Slips, Trips

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FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE

How to prevent those Slips, Trips and Falls that
we have all experienced
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SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS ARE COSTLY

• Slips and trips happen in any part of the
  workplace, inside or outdoors.
• Slips and trips often result in falls and more
  serious outcomes, including disabling injuries
  and even death. The costs to both worker and
  employer can be great

To Employer
To Worker

• Lost wages
• pain
• temporary or permanent disability
• reduced quality of life
• Increased burdens on the rest of the family

• loss in productivity and business
• Increased insurance premiums
• costs associated with training a replacement
  worker

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INJURIES FROM SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

• Sprains, strains
• Bruises, contusions
• Fractures
• Abrasions, cuts

Commonly affected body parts
Common types of injuries

• Knee, Ankle, Foot
• Wrist, Elbow
• Back
• Shoulder
• Hip
• Head

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DEFINITIONS
Slip When there is too little friction or
traction between your feet (footwear) and the
walking or working surface, and you lose your
balance..
Friction The resistance encountered when an
object (foot) is moved in contact with another
(ground). Friction is necessary in order to walk
without slipping.
Fall Occurs when you are too far off your center
of balance.
Trip When your foot (or lower leg) hits an object
and your upper body continues moving, throwing
you off balance.
Can lead to
When you step down unexpectedly to a lower
surface (Misstep) and lose your balance, e.g.,
stepping off a curb.
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DEFINITIONS (CONTINUTED)
Two types of falls

• Fall-at-the-same-level

Fall-to-lower-level When you fall onto a level
below the one on which you are walking, working,
or standing.
When you fall to the surface you are walking or
standing on, or fall into or against objects at
or above the surface.
For example

• Step or stairs
• Ladder
• Platform
• Loading dock
• Truck bed

Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note highlighted
edges for better visibility to prevent walking
off ramp and falling.
Slip-resistant strips on steps
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CAUSES OF SLIPS
Some common causes of slips include the following
dry contamination making surfaces slippery
dusts, powders, granules, wood, lint, plastic
wrapping

• wet contamination/spills on smooth floors or
  surfaces water, fluids, mud, grease, oil, food
  

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Causes of Slips (CONTINUTED)

• highly polished floors, such as marble, terrazzo,
  or ceramic tile (can be extremely slippery even
  when dry)
• freshly waxed surfaces
• transitioning from one floor type to another
  (carpet to smooth surface flooring)

Transitioning from one type of flooring to
another with less traction may cause a slip if
one does not adjust for the change.
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Causes of Slips (CONTINUTED)

• sloped walking surfaces FO Garage, Kauffman
  roadway
• loose, unanchored rugs or mats building
  entrances
• loose floorboards or tiles that can shift
• shoes with wet, muddy, greasy, or oily soles

Sloping driveway which has no safe pedestrian
walkways
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CAUSES OF SLIPS (CONTINUTED)

• loose irregular surfaces, such as gravel
• weather hazards rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail,
  frost
• leaves, pine needles, plant debris (especially if
  wet)

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CAUSES OF TRIPS AND MISSTEPS
Some common causes of trips include

• uncovered cables, wires, or extension cords
  across aisles or pathways
• clutter, obstacles in aisles, walkways, and work
  areas
• open cabinet, file, or desk

In an emergency, you dont want any obstructions
blocking your exit route or causing you to fall
while attempting to escape.
Blocked exit route
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Causes of Trips and Missteps (CONTINUTED)

• changes in elevation or levels
  (unmarked steps, ramps)
• rumpled or rolled up carpets/ mats, carpets with
  curled edges
• irregularities in walking surfaces
  ( thresholds, gaps)
• missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks

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CAUSES OF TRIPS AND MISSTEPS (CONTINUTED)
Steep stairs (52-degree slope) with tall steps.
Note that it is also missing a handrail on the
left and a mid-rail on the existing one.

• damaged steps
• taller or shorter (varying rise)
• shallower tread depth
• otherwise irregular

Over 2.5 million falls on stairways result in
about 2 million disabling injuries yearly.
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Trips in Parking Lots and Garages
Unmarked elevation changes

• speed bumps
• curbs
• wheelchair accessible ramps
• driveways

Curbs
Speed bumps
Wheelchair accessible ramp
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Other Conditions Increasing the Risk of Slips
And Trips
Conditions and situations that make it difficult
to see potential hazards or that distract your
attention can contribute toward a slip or trip.
Can you see the worker on the stairs?

• Poor lighting
• Glare
• Shadows

• excessive noise, temperature

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Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And
Trips
Physical Condition
Health and physical condition can impair a
persons vision, judgment, and balance.

• Eyesight, visual perception
• Age
• Physical state, fatigue
• Stress, illness
• Medications, alcohol, drugs

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Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And
Trips (CONTINUTED)
Human Behavior
Behaviors actions you choose and control can
contribute to a slip, trip, and fall injury if
you practice careless work habits.

• Carrying or moving oversized objects, or too
  many objects, that may
• - obstruct your view
• - impair your balance
• - prevent you from holding onto handrails

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Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And
Trips (CONTINUTED)

• Inattentive walking, distractions (using cell
  phone, talking and not watching where youre
  going, etc.)
• Taking shortcuts not using walkways or
  designated cleared pathways
• Being in a hurry, rushing around moving too
  fast for safe practices in work environment

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Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And
Trips

• Poor housekeeping (allowing clutter to
  accumulate, not maintaining clean dry floors,)
• Using improper cleaning methods (e.g.,
  incorrectly using wax or polish or trying to
  clean up grease spill with water)
• Not using signs when slip or trip hazards exist

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Human Factors Increasing the Risk ofSlips And
Trips (CONTINUTED)
Footwear
Loose fitting flip-flops
Slick smooth-surfaced soles
High heels
footwear not suitable for the environment
(reduced traction)
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What Can You Do to Reduce Risk?

• Safety is everyones responsibility.

• You can reduce the risk of slipping by
• take your time and pay attention to where you are
  going
• adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable
  for the walking surface and the tasks you are
  doing
• making wide turns at corners.

• You can reduce the risk of tripping by
• always use sufficient light for your tasks
• using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where
  there is no light
• Make sure you can see your path clearly when
  carrying or pushing items

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What Can You Do to Reduce Risk? (CONTINUTED)

• Think about the tasks you are doing.

• You can reduce the risk of slipping by
• Wear slip resistant soles Rubber or Cork are
  best
• Walk around wet floor areas and request custodial
  signs
• Reports spills immediately
• Report broken or uneven surfaces

• You can reduce the risk of tripping by
• Keep aisles clear
• Minimize the use of carpets to entrances
• Use handrails when going up or down steps

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What Can You Do to Reduce Risk? (CONTINUTED)

• Keep a watchful eye on your environment

• You can reduce the risk of falling by
• Dont stand or chairs or desks
• Do not climb higher than waist height to the top
  of a ladder
• Wear sensible shoes especially on snow ice
• Report broken or uneven surfaces

• You can reduce the risk of falling by
• Remove loose cords or use a cord track
• Learn how to fall properly
• Practice balance exercises

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Thank you for your attention and have a Safe
Holiday Season!