Text Box: OSHA's regulations regarding ladders in general industry can be found in standards:                29 CFR 1910.25 - Portable wood ladders              29 CFR 1910.26 - Portable metal ladders              29 CFR 1910.27 - Fixed ladders OSHA's regulations regarding stairways in general industry can be found in standards:                29 CFR 1910.21(b)(8) - Walking-Working Surfaces: Definitions              29 CFR 1910.24 - Fixed industrial stairs

 

· At UWSP, in 2005, slippery surfaces such as water, ice and grease were the #2 cause of worker's compensation claims and falls on the same level were the #4 cause 

· According to OSHA, slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of workplace
accidents.  In 2002, 37% of workplace injuries were slips, trips and falls.

· Falls, fatal and nonfatal, are a serious safety concern in the workplace, taking 715 lives and causing 313,335 injuries involving a work absence every year.

· Same level falls, like slips and trips, make up 65% of fall injuries.

· Most slip, trip and fall incidents are preventable with general precautions and safety measures. 

· Falls can cause serious injuries such as severe head injuries, back injuries,
paralysis, broken bones, sprains and strains to muscles and even death.  

· Trying to catch your balance when you slip or trip can cause sprains and strains to muscles or joints and permanent back injuries, even if you don’t fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Thank you for taking the time to learn about safety and health and how to prevent future injuries!  

 

Preventing Injuries from
 Slips, Trips & Falls

Text Box:                 · all areas of employment should be kept clean and sanitary                 · the floors shall be kept clean and dry and where wet processes used,                 · they shall be kept as dry as practical                 · aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair                 · permanent aisles and passageways shall be marked Text Box:                · the floor of every workroom shall remain as dry as practical                · if wet processes are used, proper drainage and dry standing places (mats,                   platforms) shall be provided Text Box:               · every stairway floor opening shall be guarded by a standard railing constructed                  in accordance with paragraph (e) of 1910.23               · every ladder floor opening or platform shall be guarded with a standard toeboard on all                  exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening)                          · any floor hole that could be walked into must have standard railing or toeboard                  surrounding it               · for infrequently used floor holes, such as trapdoors, a cover that is of standard strength                  and construction shall be used; when the cover is not in place, the opening shall be                  constantly attended by someone or shall be protected by removable standard railings Text Box: Falls from elevation Text Box: Because there are numerous causes of slips and trips, prevention takes various measures including housekeeping and storage measures, footwear requirements, appropriate work practices, maintenance of walking and working surfaces and employee education and awareness.        Text Box: Some conditions that create slip hazards include: Text Box: Some conditions that create trip hazards include: Text Box: Cluttered office space can create hazards Text Box: · Housekeeping · Change in elevation · Poor lighting · Footwear · Personal factors · Environmental factors · Task factors Text Box: Slip resistant safety shoes Text Box: Old shoes and high heels may increase the risk of slips, trips and falls  Text Box: Display "Wet Floor" signs. Text Box: Use anti-slip mats. Text Box: · Housekeeping · Wet or slippery surfaces · Footwear · Poor lighting · Personal factors · Environmental factors · Task factors Text Box: Footwear plays a large role in the prevention of slips, trips and falls.  The slickness of the sole and type of heal may cause accidents.  Employees who work in environments that could cause foot injuries are required to wear protective footwear per OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.136.  Jobs that are likely to require safety shoes include, but are not limited to:                               · carpenters                             · welders                             · plumbers                             · maintenance mechanics                             · grounds workers operating heavy machinery or tools                             · power plant maintenance workers. There are numerous types of safety shoes, including waterproof, slip-resistant, static dissipative, puncture resistant and steel toed.  Care of the shoes is also important - footwear should be inspected before each use for damage, as shoes wear, their effectiveness may be reduced.                      For more information on protective footwear:                             Personal Protective Equipment (OSHA)                             Safety Footwear (CCOHS) Off the job, footwear also poses a hazard.  Wearing shoes that have worn soles or too high of a heel can cause slip, trip and fall incidents.  Anticipating walking surfaces and environmental conditions and wearing shoes that reflect those conditions will help prevent accidents. Text Box: Poor lighting in stairwells and lack of accessible light switches can create a major hazard Text Box: Inadequate lighting can hide slip, trip and fall hazards and is associated with an increase in accidents.  Maintaining appropriate lighting in workplaces, public buildings and at home is an important factor in reducing accidents.  Here are some ways that can prevent and control poor lighting conditions in various environments:                        · Have light switches accessible, preferably near entrances to rooms                    · Keep a flashlight in a central location to use in case of a power outage or                       emergency                    · If a worker faces a window, shades can be used to reduce glare                    · Move slowly where light is dim                    · Diffuse light to reduce glare                    · Use a light-colored, matte finish on walls, ceilings and floors to reduce glare                    · Perform regular maintenance on lighting systems to reduce flickering or burnt-out lights Text Box: An individual’s gait, or how they walk, can affect the risk of a slip, trip and fall incident Text Box: Even a small crack in a sidewalk can be a hazard. Text Box: If you must walk on a slippery surface: · Point your feet slightly outward, keeping your center of balance under you   · Take slow, small steps   · Use your feet as probes to detect possible slip, trip and fall hazards   · Get your feet underneath your body quickly to maintain your balance after an initial step   · Pay close attention to the walking surface   · Use rails or other stable objects that you can hold onto   · Protect the more venerable parts of your body, like your head, neck and spine, if you do fall Text Box: Changes in Elevation Text Box: Personal Factors Text Box: Changes in elevation are a major source of trip accidents.  Experts estimate that even a change in walking surface of ¼” - ½” or greater will be sufficient to cause a trip.  Curbs, cracks in the sidewalk, ramps and single steps are all examples of hazards.  Changes in elevation may be almost unavoidable, but here are some simple ways to reduce accidents caused by these hazards:                      · Place signs to warn walkers of bumps or changes in elevation                      · Use adhesive caution tape to mark changes in elevation or paint curbs or steps yellow yellow               to warn walkers                      · If the change in elevation is temporary (due to remodeling, etc.) use barricades to  to                     create an alternative route to avoid the hazard                      · Learn how to “walk defensively” - follow safe walking procedures Text Box: There are numerous personal factors that may increase an individual’s risk of a slip, trip or fall.  These may include:                     · Age                     · Body shape or mass                     · Gait dynamics (the particular way an individual walks)                     · Physical condition                     · Perception (an individual’s ability to see and their awareness of the surroundings)                     · Psychological and psychosocial factors (stress and distractions)  Much like being a “defensive driver” to avoid accidents, one must also be a “defensive walker” to avoid slips, trips and falls.  Here are some simple ways to alter your behavior and avoid hazards:                             · Watch where you are going while walking—pay attention and look for slip, trip and fall hazards                             · Walk, don’t run—make sure to give yourself enough time to get where you’re going                             · Don’t engage in activities that may be distracting—for example, reading or writing while walking                             · Use handrails while climbing or descending stairs                             · Check that your walkway is clear and that your view is not blocked before you lift anything                             · Don’t carry a load that you can’t see over or around while carrying                             · Walk carefully and slowly when you transition from one walking surface to another                             · Slow down and take small steps if the walking surface is cluttered, narrow, uneven, slippery or                            at an angle                             · Wear stable shoes with non-slip soles        Text Box: Weather conditions such as ice, snow or rain can increase the risk of an accident. Text Box: Some examples of environmental factors are:                 · Temperature and humidity                 · Precipitation                 · Type and volume of traffic in walking area                 · Walking surface                 · Lighting conditions in walking area  Because many of these conditions are out of an individual’s control, wearing the right shoes for weather and walking conditions and walking cautiously will help prevent accidents. At UWSP, contact Buildings and Grounds Department at x3622 or x4219 to report any areas that are in need of snow clearing, and/or salting and sanding.  After 4:00pm if no answer, contact Protective Services at x3456       Text Box: Environmental Factors Text Box: When carrying objects on steps, be sure you are able to see where you are going and can hold onto the handrail. Text Box: Highlighting stair edges helps decrease the risk of accidents. Text Box: Pushing an object, such as a wheelbarrow can increase the risk of a slip, trip or fall incident. Text Box: Task factors are characteristics of the work performed that can affect the risk of slip, trips and fall hazards.  For example:            · Pushing or pulling objects            · Shape and weight of an object carried            · Change in direction while walking  Although these factors, like environmental ones, sometimes cannot be altered, you can be cautious while transporting objects:                     · Limit the amount of objects that you carry                     · Ensure the things that you are carrying, pushing or pulling do not block your view                     · Carry small loads close to your body, maintaining your center of balance                     · Make sure you have a clear path to walk on before beginning tasks       Text Box: Falls are the second leading cause of fatal accidents (only after automobile accidents), and of those falls, nearly 50% occur on stairs.  Keeping stairs in good repair is essential to prevent accidents.  Make sure that stairways have secure handrails and guardrails, even surfaces, even tread heights and are free of deteriorating coverings such as fraying carpets.  To prevent an accident, awareness and prevention are key—here are some simply ways to prevent a fall incident on stairways:                     · Whether going up or down stairs, always use the handrail                     · Make sure stairways are well lit, with on/off switches at the top and bottom                     · Make sure stairways are clear of any obstacles                     · Make sure that the edge of the bottom stair is noticeable—if the stairs and floor have have                the same carpeting or same paint color, it may not be obvious where the stairs end.                        Painting the edge white or using adhesive caution tape will help differentiate the stairs stairs              from the floor                     · If you are wearing footwear such as high heels, slippers or sandals take extra caution caution            while going up and down stairs                     · If throw rugs are positioned at the top or bottom of stairways, make sure they are are                  secured with a skid-resistant backing                     · Routinely check stairs for loose or warn carpeting and make repairs when necessary                     · Keep outdoor stairways free of ice, snow or water accumulation                     · When carrying objects up and down steps, be sure you are able to see where you are are                  stepping and can hold onto the handrail  The chances of fall accidents in stairways increases with inattention, illness, fatigue and haste, so take care when ascending and descending stairways. OSHA's regulations regarding stairways in general industry can be found in standards:             29 CFR 1910.21(b)(8) - Walking-Working Surfaces: Definitions             29 CFR 1910.24 - Fixed industrial stairs                     For more information on stair safety:                             Stairways and Ladders (OSHA)                             OHS Answers: Stairways (CCOHS)             Text Box: Damaged or deteriorated ladders increase the risk for a fall incident.  Text Box: Use a 4-to-1 ratio when setting up a single or extension ladder. Text Box: Injuries from falls may be caused by a variety of sources.  Many of these sources, like curbs, flaws in parking lots and uneven lawns, are not of significant height, but have caused significant injuries.  The best way to prevent injuries such as these is to be aware of where you are going and pay attention to your walking surface.  split platform on a ladderText Box: There are a few hazards associated with ladder use:            · Ladder structure may deteriorate            · Ladders may tip sideways, backwards and slip at the bottom            · Ladders not fully opened or locked may cause the ladder to “walk,” twist or close up when a load is load        applied to the ladder            · Using metal ladders around electricity            · Using fixed ladders without fall protection or cages          Here are some basic rules you should follow when using a ladder:                     · Set up ladders or step stools on firm, solid ground                     · Always face the ladder when ascending or descending                     · Choose the right ladder length for the job                     · Be sure shoes are not muddy, greasy or slippery before climbing                     · Never lean too far to the sides, keep your hips within the side rails                     · Maintain a “three-point contact” by keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand hand                 on the ladder at all times                     · Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top on straight or extension ladders, or           the                   the second tread from the top on stepladders                     · Never jump off a ladder—always dismount from the bottom rung                     · Inspect ladders before using                     · If the ladder is set up in passageways or areas with traffic, secure the ladder and block off the                   the area                     · Do not set a ladder or step stoop on other objects, such as tables, boxes or scaffolding                     · Never move a ladder when someone is on it                     · Do not tie ladders together, unless they are manufactured to be used that way                     · Never leave an unsecured ladder set-up unattended                      · Hold onto a ladder with both hands when going up or down—raise or lower needed materials with                 with a rope before ascending or descending a ladder                     · Keep ladders at least 10 feet away from power lines—even wet or dirty wood ladders can                  can conduct electricity                     · Use a 4-to-1 ratio when setting up a single or extension ladder– for example: place a 12 foot                  foot ladder so that the bottom is 3 feet away from the object the ladder is leaning against                     · Any damaged ladders should be removed from the worksite for repair or to be discarded, until                 until they can be, label or tag any ladders that have flaws accordingly—“Dangerous. Do not use.”          If the ladder is fixed:                     · Make sure to wait until other people have cleared the ladder before ascending or descending                       the ladder                     · Be sure to use the proper safety devices, such as a restraint belt or traveling fixture  OSHA's regulations regarding ladders in general industry can be found in standards:             29 CFR 1910.25 - Portable wood ladders             29 CFR 1910.26 - Portable metal ladders             29 CFR 1910.27 - Fixed ladders                     For more information on ladder safety:                             Stairways and Ladders (OSHA)                             OHS Answers: Ladders (CCOHS)                             Construction Safety Series: Ladders (WorkSafeBC)     Text Box: Wet or slippery surfaces are a major cause of slips.  Many surfaces such as marble and ceramic tile can be extremely slippery even when dry.  Spills and environmental factors such as rain, snow and mud add to the problem.  Food preparation areas and residential dorm bathrooms and kitchens are also at high risk for slippery surfaces.  Simple ways to reduce the occurrence of wet or slippery floors:              · Use anti-skid adhesive tape in high traffic areas              · Use absorbent mats in entrance ways during inclement weather                         Caution:  unanchored mats may cause slip hazards                                       themselves—make sure that mats lie flat and that                                                                the backing material will not slide on the floor                  · Display wet floor signs when appropriate, note that signs are a great awareness                  tool but should not be the only means of control, clean up spills and wet floors as as             soon as practical               · Have a procedure to deal with spills               · Use proper mats in areas that tend are “spill prone” (bathing facilities, food preparation)               · When wet processes are used, maintain proper drainage or use platforms or mats Text Box: Falls from elevated surfaces are less common, but more severe than falls occurring on the same level, such as slips and trips.   There are numerous “risk areas” for falls, ranging in elevation from uneven surfaces, such as curbs, to ramps or platforms.  Many of the accidents caused at these sites are due to lack of proper fall protection or inattentiveness while working or using the surface.                                      Some common conditions that                                     create fall hazards include:       Text Box: · Stairs · Uneven surfaces · Ladders Text Box: Practicing good housekeeping may be the most important measure in preventing slip and trip incidents.  Having a clean and organized working environment will not only help reduce the risk of injuries from these types of incidents, it will also help employees work more efficiently and increase employee morale — nobody wants to work in a cluttered, dirty and potentially hazardous environment.  Although housekeeping may be delegated to custodial staff in most work environments, it is everyone’s job to keep their workplace orderly.  Developing a housekeeping program can be done in three easy steps:              1.  Plan ahead:  know what needs to be done, when it should be done and what the                           workspace should look like when you’re finished picking up.              2.  Assign responsibilities:  of course, individuals should be responsible to clean up after                           him or herself, but assigning responsibilities for shared spaces may be helpful to                           ensure that housekeeping duties are completed.              3.  Implement the program:  make housekeeping duties a part of the daily routine. Following this simple rule will reduce the risk of slip and trip injuries: If you drop it, pick it up. If you spill it, wipe it up. Look where you are going, and go where you are looking.         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box:  Downloads  Slips, Trips & Falls PowerPoint Informational Poster Slips, Trips & Falls Handout

 

 

 

 

     

 

  

 

 Text Box: From Elevation