SLIPS & FALLS

SLIPS AND FALLS AT THE SAME LEVEL ARE ON THE RISE AS A PERCENTAGE OF INJURY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. FALLS

FROM HEIGHT STILL TOP THE OSHA CHARTS FOR MAJOR INJURIES.

THESE KINDS OF INCIDENTS ARE OFTEN THE RESULT OF POOR HOUSEKEEPING.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGELIMINATING SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE

STORING MATERIALS IN A SAFE MANNER THAT DOES NOT CREATE A HAZARD FOR EMPLOYEES

CLEAR WALKWAYS AND EGRESS ROUTES

WORKING SURFACES CLEAR OF UNNECESSARY CLUTTER, CLEANED AT THE END OF EACH SHIFT

FLOORS, WORKPLACES AND PASSAGEWAYS CLEAR OF PROTRUDING NAILS, HOLES OR LOOSE BOARDS.

PROPERLY COVERED / GUARDED OPEN PITS, TANKS, VATS OR DITCHES

HOUSEKEEPING = SAFETY

POOR HOUSEKEEPING LEADS TO:

• WET OR MUDDY FLOORS THAT CREATE SLIPS

• DUSTY (AND THUS LOW TRACTION) FLOORS AND HANDRAILS

• LESS VISIBLE CAUTIONARY MARKINGS

• OBSTRUCTIONS AND CLUTTER IN WALKWAYS

• ELECTRICAL HAZARDS DUE TO STRAY WIRING

• HIGHER EQUIPMENT COSTS DUE TO LOST OR MISPLACED SUPPLIES

EASY HOUSEKEEPING

• CLEAN THE WORK AREA AT THE END OF EACH SHIFT.

• SWEEP FLOORS REGULARLY, DAILY IF POSSIBLE

• REMOVE ICE AND SNOW PROMPTLY AND USE TRACTION AIDS AS NEEDED

• DON’T LET CLUTTER AND EXCESS MATERIALS BUILD UP OUTSIDE PROPERLY ORGANIZED STORAGE AREAS

• REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED RAILINGS, STAIRS AND THRESHOLDS IMMEDIATELY.

• PROPER LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS

COST OF SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

THE COST TO EMPLOYERS IS BOTH OBVIOUS AND SUBTLE:

• LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY & BUSINESS

• HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS

• TRAINING REPLACEMENT WORKERS

• LAWSUITS

• LOSS OF REPUTATION

COST OF SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

FOR THE WORKER IT IS MORE PERSONAL:

• LOST PAY ON TOP OF CO-PAYS AND OTHER OUT OF POCKET COSTS

• BEING INJURED, EVEN IF THERE IS NO PERMANENT DISABILITY

• POTENTIAL FOR PERMANENT INJURY OR DEATH

NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW IT HAPPENS, BEING INJURED IS NO FUN.

SLIPS, TRIPS & FALL (STF) RATE

• STF INCIDENTS ARE THE TOP FORM OF GENERAL INDUSTRY ACCIDENTS

• SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH, BEHIND MOTOR VEHICLES

• ACCOUNT FOR ROUGHLY ONE FOURTH OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS

• COULD BE AVOIDED MOST OF THE TIME IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS WERE IN PLACE

• FALL PREVENTION VIOLATIONS ARE THE MOST CITED OSHA VIOLATIONS

• INCREASED BY RUSHING, TRYING TO CARRY TOO MUCH, BEING DISTRACTED