SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

2. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS Marissa Salo Morgan, MS Safety and Health Specialist Montana Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety and Health Bureau Safety Fest 2010 - Missoula

3. HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING? • Better than this…I hope

4. LEGAL

5. OSH Act • Sec 5(a) Each employer… • (1) shall furnish each of his/her employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to his/her employees; • (2) shall comply with the occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act. • (b) Each employee... • shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his/her own actions and conduct

6. CFR 1910.22 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS • (a) Housekeeping. • All places of employment, shall be kept clean, orderly and sanitary. • The floor shall be clean and, so far as possible dry • Every floor shall be kept free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards.

7. CFR 1910.22 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS • (b) Aisles and passageways. • Sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed. • Aisles shall be kept clear and in good repairs • (c) Covers and guardrails. • Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.

8. ECONOMICAL

11. DEFINITIONS

12. WHAT ARE SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS? • Slip • Occurs when there is too little traction or friction between the shoe and walking surface. • Trip • Occurs when a person’s foot contacts an object in their way or drops to a lower level unexpectedly. • Fall • Occurs when you are too far off balance.

13. HOW DO FALLS HAPPEN? • Both slops and trips result from some a kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface.

14. TYPES OF FALLS • Same Level • When you fall to the surface you are walking on. Same level falls are more common. • From Elevation • When you fall to a level below the one you are walking on. Falls from elevation are more severe.

16. NATIONAL STATISTICS

17. FALLS • According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips and falls are the most common occupational accident. • The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 234,840 employees suffered non-fatal injuries in the work environment in 2008. • The Bureau reported that 579 (preliminary) employees died from a fall in 2009.

18. MONTANA STATISTICS

19. Reference: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations Division, Worker’s Compensation Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2009 .

20. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS FOR MONTANA 2008 • 22.6% of work injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls. • 21.3% of work injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls. 2009 21.3% Reference: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations Division, Worker’s Compensation Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2009 and 2008.

30. SLIPS

31. CAUSES OF SLIPS • There are many different causes of slips. • Here are just a few examples: • Wet spills or contamination on floors: • Water • Mud • Oil/grease • Food, etc. • Dry contamination on floors: • Dusts • Wood, • Powders, etc.

32. CAUSES OF SLIPS • Loose, unanchored mats • Highly polished floors • Transitioning from one surface to another Dirty shoes Little traction

33. CAUSES OF SLIPS • Environmental factors: • Rain, snow, frost, ice • Irregular surfaces, such as gravel or bricks

34. CAUSES OF SLIPS • Loose tiles or floorboards that can shift • Ramps without skid or slip resistant surfaces • Metal surfaces

35. ACTIVITY • How is your traction…??

36. TRIPS

37. CAUSES OF TRIPS • There are many factors that contribute to trips. • Here are a few examples: • Uncovered cables, wires or extension cords • Clutter, obstacles in walkways

38. CAUSES OF TRIPS • Irregular walking surfaces • Changes in elevation (e.g., unmarked steps) • Damaged steps • Non-uniform or irregular steps: • Varying tread depth, varying height

39. CAUSES OF TRIPS • Carpets or mats that are not lying flat or have rolled up edges • Missing or uneven floor tiles • Uneven surfaces

40. CAUSES OF TRIPS • Objects protruding from walking surfaces • Sidewalk/curb drops • Uneven surfaces

41. SLIPS, TRIPS….AND FALLS

42. ACTIVITY • Can you get in your vehicle…?

43. MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING SAFELY • Make sure your shoes are clean of any mud, snow, grease, or any other slippery substance. • Make sure the step, foothold or platform that you will be using is also clean, free of defects and properly secured. • Always face the equipment when mounting or dismounting. • Have a firm hold with your hands and step up, placing your foothold under the arch. • Keep three points of contact at all times. • Do not jump off while dismounting – step down carefully while facing the equipment.

44. RISK FACTORS

45. RISK FACTORS THAT COULD INCREASE STF • Age • Body shape, size and mass • Walking dynamics • Physical condition, illness • Psychological factors, stress and distractions • Medications, alcohol or drug effects • Visual perception

46. RISK FACTORS THAT COULD INCREASE STF • Poor lighting • Glare • Using bulky equipment or awkward clothing, PPE • Loud noise or distraction • Temperature or precipitation • Traffic type or volume • Change in elevation while walking

47. HUMAN FACTORS

48. HUMAN FACTORS • Poor housekeeping • Using improper cleaning processes • Failing to use signs when slip, trip, and fall hazards are present • Inattentive walking • Taking shortcuts • Being in a hurry

49. HUMAN FACTORS • Improper footwear for work environments or environmental conditions.

50. ACTIVITY • What are some solutions…?