Safe day everyone and welcome. One of the most haunting and frustrating issues in safety is - the dreaded - "Slips, Trips and Falls". No matter how much you try to address this issue, it seems to always slip back into your accident investigation file.
According to the 2009 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, in the U.S. disabling workplace injuries from same-level falls had a direct cost of $6.2 billion in workers compensation costs in 2007, ranking second to overexertion as a leading cause of disabling injury. The index also noted that from 1998 - 2007, falls on the same level increased by a whopping 36.7 percent.
According to ASSE's Professional Safety Journal article "Slips, Trips & Falls in Construction & Mining: Causes & Controls," four factors can contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards:
1. Workers - Workers may be prone to slip, trip and fall hazards due to fatigue, risk-taking behavior [running or horseplay] and/or inadequate training. Also, one thing I have learned to look for on the floor was inadequate foot ware. Some of my good friends tried to get as much life out of a pair of shoes as they could even though the company paid for them.
2. Machines or Equipment - Some machine factors that contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards include improperly designed machines, missing components or machines that are not maintained properly [oil leaks].
3. Work environments - Environmental factors include wintery conditions such as snow, ice, wind and other factors such as poor lighting. Poor lighting does contribute to many of these incidents even though most companies do not like to see this on an accident investigation report. I have found it is much easier for them to say, "they [the worker/workers] were not watching what they were doing"
4. Management - management has the ability to control workers, machine and environment factors through proper planning, monitoring and corrective action.
So how do we combat this issue. Awareness, awareness, awareness!!! Slips, trips and falls is an issue that can NEVER be put on the back burner. As safety coordinator I spent numerous hours on the floor looking hazards, talking to people and posting notices. Below you will find some things that can help:
o Remove slip, trip, and fall hazards from the work area, especially in high-trafficked areas. Even though workers may be moving at a reasonable pace and keeping their eyes on their path, it only takes a second to turn things around.
o Establish a no-running policy and enforce it. Though in some industries staff may need to work at a quick pace, such as the manufacturing, hospitality and restaurant industry, making sure that workers do not run can prevent injuries due to slips and falls.
o Make sure workers wear proper footwear with good traction that is kept in good repair. Take a look at the soles of shoes regularly to check for excessive wear. Slip-resistant footwear should be considered where necessary, such as footwear with spiked or studded soles that can improve traction on ice or snow. There are also some really good anti-slip soles out there that is worth checking into.
o Cleaning procedures for floors are essential to good slip resistance. Make sure that all walking surfaces are kept free of spills, water, oil and any other substances that may affect the traction of the surface.
o Report any spills and provide adequate signage regarding hazards such as spills, uneven surfaces, debris, icy sidewalks, smooth concrete and other hazards. Also ensure that your company has a process that documents incidents and reports slip and fall hazards.
o Make sure that staff is trained on how to properly clean/remove slip, trip and fall hazards. Also ensure that staff and management are trained in slip, trip and fall prevention. Workers should resume work only after a hazard has been removed or resolved.
o All workers should be well trained on "EYES ON PATH".
o Make sure all areas have adequate lighting to illuminate any potential hazards. You simply con not avoid a hazard if you can't see it!!
o To prevent surface water accumulation in areas that can lead to slips, trips and falls, ensure that there are adequate drainage systems and pumps in place.
o Be aware of the floor types in your company to help determine the degree of hazards for slips, trips and falls.
Thanks,
Howard F. Miller
According to the 2009 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, in the U.S. disabling workplace injuries from same-level falls had a direct cost of $6.2 billion in workers compensation costs in 2007, ranking second to overexertion as a leading cause of disabling injury. The index also noted that from 1998 - 2007, falls on the same level increased by a whopping 36.7 percent.
According to ASSE's Professional Safety Journal article "Slips, Trips & Falls in Construction & Mining: Causes & Controls," four factors can contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards:
1. Workers - Workers may be prone to slip, trip and fall hazards due to fatigue, risk-taking behavior [running or horseplay] and/or inadequate training. Also, one thing I have learned to look for on the floor was inadequate foot ware. Some of my good friends tried to get as much life out of a pair of shoes as they could even though the company paid for them.
2. Machines or Equipment - Some machine factors that contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards include improperly designed machines, missing components or machines that are not maintained properly [oil leaks].
3. Work environments - Environmental factors include wintery conditions such as snow, ice, wind and other factors such as poor lighting. Poor lighting does contribute to many of these incidents even though most companies do not like to see this on an accident investigation report. I have found it is much easier for them to say, "they [the worker/workers] were not watching what they were doing"
4. Management - management has the ability to control workers, machine and environment factors through proper planning, monitoring and corrective action.
So how do we combat this issue. Awareness, awareness, awareness!!! Slips, trips and falls is an issue that can NEVER be put on the back burner. As safety coordinator I spent numerous hours on the floor looking hazards, talking to people and posting notices. Below you will find some things that can help:
o Remove slip, trip, and fall hazards from the work area, especially in high-trafficked areas. Even though workers may be moving at a reasonable pace and keeping their eyes on their path, it only takes a second to turn things around.
o Establish a no-running policy and enforce it. Though in some industries staff may need to work at a quick pace, such as the manufacturing, hospitality and restaurant industry, making sure that workers do not run can prevent injuries due to slips and falls.
o Make sure workers wear proper footwear with good traction that is kept in good repair. Take a look at the soles of shoes regularly to check for excessive wear. Slip-resistant footwear should be considered where necessary, such as footwear with spiked or studded soles that can improve traction on ice or snow. There are also some really good anti-slip soles out there that is worth checking into.
o Cleaning procedures for floors are essential to good slip resistance. Make sure that all walking surfaces are kept free of spills, water, oil and any other substances that may affect the traction of the surface.
o Report any spills and provide adequate signage regarding hazards such as spills, uneven surfaces, debris, icy sidewalks, smooth concrete and other hazards. Also ensure that your company has a process that documents incidents and reports slip and fall hazards.
o Make sure that staff is trained on how to properly clean/remove slip, trip and fall hazards. Also ensure that staff and management are trained in slip, trip and fall prevention. Workers should resume work only after a hazard has been removed or resolved.
o All workers should be well trained on "EYES ON PATH".
o Make sure all areas have adequate lighting to illuminate any potential hazards. You simply con not avoid a hazard if you can't see it!!
o To prevent surface water accumulation in areas that can lead to slips, trips and falls, ensure that there are adequate drainage systems and pumps in place.
o Be aware of the floor types in your company to help determine the degree of hazards for slips, trips and falls.
Thanks,
Howard F. Miller
I was a safety coordinator and have been in the manufactuing arena for over 20 years. These articles are a passion of mine and hope that it will help keep people safe.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_F._Miller
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