SLIPS, TRIPS, AND
FALLS
Marissa Salo Morgan, MS
Safety and Health Specialist
Montana Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety
and Health Bureau
Safety Fest 2010 - Missoula
HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING?
• Better than this…I hope
LEGAL
OSH Act
• Sec 5(a) Each employer…
o
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;
(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.
All places of employment, shall be kept clean,
orderly and sanitary.
o The floor shall be clean and, so far as possible
dry
o Every floor shall be kept free from protruding
nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards.
o
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?
• Slip
o
Occurs when there is too little traction or friction
between the shoe and walking surface.
• Trip
o
Occurs when a person’s foot contacts an object in
their way or drops to a lower level unexpectedly.
• Fall
o
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 Level
o
When you fall to the surface you are walking
on. Same level falls are more common.
• From Elevation
o
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:




o
Water
Mud
Oil/grease
Food, etc.
Dry contamination on floors:
 Dusts
 Wood,
 Powders, etc.
CAUSES OF SLIPS
Loose, unanchored mats
Highly polished floors
Transitioning from one
surface to another
Dirty shoes
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:
Uncovered cables,
wires or extension
cords
o Clutter, obstacles in
walkways
o
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
MAPPING
Mapping 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 Who
o Where
o When
o What they were doing
o Conditions during the fall
o 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
Cafeteria/Restaurants
Entryway
Cushion
Office/Plant
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
o
o
Paint
Tapes
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.