Most of us have probably experienced it. That brief period of lack of attention is caused by worrying about a personal problem or being distracted by an activity, which results in a slip, trip, or fall. Stumbling down a stairwell. A misstep on uneven terrain. It can result in various unfortunate outcomes, ranging from a simple bruised shin to a severe injury. It’s only one of many variables and settings that can lead to workplace slips, trips, and falls.
What are Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent occupational hazards. Many employees are in danger of sprains, strains, cuts, bruises, fractures, and other injuries as a result of them. At worst, they can result in death, particularly in high-risk vocations like construction. However, with proper training and safety standards, businesses can keep their employees safe from these threats.
Slips
Slips happen when the footwear has little to no grip on the walking surface. Since friction is insufficient to keep the feet on the ground, a person may lose their balance. For example, if a store employee hurries through a damp fruit aisle, they will most certainly slip onto the floor.
Trips
Tripping, on the other hand, occurs when a person’s foot strikes an item or steps down to a lower, uneven surface. Either of the two can throw a person off balance and cause them to lose their footing. An electrical engineer, for example, may tumble over tangled cables on the floor.
Falls
The greatest cause of fatalities among construction workers is falling. It may happen to anyone if they slip and lose their center of balance. An electrician, for example, may fall from a ladder while changing a light bulb.
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The Most Common Causes and Risk Factors
Slips, trips, and falls can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from uneven working surfaces to dangerous ladder positions. Knowing the reasons can assist managers in assessing risk factors and devising preventative measures.
This section describes the causes and risk factors associated with each category of hazard.
Slips
- Wet Spills(e.g. grease, oil, food, water, mud, etc.)
- Dry Spills (e.g., granules, plastic wraps, powder, dust, wood chips, etc.)
- Weather dangers (e.g., ice, snow)
- Mats and carpets that are loose and unsecured
- Floors made of concrete, ceramic tile, or marble
- newly waxed hardwood floors
- Walking surfaces that are slanted or uneven
- Shoes that are wet, dirty, and greasy
- Ramps or planks with no skid or slide resistance
- Surfaces made of metal
- Using ladders
Trips
- Litter on the floor
- Obstructed view
- Bad lighting
- Wrinkly carpets or mat
- Cables, wires, hoses, and extension cords that aren’t covered
- Open all the drawers, cabinets, and doors.
- uneven sidewalks, ramps, or stairs
- Bricks and floor tiles missing
- Irregular, inadequate, or inconsistent steps
Falls
- Shaky or broken ladders
- Ledges without a suitable railing
- Carrying large items
- Failure to utilize scaffolding guardrails
- Unprotected edges
- Ladders positioned riskily
- Equipment used improperly for height access and fall prevention
6 Guidelines for Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls at Workplace
Luckily, the majority of slip, trip, and fall occurrences may be prevented. Companies may prevent these occurrences from occurring in their workplaces by utilizing the proper safety equipment and providing personnel with the necessary training.
To prevent slips, trips, and falls at work and among their coworkers, safety officers should be aware of the following factors:
1. Good Housekeeping Practices
Good housekeeping is essential. Safety and cleanliness go hand in hand. If your facility’s housekeeping practices are inadequate, the outcome might be an increase in employee injuries, rising insurance costs, and regulatory fines. If an organization’s facilities are clearly clean and well-organized, it’s a solid sign that its overall safety approach is also successful.
2. Provide Sufficient Lighting in Walking Areas
People who stroll on poorly lighted sidewalks are more likely to trip and fall. They may knock over items and tumble on the floor if they cannot see their way well.
Workers can explore locations more easily if there is enough light. Given this, sufficient lighting should be installed in access and egress locations such as corridors, ramps, stairs, and exits.
3. Set up Safety Signs
Slip, trip, and fall prevention requires the use of safety signs and markings. Installing them informs people not to walk in dangerous areas, keeping them safe.
Different zones necessitate different safety signage. For example, companies may post a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign to warn customers about slick surfaces. Similarly, construction safety employs warning lines, control zones, and defined areas to indicate which sections are accessible and which are not.
4. Clean Spills Right Away
Spills are one of the most prevalent causes of workplace falls. They can take various forms, ranging from a dash of soda in a diner to a pail of water drenching the hospital floor. When the terrain is slick, feet lose traction and become unbalanced.
If spills occur, get them cleaned up as quickly as possible. Mop, sweep, or dry any substance on the floor that might cause another person to slip or trip. Proper cleaning ensures that the floor is clear of potentially harmful components, allowing people to walk safely. Consider different de-watering methods and equipment, such as a sump pump, to keep water off the floor.
5. Ensure that Proper Footwear is Worn
Aside from keeping the floors clean, it is also critical to provide workers with appropriate footwear. The proper footwear shields their feet from dangerous substances that might cause them to slip, trip, or fall.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifies the wearing of non-slip, traction-enhancing shoes. These shoes should also shield employees against static electricity, falling items, explosions, hazardous material exposure, and other hazards.
Furthermore, when on work surfaces, avoid wearing sandals, canvas shoes, high heels, or open-toed shoes. These forms of footwear might enhance the risk of injury.
6. Keep and improve floor condition
Fall safety extends beyond merely wiping up spills on the floor. It also entails paying close attention to the condition of walking and working surfaces.
Modifying the floor space may go a long way toward preventing slips, trips, and falls. Here are some of the best practices that businesses may use to improve the condition of their floors:
- Inspect floors on a regular basis for cracks, holes, missing blocks, uneven surfaces, and other dangers that might cause people to trip.
- Invest in non-slippery, robust flooring.
- Mats, abrasive-filled paint-on coating, pressure-sensitive abrasive strips, and synthetic decking should all be installed. They offer enough friction while reducing foot stress.
Closing Thoughts
While slips, trips, and falls are frequently caused by carelessness or clumsiness, the good news is that the majority of mishaps are avoidable. To minimize possible problems, it is vital to inspect your work environment on a regular basis. Remember that paying attention to dangers on a regular basis can help keep your staff and customers safe and out of harm’s way.
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