IMPACTS OF SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
Federal regulations (OSHA) require walkways and working surfaces to be free of hazards that may cause persons to slip, trip, or fall.
By taking action to stop workplace injuries, employers are able to avoid costly fines from OSHA, that in 2020 can exceed $134K for each violation.
Employers who prevent slips, trips, and falls avoid an average costly productivity loss of 12 workdays per injured employee.
When businesses protect their workforce, they improve their social responsibility image, which boosts customer and investor confidence in leadership.
They also enrich worker engagement, procedure compliance, quality output, and company reputation, affecting hiring and retention.
WHAT CAUSES SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS?
Although, on average, we safely take 4,000 steps each day, According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips trips and falls still account for 26% of all workplace injuries.
A slip or trip and fall occurs when a person loses their balance after suddenly losing traction with the floor's surface, or their stride is unexpectedly interrupted when walking.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
PHYSICAL; Age, health, fatigue, medications, and vision impact reactions and balance during a slip, trip, and fall.
PSYCHOLOGICAL; Distractions caused by workload, stress, and worry affect concentration and alertness in a slip, trip, and fall situation.
INTELLECTUAL; Training, education, and experience impact the ability to recognize and avoid slip, trip, and fall hazards.
PSYCHO-SOCIAL; Personal needs and influences at home, work, and in society affect our motivations and attitudes toward slip, trip, and fall-related safety rules.
CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE SLIPS
Watch out for:
- Machinery spaces, especially during maintenance activities.
- Icy, wet or muddy sidewalks, steps, landings, and doorways.
- Anywhere food and drinks are prepared
- Those little drink spills in hallways or on steps
- Sawdust on floors in workshop finishing areas
- Areas that are damp, steamy, misty, or foggy
- Anywhere containers of liquid are filled, emptied, or stored.
CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE TRIPS
Watch out for:
- Areas with poor housekeeping or clutter on the floor.
- Items stacked in walkways, next to entrances or stairs.
- Open drawers, on desks, or filing cabinets in work spaces.
- Cords, cables, or hoses across paths or between cubicles.
- Uneven or irregular surfaces found in grassy or rocky areas.
- Areas with loose boards, missing tiles,
- Carpets, and rugs with holes, snags, or wrinkles in them.
WHO'S AT RISK FOR A SLIP TRIP OR FALL?
Unfortunately, anyone can have a slip trip and fall, but those people who have unsafe behaviors are at a higher risk of suffering one.
SLIPS TRIP AND FALL DO’S & DON’TS.
To Avoid Slips and Trips, don’t do the following when walking:
- Run, walk fast, and over-stride when in a hurry.
- Ignore safety rules, signs, and warning placards.
- Wear footwear unsuitable for the working conditions.
- Multitask, use your phone or text while walking.
- Walk outside of sidewalks or designated walkways.
- Carry loads you cannot see over.
- Skip steps or fail to use the handrail on the stairs.
- Daydream or have your mind on anything but walking.
- Hurry around corners or through intersections.
- Carry uncovered food or drinks while walking.
To Avoid Slips and Trips, Do the following When Walking:
- Adjust your walking stride to a pace based on the surface.
- Focus on what’s ahead and where your stepping.
- Slow down and make wide turns at corners.
- Use any available convex mirrors at intersections.
- When entering a dark room, first turn on the lights.
- When using carts make sure you can see path ahead.
- Stay away from carrying items that obstruct your view.
- Stop and step to the side, to phone or text when walking.
- Wear footwear suitable for the working conditions.
- Stay on designated walkways or working surfaces.
To prevent slip, trips and falls at work, all employees must exercise good housekeeping practices.
- If you spill something, clean it up without delay.
- Keep the floors in your work area swept and clear of debris.
- The use of lids on drinks or coffee cups,
- Immediately clean up any little spills as they occur.
- Keep your walkways free clear of debris, cords, and hoses.
- Stop and correct any rolled up or wrinkled floor mats.
- Promptly close filing cabinet, and desk drawers.
- Route cables and cords so they’re not crossing walkways.
- Report any burnt-out bulbs and areas with poor lighting.
WHAT CAN THE EMPLOYER DO?
The following are some things that the employer can do to prevent slip, trips and falls:
- Use slip and roll resistant floor mats.
- Provide or approve footwear suitable for the working conditions.
- Ensure handrails are available on stairways and steps.
- Use contrasting colors to highlight trip hazards.
- Place Convex Safety Mirrors at intersections and corners.
- Texturize surfaces on ramps and industrial walkways.
- Clearly mark and maintain designated walkways.
- Immediately mark and promptly repair damaged floors.
- Maintain walks and steps in bad weather.
- Promote safe practices that reduce slips, trips, and falls.
- Post warning signs in areas prone to slips, trips or falls.
CONSEQUENCES OF NO ACTION.
Not only do actions have consequences, but no action has them too.
- OSHA Penalties and any associated legal costs.
- Legal costs for lawsuits or pretrial settlements.
- Increased worker's compensation insurance rates.
- The costs of lost productivity because of work stoppages.
- Overtime or costs of a replacement worker.
According to OSHA's Safety Pays calculator, the following are examples of direct and indirect costs of common injuries, after a fall caused by a slip or trip of just one employee:
- Laceration, $ 44,898
- Sprain, $64,675
- Strain, $ 69,213
- Concussion, $109,452
- Fracture, $112,261
IN CONCLUSION
The National Safety Council says, “Every 7 seconds, a worker is injured on the job” they also report that 25.8% are Slips Trips and falls, which are all preventable.
2018’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics records show that employers who prevent slips, trips, and falls avoid an average costly productivity loss of 12 workdays per injured employee.
