Slips, Trips, and Falls

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls EHSRM February 2014

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls • Target Audience • All UAF employees and students • Objectives • Increase employee awareness to recognize slip, trip, and fall hazards at UAF • Encourage employee participation in identifying, reporting and preventing injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls See something, say something, do something

3. Slips, Trips, and Falls • Learning Objectives • General • UAF slips, trips and falls • Costs of slips, trips and falls • Definitions • Circumstances associated with slips, trips, falls • Risk factors • Types of injuries • Prevention • Reporting

4. Slips, Trips, and Falls - General • Majority of general industry accidents are caused by slips, trips and falls • Slips, trips and falls cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are the second leading cause behind motor vehicle accidents • Slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere in your work environment • Can result in falls, permanent disability and even death

5. Costs of Slips, Trips, and Falls • To the employee • Lost wages • Pain and suffering, embarrassment • Temporary or permanent disability • Reduced quality of life • Death • To the employer • Loss of productivity • Costs for overtime or training for replacement worker • Increased insurance premiums

6. UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls • 32% of all injuries at UAF are slips, trips and falls • Average annual costs due to workman’s comp claims at UAF: approximately $282,000 • Average annual total employee days away from work: 135 days

7. UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls (cont.) • In 2012, we had • 55 reported slips, trips and falls • 43 were outside, 12 inside • 33 of the 43 outside occurred during months when ice and snow are normally present • In 2013, we had • 65 reported slips, trips, and falls • 47 outside, 12 inside, 6 were falls from equipment • 28 of the 47 outside occurred during months when ice and snow are normally present

8. Definitions • Slip • Lack of friction or traction between footwear and walking or working surface that results in loss of balance

9. Definitions(cont.) • Trip • Foot or lower leg hitting an object and the upper body continues to move forward resulting in loss of balance

10. Definitions(cont.) • Fall • A fall occurs when one is too far off center of balance. • Two types of Falls • Fall at same level • Fall to same walking or working surface, or • Fall into or against objects above the same surface • Fall to lower level • Fall to level below walking or working surface

11. Slip Circumstances • Wet areas on walking surfaces • Dry products on walking surface • Freshly waxed surfaces • Icy walk ways • Transitioning from one surface to another • Sloped walking surfaces • Mounting and dismounting vehicles and equipment • Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel

12. Trip Circumstances • Uneven surfaces • Sidewalk/curb drops • Wheelchair ramps and curbs • Uncovered cables, wires or extension cords across aisles or walkways. • Clutter or obstacles in aisles or walkways • Open file cabinet or desk drawer • Irregularities in walking surfaces • Damaged steps on stairways • Elevator not level

13. Fall Circumstances • Slipping or tripping • Not wearing fall protection while working • Improper use of ladders • Inattention to surroundings • Condition of ground surfaces - Icy, wet, uneven, cluttered with debris • Improperly mounting/dismounting of equipment • Loss of balance • Unprotected edges

14. Risk Factors – Environmental Conditions Icy Surfaces Snow Buildup on Stairs Poor Lighting

15. Risk Factors - Environmental Conditions Fog or misty conditions Poor Housekeeping

16. Risk Factors – Human • Carrying objects that • Obstruct your view • Do not leave a free hand • Lack of situational awareness • Texting and walking or listening to music • Talking on cell phones while walking • In a hurry or taking shortcuts • Failing eyesight or visual perception • Age • Physical/medical conditions

17. Risk Factors – Human (cont.) Improper Use of Ladders Lack of Fall Protection Equipment

18. Types of Slip, Trip &Fall Injuries • Back and neck injuries • Head injuries • Muscle injuries • Joint injuries • Broken bones

19. Prevention: Identify the Hazards in the Photos

20. Prevention – Hazards Identified Snow on stairs creating an uneven surface Water on floor Cord in walkway Broom sticking out Stair tread pealed up

21. Prevention(cont.) • Report identified hazards – unsafe condition report • Wear proper footwear with good traction • Use hand rails when using stairways • Complete required trainings • Be aware of your surroundings Wear ice cleats Remove clutter from walkways Utilize fall protection

22. Reporting • To report accident/injury or near misses, use the Accident Injury Report • To report an unsafe condition, use the Unsafe Condition Report • To report icy conditions that need attention, please contact Facility Services directly at 474-7000 or dispatch@fs.uaf.edu or snowremoval@fs.uaf.edu Remember if you report an unsafe condition you are automatically entered into a quarterly incentive award drawing!

23. Contact Information Main Line • Carol Shafford 474-5413 cashafford@alaska.edu Ice Cleats, Loss Prevention • Billie Swaim 474-6164 bjswaim@alaska.edu Occupational Safety, Accident and Injury • Gary Beaudette 474-2763 gsbeaudette@alaska.edu • Kim Knudsen 474-5476 klamb1@alaska.edu www.uaf.edu/safety/