Langley Slip, Trip, and Fall Awareness Initiative

1. Langley Slip, Trip, and Fall Awareness Initiative Harold W. Beazley Safety Manager January 4, 2005 Executive Safety Board

2. Langley Slip, Trip, and Fall Awareness Initiative • Begins today with this presentation to the ESC • The Safety Manager or a representative from the SFAB is available to present this briefing to Center personnel upon request at: • Safety Meetings • Non-Safety Meetings such as staff meetings • Tri-fold handout on Slips, Trips, and Falls • Have a poster available for download • Banners for the Center Gates • Banner for the Cafeteria Executive Safety Board

3. Scary Statistics from the CDC* on Slips, Trips, and Falls from 2002 • The number one reason for a trip to the emergency room in 2002 was “Unintentional Fall” for all ages except the 15–24 age group • In the 15–24 age group, the number one reason was “Unintentional Struck by/Against” • In the 15–24 age group, “Unintentional Fall” was the number three reason * Center for Disease Control Executive Safety Board

4. Even Scarier Statistics from the CDC on Slips, Trips, and Falls from 2001 • In the 35-44 age group, the ninth leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 647 deaths • In the 45-54 age group, the fifth leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 1024 deaths • In the 55-64 age group, the third leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 1004 deaths • Most of the LaRC population falls in the 35-64 age group Executive Safety Board

5. LangleyStatistics • Approximately a quarter of our OSHA recordables and First Aid Cases were due to Slips, Trips, and Falls • More than 40% of our Lost Time and Restricted Work Injuries were a result of Slips, Trips, and Falls Executive Safety Board

6. LaRC TCIR – FY04 • Overall TCIR - 1.56 • TCIR due to Slips, Trips, & Falls - 0.54 • 35% of our TCIR value is coming from Slips, Trips, and Falls - These are preventable! Executive Safety Board

7. TheLangleyGoal The Langley goal is simple but bold, “To have no flips due to slips or trips”. ‘Cause having a fall is really no ball, And with your fate comes an increase in our rate. Executive Safety Board

8. Executive Safety Board

9. Safety 101: Types of Falls • There are two basic types of falls • Elevated falls • Same-level falls • The majority of falls at LaRC are same-level falls with a slip or trip being the root cause. • Elevated falls at LaRC are primarily due to improper use of a ladder. • Injuries from falls result from the sudden stop or striking an object or working surface Executive Safety Board

10. Risk Factors • Common risk factors that increase the probability of a slip, trip or fall are: • Slippery or uneven surfaces. • Obstructions, like hoses or cords, stretched across aisles. • Improper use of ladders and stairs. • Improper shoes. • Unsafe behavior, such as horseplay or jumping from high places Executive Safety Board

11. Slip Theory • Slips are primarily caused by a slippery surface and compounded by the type of footwear worn. • In normal walking, two types of slips occur. • When the heel of the front foot contacts the walking surface and slips forward causing the person to fall backward. • When the rear foot slips backward. • The force to move forward is on the sole of the rear foot. • As the rear heal is lifted and the force moves forward to the front of the sole, the foot slips back and the person falls forward. Executive Safety Board

12. Prevention of Slips • Awareness and action are the two key ways to counteract slip hazards every day, both on and off the job. • Slips happen in almost any part of the workplace. • You should be aware of the possibility of slips, no matter where you work. • Some surfaces are much more slippery than others. • Add water, a spilled substance, grease, oil, or even fresh wax or polish to a floor or walking surface, and you increase the potential for slips and falls. Executive Safety Board

13. Potential Slip Hazards at LaRC • Wet Spots • Don't wait for a small spill to dry itself. • It only takes a second for a serious accident to happen. • Loose Flooring • Use caution when walking over loose tiles, bricks, pavement, carpet or floorboards. • Check your floors at home and at work. • Icy Spots • Spread sand and/or salt on icy walkways during the winter. • Always walk slowly on any surface. Executive Safety Board

14. Trip Theory • Trips occur when the front foot strikes an object and is suddenly stopped. • The upper body continues forward • A fall occurs. • As little as a 3/8" rise in a walkway can cause a person to "stub" a toe resulting in a trip and fall. • The same thing can happen going up a flight of stairs: • Only a slight difference in the height of steps can cause a person can trip and fall. Executive Safety Board

15. Prevention of Trips at LaRC • Obstructions that create trip hazards • Blocked aisle-ways • Materials not properly stored • Open drawers • Unsecured hoses or cords across pathways • Good housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility. • You are in the best position to notice, report, and correct conditions that could cause a slip, trip, or fall. Executive Safety Board

16. Potential Trip hazards at LaRC. • Electrical Cords • Avoid using extension cords, if possible. • If you must use one, never place it (or any other cord) in a walking area. • Materials • Trip hazards are created by materials stored in hallways and aisles • Store materials in closets and cabinets. • Untidy Floors • Any small things can cause big falls • A pencil • A piece of paper or fabric • A machine part • Drawers • Keep them closed • Many trips have been caused by a drawer that was “only going to be open for a second”. Executive Safety Board

17. Conclusions • Remain attentive to surroundings • If it snowed, there are likely to be icy patches • If it rained, entrance ways are likely to be wet and slippery • Watch out for spills • Clean them up • Place a cone or other alerting device to ensure that others see the hazard • Call 4ROME to have someone clean it up • If you see something that could cause a slip or trip, report it to your supervisor, to ROME, and/or the SFAB • With everyone’s help, we can meet the LaRC goal of “No flips due to slips or trips.” Executive Safety Board