Slips, Trips, and Falls

​According to the National Safety Council, nearly 250,000 work-related injuries are due to falls each year. Coupling this with slips and trips, these become the most dangerous in the workplace accounting for nearly 30% of all injuries each year. How can you help reduce slips, trips, and falls in your workplace? We will review three main ways to help you and your employees prevent these workplace injuries.
 
Proper Housekeeping
What is the single, most important step in preventing slips and falls? Proper Housekeeping. Keeping your floors clean, dry, and free of obstructions are the best way to provide a safe working environment for your employees. Some things to remember when it comes to housekeeping:

• Spills, Grease Spots, and Dust – make sure areas are clean and free of these things. Hazard signs are helpful in warning people of potentially dangerous conditions
• Use Floor Markings – when there is a change in elevation or a natural break, use floor markings to identify potential trip hazards
• Require Proper Footwear – have employees wear slip-resistant boots and shoes when entering potential areas of concern

 
Choose the Right Equipment
What height are you working at? What types of activities are being done? What training have you completed? These are all questions that should be answered before you begin working in heights above the floor. Once answered, choosing the right equipment will help you assess the risk and find the best way to complete the task safely. Here are some types of equipment for heights and the best way to use them:

• Ladders
  • The most common when working from shorter heights and also the most dangerous
  • Make sure the ground is level and the ladder is locked in place
  • Always keep three points of contact on the ladder when in use (2 hands and 1 foot or 2 feet and 1 hand)
  • Do not lean, overreach, or stand higher than the third rung to keep proper balance and center of gravity
• Scaffolding
  • The most cost effective when working higher than normal reach for long periods of time
  • Make sure all components are level, sound, and free of rust/cracks/holes
  • Overlap planks on supports and make sure working platforms are fully decked
  • Inspect scaffold and scaffold parts daily and before each shift. Do not use if not properly tagged safe
• Lifts
  • An economical way to work on multiple things overhead
  • Do not operate unless you have been trained and are authorized by a competent person
  • Check for hazards, review all safety devices, and inspect operation and emergency controls before using
  • Stay in the basket or lift platform at all times. Do not lean, reach, or climb over the basket

 
Use a Fall Protection System
Protection systems allow workers to move freely at heights while either preventing them from reaching fall hazards or preventing a free fall. Common types of fall protection systems include:

• Restraint System – allows workers to move freely in the work area while preventing the worker from reaching a potential fall hazard or leading edge
• Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) – a system that prevents an employee from free falling more than 6 feet. Parts of the system include an anchor, connector, and body harness. Proper training and a rescue plan are required for use

 
While slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of injury and citations in the workplace, we need to remember that all are preventable. Proper housekeeping, choosing the right equipment, and using a fall protection system are all great ways to help prevent these injuries, but a proper plan, risk assessment, and finding the best way to complete the task are the most important. To keep the conversation going, download the General Fall Protection Toolbox Talk (TBT) below or comment below.

Fall Protection TBT