Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Public Entities

1. Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Public Entities Myra S. Forrest, ARM, CSP Fall 2007

2. National Statistics General Industry • #3 leading cause of fatal injury on the job • Over 12,000 deaths occur each year • 23% more deaths in 1999 than 1989 • Approximately 300,000 non fatal slip/trip/falls occur on the job each year • Representing 19% of all disabling injuries

3. To worker: Pain Lost wages Temporary or permanent disability Reduced quality of life Depression To employer: Loss of productivity and business Increased insurance premiums Cost of rehiring or retraining employees Major Costs of Loss

4. Workers compensation Sprains, strains Bruises, contusions Fractures Abrasions, lacerations 3rd Party Liability Claims Slip, trip, falls Sidewalk defects Losses within Public Entities

5. MWCF Statistics 2005 Fund Year 400 claims - $3,425,169.62 2006 Fund Year 386 claims - $1,841,768.46 2007 Fund Year (6/30/07) 135 claims - $347,357.87 All claims amounts are incurred dollar amounts which include reserve and collection amounts and comp, medical , rehab & other paid amounts.

6. MWCF Fall or Slip Cause Descriptions • From Different Level • From Ladder or Scaffolding • Into Openings • On Ice or Snow • On Same Level

7. Police Officers Street Cleaning Fire Fighter Waterworks Operations Garbage Collection Clerical Employees Parks Landscaping Housing Authority Building Operations Electric Power Public Health Nursing Top 11 Payroll Classes

8. Statistics Top 11 Payroll Classes

9. MWCF Average Claim Costs

10. AMIC Statistics $2.9 million 673 incurred claims described as Slip & Falls and Sidewalk Defects paid under the AMIC General Liability coverage since program inception in 1989. Avg. Claim Amt - $4388

11. AMIC Statistics $1.9 million 420 incurred claims described as Slip & Falls and Sidewalk Defects paid under the AMIC General Liability coverage between the years 2000 thru 7/20/2007. Avg. Claim Amt - $4751

12. AMIC Statistics Summary

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

14. Environmental Factors Facility Design Maintenance Housekeeping Human Factors Human Behavior Physical condition Causation Factors

15. Human Factors - Physical Condition • Eyesight, visual perception • Age • Physical state, fatigue • Stress, illness • Medications, alcohol, drug effects

16. Age & Medical Related Factors • Reduced Visual Ability – lighting, objects on floor, warning or informational signs • Declines in Musculoskeletal or Nervous System – poor balance or unsteady gait, level walk areas, handrails • Illness, Seizures, Medications – contributes to fatigue or drowsiness

17. Human Factors – Human Behavior • Carrying or moving cumbersome objects, or too many objects, that • obstruct your view • impair your balance • prevent you from holding onto handrails Behaviors – actions you choose & control such as work practices

18. Human Factors – Human Behavior • Inattentive walking, distractions (e.g., 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

19. Human Factors – Human Behavior • Poor housekeeping (clutter, floor condition) • Using improper cleaning methods/products (wax, polish, cleaning solutions) • Signage when slip or trip hazards exist Messy work space Water leakage from ice machines not mopped up; no wet floor warning signs

20. Human Factors – Human Behavior Suitable for the work environment Reduce traction High heels Leather or smooth-surfaced soles Taps on heels

21. Wearing Proper Shoes Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles or traction devices when walking or working on surfaces that are wet, greasy, icy, or other-wise slick. No footwear has anti-slip properties for every condition so make sure that the proper type of footwear is selected for the work conditions and for the type of flooring or walking/working surface. Slip-resistant traction devices for snow and ice that fit over the soles Steel-toed safety boots with oil-resistant soles

22. Wear & Care of Shoes • Fit snugly and comfortably. • Slip-resistant shoes/boots with good tread. • Clean and in good condition at all times. • Inspect regularly for any damage; repair or replace worn or defective footwear. • *Replace shoes or soles before soles become worn smooth.

23. Human Factors – Human BehaviorSafe Walking Practices • Attentiveness to surroundings, obstructions, and walking surfaces • Watch for changes in elevations • Walk don’t run • Use handrails/dollies/elevators • Report slip/trip/fall hazards

24. Human Factors – Human BehaviorFalling ‘Properly’ • Roll with the fall; don’t reach out. Let your body crumple and roll. • Bend your elbows and knees and use your legs and arms to absorb the fall. • Get medical attention after a fall to treat anything torn, sprained, or broken.

25. Mounting/Dismounting Equipment Safely • Clean footwear of mud, snow, ice, grease, or any other contamination. • Make sure running board, tread, step, foothold, and platform of equipment are also clean and dry of any contamination. • Always face equipment when mounting and dismounting. • Have a good hand-hold before stepping up. • Place your foot on the step or foothold just in front of your heel, under the arch. • Clean shoes • Clean foothold and step • Proper foot placement on step and foothold

26. Courtesy of Construction Safety Association of Ontario Three - Point Contact • Maintain three-point contact at all times while getting onto/off of the equipment until reaching ground, cab, or stable platform. • one hand, two feet • two hands, one foot Three-point contact: • Do not jump off when dismounting or getting off the bed of a truck or other part of the equipment. Step down facing equipment

27. Climbing/Descending Ladders Safely • Clean footwear of mud, etc. • Clean and dry rungs or steps • Proper pitch – 1 to 4 rule • Top of ladder should extend 3’ above landing • Secure ladders at the top to prevent lateral movement. • Face the ladder at all times. • Good hand-hold • Maintain three-point contact. • Do not jump off ladder

28. Environmental FactorsFacility Design • Building codes • Life Safety codes • ADA Accessibility guidelines

29. Environmental FactorsFacility Design / Maintenance • Walkway & Stairs surfaces – slip resistant • Flooring maintenance products • Carpet & rugs • Lighting • Slip resistant mats – wet locations – transitions from interior to exterior of building • Floor elevation changes – transition plates

30. Environmental FactorsOther Potential Hazards • Uneven surfaces (holes, cracks, changes in elevation,etc.) • Protruding objects (nails, bolts, etc.) • Carpet (rolled edges, holes, tears, etc.) • Elevators not stopping level with floor • Openings (trenches, skylights, manhole)

31. Environmental Factors – Workplace Design • Contain work processes to prevent discharge, splatter, or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, dusts, etc. onto floor. • local exhaust ventilation • extraction/collection systems • enclosures • work surfaces with raised or lipped edges • catch/drip pans, drain offs Sander with dust collection system

32. Environmental Factors - Workplace Design • Proper ventilation to avoid smoke, steam, and condensation of water and grease onto floor. • Adequate lighting to keep work areas, aisles, and paths of travel well lit.

33. Environmental Factors Workplace Design • Mark/highlight step edges and transition areas (changes in elevations). Use anti-skid paint. Step edges are highlighted for better visibility to prevent a misstep and fall down the stairs. Confusing the bottom step with the floor is a common occurrence when it’s not marked. • Make sure stairs have sufficient lighting and hand rails.

34. Environmental Factors Workplace Design • Provide effective drainage, false floors, or platforms. • Install slip-resistant floors in high risk areas (e.g. entrances, kitchens, etc.). This entrance area’s slip-resistant flooring also allows for drainage of excess water.

35. Environmental Factors Workplace Design • Apply slip-resistant coating, treatment, strips, etc. Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note highlighted edges for better visibility to prevent walking off ramp and falling. Slip-resistant strips on steps

36. Environmental Factors - Workplace Design • Use slip-/skid- resistant matting. Skid-resistant, anti-fatigue mats in kitchen and food preparation areas.

37. Environmental Factors Workplace Design • Highlight or mark slip and trip hazards for better visibility. Wheelchair accessible curb leading to building entrance is highlighted and the surface is dimpled for better visibility and traction.

38. Environmental Factors – Maintenance & Housekeeping • Keep walkways, aisles, and stairs clear of materials, equipment, and other hazards. • Cover or secure(or suspend overhead on construction sites) cables, cords, wires, and hoses away from walkways and other paths of travel. • Make sure rugs or mats are flat and not bunched up. Pathway is clearly marked and free of obstructions.

39. Environmental Factors – Maintenance & Housekeeping • Securely fasten unanchored loose rugs or mats with skid-resistant backing and carpet tape. • Close desk, cabinet, and file drawers and doors immediately after each use. • Keep the floor around work spaces free of boxes, cords, cables, materials, and other objects.

40. Environmental Factors – Maintenance & Housekeeping • Keep floors clean and free of water, mud, grease, debris, etc, & damage. • Clean spills immediately. Mop or sweep up any debris. • Repair any damages immediately, or replace if necessary. • Cone or block off area until surface is completely dry or repaired before allowing people to walk through the area.

41. Environmental Factors – Maintenance & Housekeeping • Clean surfaces according to recommended schedules. Follow cleaning and drying methods and procedures, using appropriate cleaning products. • Use wet floor signs or cones. • Remove signs and cones when area is dry.

42. Alabama Sidewalks • “Street” includes roadway, gutters, and the sidewalks • Sidewalk - That part of the Street intended for use by pedestrians • Section 11-47-190, code of Alabama imposes an affirmative duty on a municipality to maintain streets in a reasonably safe condition

43. Liability of Municipalities • City of Florence V. Stack, 155 So. 2 d 324 (1963) Duty and obligation to exercise ordinary and reasonable care to keep its streets and sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition for travel

44. Responsibility & Accountability • Remedy such defects upon receiving notice • Law infers defects ought to have been discovered and remedied within such length of time and under such conditions and circumstances • Safe for ordinary travel day or night

45. General Duty of Municipalities • Duty to keep sidewalks in proper repair and safe condition • Duty to keep public sidewalks open for travel & free from unnecessary obstructions

46. Immunity • Governmental immunity does not defeat a negligence claim for maintenance of public sidewalks or walkways

47. What Causes Sidewalk Damage? • Tree roots • Improper drainage • Ground settlement • Weeds • Heavy vehicles

48. Common Types of Claims • Slip/trip/fall on sidewalks • Spalled concrete, gravel, meter/manhole covers • Uneven brick sidewalks • Changes in elevation • Uncovered openings

49. Trends In Sidewalk Liability Claims • Aging population more likely to fall • Aging infrastructure • Varied use of sidewalks • Increase in wheelchair curb cuts • Increase use of decorative materials • Decrease in personal responsibility

50. Risk Management Tools • Planned Inspection Program • Sidewalk Liability Improvement Program