SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

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SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
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OVERVIEW

• Types of Falls
• Characteristics of Falls
• Housekeeping
• Individual Behavior
• Stairs
• Slips, Trips and Falls in the Office Setting

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DID YOU KNOW?

• Estimates say that 15-20 of all workers comp
  costs are due to slips, trips and falls
• This is not surprising when you consider that the
  back is the most frequently injured body part in
  a fall.
• The average back injury ranges from 7000-25,000
  in direct costs, whereby indirect costs typically
  double this amount.

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TYPES OF FALLS

• Two basic types of falls
• Same-level falls occur most often with lower
  back sprain and/or strain and hamstring strain
• In these types of falls, the person is injured
  when he or she hits the walking or working
  surface or strikes an object during the fall.
• Elevated Falls typically more severe resulting
  in fractured bones and occasionally death
• Examples include falls from ladders, from
  vehicles and equipment, from loading docks and
  falls on stairs

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CONDITIONS FOR STFs

• In general, slips and trips occur due to loss of
  traction between the shoe and the walking surface
  or an inadvertent contact with a fixed or
  immovable object. Conditions and situations that
  set the state for slips and falls are
• Poor housekeeping
• Wet or slippery surfaces
• Obstacles in walkways
• Poor lighting
• Footwear and
• Individual behavior.

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HOUSEKEEPING

• Good housekeeping is paramount.
• Good housekeeping includes picking up, wiping up
  and cleaning up.
• It includes the prompt removal of scrap and
  waste.
• Housekeeping is everyones responsibility.

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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

• Inattention can be identifed as the root cause of
  injury in most every category of accident
  analysis.
• Take this Inattention Test. Do you
• Get bored easily?
• Lose track of conversations (having to ask, What
  were you saying?)?
• Suddenly return to reality (after driving past
  your exit on the freeway)?
• Know your job so well you could do it with my
  eyes closed?
• Daydream?

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INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

• These examples would show potential for
  inattention.
• A persons state of mind is his/her own personal
  property and, of course, cannot be controlled by
  a boss or the workplace.
• By not staying alert, individuals lose sight of
  what they are doing and are not aware of
  hazardous conditions or surroundings.

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STAY ALERT!

• In order to avoid the pitfalls inattention plays
  in STF injuries, perform these mental wake-up
  exercises.
• Concentrate on ways to do your job better, or
  safer, or more efficiently.
• Take micro-breaks by standing, flexing, or
  stretching to stimulate the mind and body.
• Pause and evaluate what has just occurred and
  review what is about to happen.
• Remain focused on your hand and foot positions.
• Check your balance and surroundings.
• Remind yourself what the costs of inattention
  could be.

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ELEVATED FALLS

• Falls from elevated surfaces are generally less
  frequent, but usually more severe than same-level
  falls. Some items usually involved in elevated
  falls include
• Uneven surfaces
• Stairs
• Ladders
• Docks/ramps
• Powered industrial lifts

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UNEVEN SURFACES

• A majority of elevated falls occur on walking and
  working surces that are not necessarily of any
  significant height.
• For example, a number of injuries have been
  reported involving stepping off the edge of a
  curb or sidewalk to stepping into animal holes.

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STAIRS

• Falls are the second leading cause of accidental
  deaths in the U.S. Of these fatal falls, nearly
  half occur on steps and stairways.
• To prevent a stairway fall, awareness and
  prevention remain the keys.
• Before setting foot on a stairway, the following
  preventative measures should be physically in
  place or consciously in your mind
• Whether goin up or down stairs, always use the
  handrail.
• Seeing where you are going is important. Msake
  sure the stairs are well lit with on/off switches
  at the top and bottom of the stairwell.
• Make sure the stairs are clear and free of all
  obstacles.

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STFs IN THE OFFICE

• Slips major causes are wet surfaces, occasional
  spills, or weather hazards
• Always clean up spills immediately or mark the
  wet areas so others can see the spill
• Trips common reasons for these are when view is
  obstructed, you take short cuts or there is
  clutter in or near the walkway
• Walkways must be kept free of objects and
  clutter.
• Remember to close file drawers after each use.
• Be aware of thresholds.
• Never carry a load that obstructs your vision.

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STFs IN THE OFFICE

• Falls most commonly caused by improper use of
  ladders
• Make sure you never use a chair or table as a
  step ladder to reach high places.
• When using a ladder, follow all safety tips.
• When using the stairs, always take one step at a
  time and make sure your foot is firmly planted
  before shifting your weight.
• Always use the handrails, and never jump from one
  level to the next.

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REMEMBER

• You can be extremely careful for years only to
  get hurt in two seconds of inattentino,
  distraction, or hurrying to get the job done.
• Instruction, training and constant reminders can
  only go so far.
• It is ultimately up to each individual to
• Plan
• Stay alert, and
• PAY ATTENTION!

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ANY QUESTIONS?