Slips and Fall Prevention: Controlling the Leading Source of Workers Compensation Claims

1. Slips and Fall Prevention: Controlling the LeadingSource of Workers Compensation Claims Scott Schwaller, Loss Control Specialist United Heartland

2. Agenda • Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Best practices to prevent slip and fall accidents. • Floor Maintenance • Housekeeping • Footwear selection & programs • Awareness • Walking on Snow & Ice

3. Slips, Trips, & Falls • Slip and fall accidents account for 47% of all IACP losses. • According to the U. S. Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents. • 15 percent of all accidental deaths (≈12,000/year), second leading cause behind motor vehicles • One of the most frequent types of reported injuries – about 25% of reported claims per fiscal year • Over 17% of all disabling work injuries are the result of falls

4. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Uncovered & exposed electrical cords

5. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Floor mats that have been kicked up

6. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Spills

7. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Floor covering transitions • Cracks & damage on sidewalks

8. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Curbs • Vehicle curb stops • Wheel chair ramps

9. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Snow & Ice build up

10. Causes of Slips, Trips, & Falls • Footwear, footwear, footwear. • Wear sturdy shoes with slip-resistant soles and low heels; no leather soles, open toe, platform, high heels or flip flops. • Crocs

12. Preventing Slips, Trips, & Falls • Keep floors clean & dry • Avoid contaminated areas • Implement a footwear policy • Implement a slip-resistant shoe program • Keep walkways clear of objects • Lighting in work areas, hallways, and parking lots

13. Preventing Slips, Trips, & Falls • Secure loose cords, wires, and tubing • Eliminate outdoor surface irregularities • Eliminate indoor surface irregularities • Keep stairs clear and in good condition • Prepare for snow & ice • Slip, Trip, & Fall awareness campaign

14. Floor Maintenance • Wet floor signs • Mop ½ of a hallway • Scrubbers can contain water • Utilize dry mopping • Avoid waxing floors • De-grease and scrub kitchen floors • Add slip resistant coating

15. Floor Maintenance Entry Ways • Use walk off mats • Slip resistant flooring with water drain off

16. Floor Maintenance Outdoor Surface Maintenance • Eliminate wheel stops if possible. • Paint all curbs, wheel stops, and changes in elevation with yellow paint • Patch, fill, or slope all surface irregularities such as cracks, holes, or changes in level in walkways greater that ½”

17. Floor Maintenance Indoor Surface Maintenance • Condition of carpet • Condition of mats • Secure edges of mats • Condition of floor tile • Patch and fill cracks in walkways greater than ¼” • Highlight trip hazards

18. Housekeeping • Housekeeping in everyone's responsibility • Your mom doesn’t work here so please clean up after yourself. • Foster a culture for good housekeeping

19. Footwear Selection & Programs • Establish a policy organization wide. • Slips & falls don’t just happen to direct care workers. • Commitment to safety comes from the top down! • Clearly identify expectations for appropriate footwear

20. Footwear Selection & Programs • Implement a slip resistant shoe program (voluntary or mandatory) • Some vendors have liability benefit programs • Slip Grips - http://www.slipgrips.com (available through Lehigh) • Shoes for Crews - http://www.shoesforcrews.com • SRMax - http://www.srmax.com • StarGrip – http://www.redwingshoes.com/ (available through Red Wing – they do not have $5,000 indemnity benefit)

21. Which are Appropriate?Depends on where you are

22. Appropriate Footwear for Work • Slip resistant sole • Shoe covers (and protects foot • Provides good support • Does not contribute to falls • Comfortable

23. Awareness Campaigns • Slip, Trip, & Fall bullet points • Training • Post contact information for maintenance, and housekeeping departments • Penguin campaign

24. Snow & Ice • Be prepared! • Have a snow removal plan • Distribute winter weather notifications • Bins of sand & salt • Shovels at each entry way • Wear appropriate winter footwear

25. Snow & Ice • Minimize how much you carry. • Provide carts or rolling bags • Avoid areas with hanging icicles • Kick off snow and ice • 3 points of contact • Walk like a penguin

26. Planning for Winter Fall Protection • Allow extra time • Consider your route • No shortcuts! • Use railings • Wear appropriate footwear

27. Extra Protection for Winter Walking • Footwear should have a good traction sole • Ankle length boots provide support • Traction devices (YakTraks™) work well and are removable

28. Ladders • Training (proper usage & selection) • Supervision/observation/feedback • Inspection (rung and side rail conditions) • Belt-buckle rule • 3-point of contact • 4/1 ratio • Tie off • Proper height • Non-skid feet • Climbing cage/rest platforms • Ground person • Don’t carry materials up ladder • Capacity • Construction material

29. Resources • National Floor Safety Institute http://www.nfsi.org/ • Washington State Department of Labor & Industries http://www.lni.wa.gov/ • Slip Grips - http://www.slipgrips.com (available through Lehigh) • Shoes for Crews - http://www.shoesforcrews.com • SRMax - http://www.srmax.com • StarGrip – http://www.redwingshoes.com/