Preventing Falls in the Workplace

1
Preventing Falls in the Workplace
2
Current Data

• Falls are serious cause injury or death
• On-the-job falls 2 workplace injury
• Minor falls usually arent reported
• Embarrassment contributes to under reporting of
  falls
• Too often fall prevention is not a priority

3
Current Data (cont.)

• Fatalities
• 2nd leading cause of job-related death
• Almost 15 of occupational deaths
• Mostly from falls from one level to another
• Injuries
• Leading cause of non-fatal workplace injury
• Mostly fall to the same level

4
Current Data (cont.)
5
Understanding the Data
6
Understanding the Data (cont.)

• Falls to same level occur
• Doorways
• Ramps
• Cluttered hallways
• Areas with heavy traffic
• Uneven surfaces
• Areas prone to wetness

• Falls to another level occur
• Unguarded heights
• Unstable work surfaces
• Ladders

7
Solution/Prevention

• Falls to the same level
• Remove clutter from doorways, pathways
• Report or fix walking surface hazards or damaged
  railings when noticed
• Block access to spills or other hazards until
  corrected dont ignore it
• Clean surfaces correctly to prevent slipperiness
• Use lights in walkway areas
• Mark uneven surfaces and stairs
• Report all falls

8
Solution/Prevention (cont.)

• Falls to another level
• Use appropriate fall protection devices when
  working at heights
• Follow guidelines for ladder safety
• Ensure stability of surface beforehand
• Report all falls

9
Solution/Prevention

• Wear proper footwear
• Use hand railings and grab bars
• Dont text message, chat or read while walking
• Be alert to your surroundings, even familiar ones
• Dont laugh when someone falls

10
NSC Strategy to Address Data

• Document science and evaluate solutions
• Develop programs
• Seek legislation connect national to local
  interests
• Develop recognized expertise
• Create partnerships
• Develop NSC public policy statements
• Work the issue at every level

11
You Can Get Involved

• Share information and resources nsc.org
• Promote fall prevention National Safety Month
  (June) nsc.org/nsm
• Provide training on falls prevention
  nsc.org/train
• Be an advocate for fall prevention legislation

12
You Can Get Involved

• Continually check to make sure areas are clutter
  free
• Make sure all falls are being reported
• Ensure problem areas are made safe immediately
• Use safety practices at work AND at home

Disclaimer Information and recommendations are
compiled from sources found in the NSC Library
that are believed to be reliable. The NSC makes
no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility
for the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness
of such information or recommendations.