Workplace Slips, Trips and Falls

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Chapter : Fall Protection 

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

Slips, trips, and falls are frequent causes of accidents both on and off the job. It constitute the majority of general industry accidents and result in back injuries, strains and sprains, contusions, and fractures. Additionally, they cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.

What causes slips, trips, and falls?

A slip occurs when there is too little traction or friction between the shoe and walking surface. A trip occurs when a person’s foot contacts an object or drops to a lower level unexpectedly, causing them to be thrown off-balance. A fall occurs when a person is too far off balance. People slip on water or oil spills; they trip over small objects and electrical cords; and they fall off ladders or down stairways.

There are many situations that can cause slips, trips and falls. Slips, trips, and falls can be prevented, but only if everyone does his/her part. First, always be alert to potential hazards in unfamiliar surroundings. Spot-check walkways and work areas to be sure that no trip or slip hazards exist. Even more importantly, when you find a fall hazard, make sure that something is done to correct it. The majority of slips, trips, and falls at work are caused by obvious hazards, most of which could have been easily corrected. Water and oil spills, small objects on the floor, electrical cords, and objects hanging out into walkways will eventually trip someone, so take a moment to eliminate these obvious hazards.

Roles of Employers and Employees

Employer's Roles

What are my roles in preventing STF in the workplace?
Employers must ensure that all foreseeable STF hazards are identified and effective control measures implemented to prevent employees or workers working under his direct control from slipping and tripping. This includes:

• Conducting risk assessments to remove or control STF risks at the workplace;
• Maintaining safe work environment, such as selecting the right type of anti-slip flooring and providing adequate lighting; and
• Providing persons at work with adequate instruction, training and supervision.

How can I improve on STF prevention in my workplace?

• Encourage employees to report STF near misses and accidents in order to prevent similar incidents;
• Establish clear housekeeping standards and set the expectations for everyone to maintain the standards;
• Conduct routine inspection of your workplace to ensure all foreseeable STF hazards have been addressed and existing STF control measures are effective and in good condition; and
• Establish a WSH suggestion programme for your workplace and encourage employees to submit their ideas on STF prevention.

Employee's Roles

What are my roles in preventing STF in the workplace?

Employees must adhere to safe work procedures and not endanger yourself or others through unsafe behavior, such as running across a wet and slippery surface. Employees should also use any personal protective equipment, such as non-slip shoes, as intended to ensure your own safety and health at work.

How can I help improve STF prevention in my work area?

• Hang power cords over aisles or work areas to prevent tripping accidents;
• Clear up spillages promptly;
• Keep floors and stairs dry and clean;
• Do not leave materials and boxes lying haphazardly around;
• Report poor lighting in work area or walkway to your supervisor;
• Report any slip and trip hazards to your supervisor immediately; warn others in the area before the hazards are removed;
• Report near misses and accidents promptly to your supervisor; and
• Submit STF prevention suggestions to your supervisor, for e.g. a solution to preventing contamination (water, oils, powder, etc) from getting onto the floor.

Accident/Incident Case Studies:

Slippery Floor Caused Worker’s Death

A worker slipped, fell and hit her head at the bread cooling area of a factory in the wee hours of the morning. She lapsed into unconsciousness and subsequently passed away at the hospital.

Slipped and Fell During Maintenance of Concrete Mixer Drum
After dismantling one of the blades, a technician attempted to climb out of the mixer drum. He lost his balance, slipped and fell back into the mixer drum.

Worker Lost Balance and Fell from Lorry
A worker who was standing on the lorry bed lost his balance and fell onto the adjacent lane. He was hit by an oncoming vehicle and died a day later.

Tips for avoiding slips, trips, and falls

• Always practice good housekeeping. Don’t leave loose objects on walking working surfaces.
• Never leave water or oil spills unattended. If they can't be cleaned up immediately, set up a barrier so that people know about the hazard.
• Never allow an object to sit on stairways or ramps. Cartons, boxes, and other obstacles are especially dangerous here.
• Always use a ladder or stepstool. Never stand on a chair, desk, shelf, crate or box or any other unstable items to reach something. If you must routinely reach items in high locations, purchase a ladder or stepstool to allow it to be done safely.
• Report or repair loose or damaged handrails, stairway treads, mats, and walkway runners. Sometimes even a small worn spot can cause someone to trip.
• Wear proper footwear. Wear footwear that is appropriate for the conditions inside and outside. On smooth or wet surfaces, always wear shoes with slip resistant soles.
• Ensure proper lighting. Report burned out lights, as well as walkways and work areas that are too dark.
• When walking, don’t carry loads that block your vision. If you can’t see where you are going, a trip and fall is inevitable.
• Post signs to warn of dangerous areas. For example, paint edges where elevation changes occur with yellow paint to alert employees to the change in elevation.
• Use hand or safety rails on stairways. It’s the best way to keep your balance.
• Report any floor openings that are not protected. These openings can cause very serious falls.
• Keep away from the edge of unprotected floors/roofs that are elevated. If you lose your balance while working close to the edge, gravity is always going to win!

LEARNING POINTS

• Inspect ladders and steps prior to working and ensure that the ladder is set on firm, level ground at the correct incline (1 in 4). Use two hands whilst climbing, do not over reach when working from a ladder. When a harness or fall arrestors are being worn, remember to check the condition of the equipment before use and check that people know how to use them.
• Inspect scaffolds prior to working and ensure that the scaffold is complete, the working platforms are clear from tripping hazards and, in the case of mobile scaffolds, the castors are locked to prevent movement.
• Avoid slips by keeping watch for hazardous working conditions - wet floors, icy areas, oil and grease for example. Promptly clean up the spillage; do not leave it for someone else.
• Avoid trips by maintaining a good standard of housekeeping and ensure that materials are stored and access-ways are kept clear.
• Avoid falls by using fully guarded work platforms. Where this is impracticable, fall arrestors and harnesses must be clipped onto a solid structure at all times whilst working at height. In addition, cherry pickers should be used instead of "beam walking