
•Fall to same walking or working surface,
or
•Fall into or against objects above the
same surface
–Fall to lower level
•Fall to level below walking or working
surface
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Slip Circumstances
•Wet areas on walking surfaces
•Dry products on walking surface
•Freshly waxed surfaces
•Icy walk ways
•Transitioning from one surface to another
•Sloped walking surfaces
•Mounting and dismounting vehicles and
equipment
•Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel
•Improper tread on footwear
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Trip Circumstances
•Uneven surfaces
•Sidewalk/curb drops
•Wheelchair ramps and curbs
•Uncovered cables, wires or extension cords
across aisles or walkways.
•Clutter or obstacles in aisles or walkways
•Open file cabinet or desk drawer
•Irregularities in walking surfaces
•Damaged steps on stairways
•Elevator not level
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Fall Circumstances
•Slipping or tripping
•Not utilizing fall protection when necessary
•Improper use of ladders
•Inattention to surroundings
•Condition of ground surfaces - Icy, wet,
uneven, cluttered with debris
•Improperly mounting/dismounting of
equipment or vehicles
•Loss of balance
•Unprotected edges
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Risk Factors – Environmental Conditions
Icy Surfaces
Snow
Buildup
on Stairs
Poor Lighting
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Risk Factors - Environmental
Conditions
Fog or misty conditions
Poor Housekeeping
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Risk Factors – Human
•Carrying objects that
–Obstruct your view
–Do not leave a free hand
•Lack of situational awareness
–Texting and walking or listening to music
–Talking on cell phones while walking
•In a hurry or taking shortcuts
•Failing eyesight or visual perception
•Age
•Physical/medical conditions
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Risk Factors – Human (cont.)
Lack of Fall Protection
Equipment
Improper Use of Ladders
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Types of Slip, Trip & Fall Injuries
•Back and neck injuries
•Head injuries
•Muscle injuries
•Joint injuries
•Broken bones
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Prevention:
Identify the Hazards in the Photos
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Prevention – Hazards Identified
Snow on stairs
creating an uneven
surface
Water on floor
Cord in walkway
Broom sticking out
Stair tread pealed
up
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Prevention (cont.)
•Use the Origami System to file an Unsafe Condition Report
to report damaged walking surfaces (stairs, sidewalks, etc.)
•Wear proper footwear with good traction
•Use hand rails when using stairways
•Complete required trainings
•Be aware of your surroundings
Remove clutter
from walkways
Utilize fall protection
Wear ice cleats
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UAF Ice Cleat Program
Ice cleats are provided free of charge to all
employees and students who request them
How to obtain ice cleats
•Pick up at EHSRM office 1855 Marika Road
•Bulk order 10 or more for your office using
online order form (Sept. 1st – Nov. 15th)
•Remote locations can order directly using
loss prevention funding. Contact EHSRM for
additional details.
Reporting Reminders
•To report all accidents and injuries, use Origami to file an online
incident reporting link found on our website.
•Use Origami to file an online unsafe condition report to report
any workplace condition or damage that might create a slip, trip,
fall hazard.
Remember if you report an unsafe condition you are
automatically entered into a quarterly incentive award drawing!
•To report icy conditions that need immediate attention, please
contact Facility Services directly at 474-7000 or
dispatch@fs.uaf.edu or snowremoval@fs.uaf.edu
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Contact Information
Main Line
474-5413

Ice Cleats
Kim Knudsen 474-6164
klamb1@alaska.edu
Occupational Safety
Gary Beaudette 474-2763
gsbeaudette@alaska.edu
Kim Knudsen 474-5476
klamb1@alaska.edu

www.uaf.edu/safety/
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