Slips, trips &falls

Slips, trips, and falls are major causes of workplace injuries. Statistics show that the majority (67%) of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. [1]

To prevent these incidents, it's crucial to implement comprehensive safety procedures and regulations focusing on hazard identification, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.

Key areas to address include:

• Good housekeeping practices
• Flooring
• Footwear
• Safe walking practices

Good housekeeping is the first and the most important (fundamental) level of preventing falls due to slips and trips. [2]

Here's a breakdown of specific measures:

• Clean spills immediately: Address spills promptly to eliminate slippery surfaces.
• Mark wet areas: Use warning signs to indicate wet or slippery floors.
• Remove obstacles: Keep walkways clear of clutter, debris, and obstructions.
• Secure mats and rugs: Ensure mats, rugs, and carpets lay flat and are secured to prevent tripping hazards.
• Close drawers: Always close file cabinet or storage drawers to prevent tripping.
• Cover cables: Cover cables that cross walkways to eliminate tripping hazards.
• Maintain lighting: Keep working areas and walkways well lit, replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches promptly.

Changing or modifying walking surfaces is the next level of preventing slip and trips. [3]

• Recoat or replace floors: Use materials with appropriate traction for the environment.
• Install mats: Use mats in areas prone to wetness or spills.
• Install pressure-sensitive abrasive strips or abrasive-filled paint-on coating and metal or synthetic decking can further improve safety and reduce the risk of falling.
• Resilient, non-slippery flooring prevents or reduces foot fatigue and contributes to slip-prevention measures.

In workplaces where floors may be oily or wet or where workers spend considerable time outdoors, prevention of fall incidents should focus on selecting proper footwear. [3]

• Select appropriate footwear: Choose footwear with adequate slip resistance for the specific work environment.
• Properly fitting footwear increases comfort and prevents fatigue which, in turn, improves safety for the employee.

You can reduce the risk of slipping on wet flooring by:

• taking your time and paying attention to where you are going
• adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing
• walking with the feet pointed slightly outward
• making wide turns at corners [3]

• Pay attention: Focus on your surroundings and potential hazards.
• Adjust your stride: Modify your walking pace based on the surface conditions.
• **Use installed light sources that provide sufficient light for your tasks
• making sure that things you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc.

Safety is everybody's duty, so workers as much as employers should:

• Be aware when walking through a parking lot - watch for cars as well as fall hazards.
• Never assume that the driver will see you first.
• Clean or report spills right away.
• Clear away clutter and debris, if they can. Wear appropriate footwear for the situation (e.g., non-slip footwear in the winter).
• Report hazardous conditions to their supervisors.
• Remain aware that falls can happen anywhere, anytime. [4]