Fall Prevention Slips, Trips, & Falls: How do we prevent them?

Slips

Too little friction or traction between your feet & walking surface, resulting in loss of balance. Ex. Slipping on ice

Trips

Foot or lower leg hits object & your upper body continues moving, resulting in a loss of balance. Ex. Tripping over cluttered floors

Falls

Occur when a person becomes too far off their center of balance.

MOST COMMON CAUSE OF SERIOUS WORK RELATED INJURIES & DEATHS

Why is this important to us?

Frequency of STFs Slips, trips, & falls can happen anywhere at

any time. 15% of all accidental deaths (OSHA)▪ 12,000/year

2nd leading cause behind motor vehicles

MOST COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED

Typical Injury Sites

Knee, ankle and/or foot Wrist and/or elbow Back and/or shoulder Hip Head

How does this affect us?

Lost wages & out-of-pocket expenses.

Pain. Temporary or permanent disability. Reduced quality of life. Depression. Death.

Worker’s Compensation

A no-fault system of benefits paid by employers to workers who experience work-related injuries or diseases. Resolved by Illinois Workers’

Compensation Commission

How does this affect our employer?

Loss of productivity & business. Increased industrial insurance

premiums. Costs associated with training a

replacement.

How does this affect our families? Worker’s compensation only replaces

between 32-41% of wages being lost. Lifestyle changes

Increasing demands on family members. How are you going to work and take care of the

injured individual? In 38% of studies, family members cut back

on other household activities or school to replace injured worker’s home activities. Falling behind

What should we watch out for?

Causes of Slips Wet product or spills

on walking surfaces. Water, mud, grease,

food, blood, etc… Transitioning from one

surface to another.

Highly-polished floors.

Freshly-waxed surfaces.

Weather hazards.

Causes of Trips Poor lighting. Uncovered hoses,

cables, or wires across walkways.

Clutter in walkways. Change in elevation or

levels. Rumpled

carpets/mats. Missing or uneven

floor tiles & bricks.

Health Factors that Increase Risk

Failing eyesight. Age. Physical condition & fatigue. Stress or illness. Medications, alcohol, & drug effects.

How safe is your home?

Prevention

Individual Tactics to Prevent STFs

Good housekeeping. Maintaining clear, tidy areas free of clutter

Eyesight check-ups. Paying attention to your surroundings.

Look up from your phone! Wearing proper footwear.

Good traction

Individual Tactics to Prevent STFs

Taking your time. Learning to fall “properly”.

There are techniques to minimize injuries Maintaining good physical activity.

Improves strength, balance, coordination, & flexibility

Workplace Safety

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=0aeQNL8Y4yA

Workplace Tactics to Prevent STFs

Clear walkways & aisles. Avoid storing materials in aisles Clearly define location of walkway with tape

Cover exposed cords. Provide a guard rail around every elevated

open sided platform, floor, or runway. BE ORGANIZED.

What do these pictures imply to you?

Workplace Tactics to Prevent STFs

Using floor mats. When walking into building

Regular management inspections. After end of the day cleaning has been performed

Provide positive feedback for safe practices. Wet floor signs

Require an annual safety course for employees.

Now what can you tell me about falls?