How to prevent those Slips, Trips and Falls that we have all experienced

1. FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE How to prevent those Slips, Trips and Falls that we have all experienced

2. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS ARE COSTLY • Slips and trips happen in any part of the workplace, inside or outdoors. • Slips and trips often result in falls and more serious outcomes, including disabling injuries and even death. The costs to both worker and employer can be great: To Worker: To Employer: • Lost wages • pain • temporary or permanent disability • reduced quality of life • Increased burdens on the rest of the family • loss in productivity and business • Increased insurance premiums • costs associated with training a replacement worker

3. Commonly affected body parts: Common types of injuries: INJURIES FROM SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS • Sprains, strains • Bruises, contusions • Fractures • Abrasions, cuts • Knee, Ankle, Foot • Wrist, Elbow • Back • Shoulder • Hip • Head

4. Slip When there is too little friction or traction between your feet (footwear) and the walking or working surface, and you lose your balance.. Friction: The resistance encountered when an object (foot) is moved in contact with another (ground). Friction is necessary in order to walk without slipping. DEFINITIONS Fall Occurs when you are too far off your center of balance. Trip When your foot (or lower leg) hits an object and your upper body continues moving, throwing you off balance. Can lead to: When you step down unexpectedly to a lower surface (Misstep) and lose your balance, e.g., stepping off a curb.

5. Two types of falls: DEFINITIONS (CONTINUTED) Fall-at-the-same-level Fall-to-lower-level When you fall onto a level below the one on which you are walking, working, or standing. When you fall to the surface you are walking or standing on, or fall into or against objects at or above the surface. For example: • Step or stairs • Ladder • Platform • Loading dock • Truck bed Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note highlighted edges for better visibility to prevent walking off ramp and falling. Slip-resistant strips on steps

6. Some common causes of slips include the following: CAUSES OF SLIPS “dry” contamination making surfaces slippery: dusts, powders, granules, wood, lint, plastic wrapping “wet” contamination/spillson smooth floors or surfaces: water, fluids, mud, grease, oil, food

7. Causes of Slips (CONTINUTED) • highly polished floors, such as marble, terrazzo, or ceramic tile (can be extremely slippery even when dry) • freshly waxed surfaces • transitioning from one floor type to another (carpet to smooth surface flooring) Transitioning from one type of flooring to another with less traction may cause a slip if one does not adjust for the change.

8. Causes of Slips (CONTINUTED) • sloped walking surfaces – F&O Garage, Kauffman roadway • loose, unanchored rugs or mats – building entrances • loose floorboards or tiles that can shift • shoes with wet, muddy, greasy, or oily soles Sloping driveway which has no safe pedestrian walkways

9. CAUSES OF SLIPS (CONTINUTED) • loose irregular surfaces, such as gravel • weather hazards: rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, frost • leaves, pine needles, plant debris (especially if wet)

10. Some common causes of trips include: CAUSES OF TRIPS AND MISSTEPS • uncovered cables, wires, or extension cords across aisles or pathways • clutter, obstacles in aisles, walkways, and work areas • open cabinet, file, or desk In an emergency, you don’t want any obstructions blocking your exit route or causing you to fall while attempting to escape. Blocked exit route

11. Causes of Trips and Missteps (CONTINUTED) • changes in elevation or levels (unmarked steps, ramps) • rumpled or rolled up carpets/ mats, carpets with curled edges • irregularities in walking surfaces ( thresholds, gaps) • missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks

12. Steep stairs (52-degree slope) with tall steps. Note that it is also missing a handrail on the left and a mid-rail on the existing one. CAUSES OF TRIPS AND MISSTEPS (CONTINUTED) • damaged steps • taller or shorter (varying rise) • shallower tread depth • otherwise irregular Over 2.5 million falls on stairways result in about 2 million disabling injuries yearly.

13. Unmarked elevation changes: Trips in Parking Lots and Garages • speed bumps • curbs • wheelchair accessible ramps • driveways Curbs Speed bumps Wheelchair accessible ramp

14. Other Conditions Increasing the Risk of Slips And Trips Conditions and situations that make it difficult to see potential hazards or that distract your attention can contribute toward a slip or trip. Poor lighting Glare Shadows Can you see the worker on the stairs? • excessive noise, temperature

15. Physical Condition Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And Trips Health and physical condition can impair a person’s vision, judgment, and balance. • Eyesight, visual perception • Age • Physical state, fatigue • Stress, illness • Medications, alcohol, drugs

16. Human Behavior Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And Trips (CONTINUTED) Behaviors – actions you choose and control– can contribute to a slip, trip, and fall injury if you practice careless work habits. Carrying or moving oversized objects, or too many objects, that may: - obstruct your view - impair your balance - prevent you from holding onto handrails

17. Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And Trips (CONTINUTED) • Inattentive walking, distractions (using cell phone, talking and not watching where you’re going, etc.) • Taking shortcuts; not using walkways or designated cleared pathways • Being in a hurry, rushing around; moving too fast for safe practices in work environment

18. Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And Trips • Poor housekeeping (allowing clutter to accumulate, not maintaining clean dry floors,) • Using improper cleaning methods (e.g., incorrectly using wax or polish; or trying to clean up grease spill with water) • Not using signs when slip or trip hazards exist

19. Footwear Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And Trips (CONTINUTED) Loose fitting flip-flops Slick smooth-surfaced soles High heels footwear not suitable for the environment (reduced traction)

20. What Can You Do to Reduce Risk? Safety is everyone’s responsibility. • You can reduce the risk of slipping by: • take your time and pay attention to where you are going • adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing • making wide turns at corners. • You can reduce the risk of tripping by: • always use sufficient light for your tasks • using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light • Make sure you can see your path clearly when carrying or pushing items

21. What Can You Do to Reduce Risk? (CONTINUTED) Think about the tasks you are doing. • You can reduce the risk of slipping by: • Wear slip resistant soles – Rubber or Cork are best • Walk around wet floor areas and request custodial signs • Reports spills immediately • Report broken or uneven surfaces • You can reduce the risk of tripping by: • Keep aisles clear • Minimize the use of carpets to entrances • Use handrails when going up or down steps

22. What Can You Do to Reduce Risk? (CONTINUTED) Keep a watchful eye on your environment • You can reduce the risk of falling by: • Don’t stand or chairs or desks • Do not climb higher than waist height to the top of a ladder • Wear sensible shoes especially on snow & ice • Report broken or uneven surfaces • You can reduce the risk of falling by: • Remove loose cords or use a cord track • Learn how to fall properly • Practice balance exercises

23. Thank you for your attention and have a Safe Holiday Season!