ARC Training Tools

1. ARC Training Tools • Alabama Retail is committed to partnering with our members to create and keep safe workplaces. • Be sure to check out all of the training tools that are available in our Safety Library. This training tool is brought to you by

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls Healthcare Workers

3. Session Objectives • You will be able to: • Recognize slips, trips, and falls as a serious safety problem • Identify slip, trip, and fall hazards on the job • Avoid and eliminate trip and slip hazards • Use stairs and ladders safely to avoid falls • Minimize injuries if you do fall

4. What You Need to Know • Frequency and types of slip, trip, and fall injuries • Common causes of slips, trips, and falls • How to prevent trips and slips • How to prevent falls from stairs and on ladders • What to do if you fall

5. Injury Statistics • There are over 265,000 nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls • Slips, trips, and falls result in 17% of all nonfatal workplace injuries per year • More than 750 workers die each year in workplace falls • Patients and visitors can also become statistics

6. Types of Injuries • Back or spine injuries • Head injuries • Muscle strains • Sprains and torn ligaments • Broken bones • Even death

7. Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls • Messy work areas • Inadequate lighting • Not watching where you’re going • Running or walking too fast • Spills and wet floors

8. Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls (cont.) • Clutter • Open drawers • Flooring problems • Failure to use handrails going up or down stairs • Lack of caution on ladders • Wearing inappropriate shoes

9. Eliminate Trip Hazards • Put things away after use • Pick up items you see on the floor • Step over or around obstructions • Walk slowly and change directions slowly, especially when carrying a load • Watch for changes in floor levels • Report lighting problems

10. Eliminate Trip Hazards (cont.) • Don’t leave boxes, bags, tools, or other materials on the floor • Don’t block walkways with carts, wheelchairs, or other equipment • Don’t leave cords or power cables in walkways • Don’t place anything on stairs • Don’t leave drawers open

11. Watch Out for Slip Hazards • Clean up spills, drips, and leaks immediately • Put up signs or barriers to warn about wet floors • Put down mats on wet days • Wear shoes with nonskid soles • Walk slowly and slide your feet on wet, slippery surfaces • Report icy spots outside

12. Keep Alert and Use Common Sense • Be aware of the hazards • Pay attention to where you are going • Adjust your stride according to the walking surface • Make wide turns at corners • Don’t block your vision when carrying items

13. Slip and Trip Hazards • Do you understand the information presented so far?

14. Be Careful on Stairs • Use handrails • Walk—don’t run • Inspect for slippery surfaces or damaged steps • Do not put objects on steps • Be especially careful when carrying a load

15. Choose the Right Ladder for the Job • Step stool • Stepladder • Straight ladder • Extension ladder

16. Ladder ‘Don’ts’ • Don’t stand on the top two steps of a stepladder or the top three rungs of a straight or extension ladder • Don’t place a ladder on boxes or barrels to gain height • Don’t join two short ladders together to form a longer ladder • Don’t use a box or chair in place of a ladder

17. Set Up Ladders Correctly • Place ladders on a firm, level surface • Take precautions when setting up in front of a door • Make sure stepladder braces are fully extended • Position straight and extension ladders properly (4 to 1 rule) • Watch where you lean ladders • Secure ladders top and bottom

18. Climb and Descend Safely • Wear proper shoes • Allow only one person on the ladder at a time • Face the ladder when climbing and descending, and hold onto rails with both hands • Carry tools so hands are free • Hoist up materials once you’re up

19. Climb and Descend Safely (cont.) • Keep one hand on the ladder while you work • Keep your body centered • Don’t overreach • Move slowly and cautiously • Never slide down a ladder

20. Inspect Ladders Before Each Use • Be sure to check: • Joints • Hardware and fittings • Moveable parts • Ropes • Safety feet and locks • Rungs and steps

21. Stair and Ladder Hazards • Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides?

22. What to Do If You’re Falling • Bend elbows and knees to absorb shock • Roll with the fall • Tuck your head • Use hands and forearms to break the fall • Yell or exhale as you fall

23. What to Do If You’re Injured • Report the incident to your supervisor • Get medical attention • Follow doctor’s orders

24. Key Points to Remember • Keep walkways clean and clear • Clean up spills promptly and pick up trip hazards from the floor • Make sure stairs and ladders are safe and use them carefully • Walk slowly, watch where you’re going, and wear proper shoes • Don’t carry loads that block your vision