Slip and Trips in the Worksites

Call it what you LikeAn Incident or Accident

But Slips trips and falls are totally preventable

P bar Y Safety Consultants Alberta Canada

Preventing Indoor/Outdoor Slips and Falls


What Are Slips and Trips?

• A slip occurs when, upon heel contact, a heel slide occurs that causes unbalance and a potential fall Usually backward.

• A trip occurs when the foot strikes a near ground obstacle that abruptly arrests the movement of the foot when the body’s center of gravity is in motion Usually forward.


Trip Hazards

• “toe clearance” between the limb advancement or swing phase of the gait cycle and the highest projection of the walking surface.

• any change in elevation of over ¼” (approximately 0.64 cm) as a potential “tripping hazard.”

• stair heights not vary more than ¼” across a given flight• Provide visual cues and warnings (e.g., color or brightness

contrast) for higher changes in elevation


Age, Vision

• Bifocals focus on closer objects through the lower portion of the lense.

• Changes in elevation are distorted.• loss in both depth perception and edge

contrast sensitivity• wearers of multifocal glasses are more than

twice as likely to fall


Falls Affect Everyone• Climates• Geographic Regions

Same Level Falls 59% Male 41% Female

Falls from Elevation 79% Male 21% Female


Disciplines Involved In Slips and Falls

• Tribology• Ergonomics• Biomechanics• Psychology• OthersSlips and falls are complicated problems!


• The study of the interaction of sliding surfaces • It includes three subjects: – Friction– Lubrication– Wear

Tribology


Events in Human Walking Related to Slips and Falls

• Heel strike — an impact phenomena• Microslip (0–3cm) — undetected• Slip (3–10cm) — aware of slipping and take corrective

action• Slide (> 10cm) — uncontrolled forward movement leads to

falls

Multiple image photograph of a dangerous slip starting at peak 3


Same Level Falls

• Most inside falls are caused by slipperiness related to:– Faulty Housekeeping• Dirt, grease, or contamination on floors

– Defects• Slippery floor dressing or finish• Inappropriate floor surface material• Surface wear• Uneven or damaged surface


Falls from Stairs

• Slips and falls from stairs can be caused by:– Faulty Housekeeping• Objects, water, or grease on stairs or landings

– Defects• No handrail• Handrail at improper height• Improper tread or riser dimensions• Tread surface material


Other Major Causes of Slip/Falls

• Poor footwear traction– Inappropriate shoe sole tread pattern – Inappropriate sole material for environment

• Poor lighting• Environment


Parameters Affecting Friction

• Contaminants on the floor• Floor surface material• Surface finish on the floor• Shoe sole material• Surface finish on shoe• Tread pattern on footwear


Parameters Affecting Friction

• Humidity• Human gait• Temperature


Measuring Slip Resistance

• The Safety group owns a meter that can measure the slipperiness of a floor

• You can request a survey


Potential Dangerous Spots

• Transition areas• Unexpected changes in environment• Distractions • Contaminants• Lighting and temperature• Ramps


Slips and Falls Prevention

• Housekeeping program• Floor mats• Floor treatments• Selecting floor surface materials• Footwear


Housekeeping: Floor Cleaning

Watch out for wet/waxed floors

Proper Time andFrequency of Cleaning What areas are

most critical


Housekeeping: Others

• Training of employees– Keep main aisles clear and clean– If you drop it, pick it up– If you spill it, wipe it up– Go where you’re looking, and look where you’re

going


Floor Mats

• Benefits:– Use at entrances and in high contamination areas – Traps moisture and debris– Scrapes and absorbs moisture, snow, sand from

footwear– Reduces floor maintenance costs by protecting

the floor surface and finish


Floor Mats

• Need mats that both abrade and absorb• Mats of sufficient running length and width– Snow: 10 - 12 walking steps– Rain: 8 - 10 walking steps– Dry: 6 - 8 walking steps

• Quick exchange of mats when wet or dirty• Should be contrasting color to floor and affixed

so as not to create another fall hazard


Floor Surface Materials

• Concrete• Tile– Ceramic – Quarry– Porcelain – Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT)– Marble– Others


Other Floor Surface Materials

• Carpeting– Inherently slip resistant– Aesthetically pleasing– Some carpets are “spill resistant”– Modular carpeting squares allow quick

replacement in areas which can become soiled easily


Footwear

• Choose the appropriate shoe for weather conditions.

• If you perform field work, close toe shoes and or safety shoes are required.


Curbs, Parking, Sidewalks, Entrances

Ground and Floor Surfaces and The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guide (ADAAG):

• Changes in level up to 1/4 in (6 mm) may be vertical and without edge treatment.

• Changes in level between 1/4 in and 1/2 in (6 mm and 13 mm) shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2.

• Changes in level greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) shall be accomplished by means of a ramp. The maximum slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12.


Ice and Snow Recommendations

Plan for pre-weather preventionUse lots of melting solutionCheck the surface regularlyAim for evaporation and DRY surfaceUse a friction additiveCheck and treat every morning


Ice Awareness

• Report any area that is slippery• Wear shoes with good traction• Be alert of invisible ice • Walk on cleared pathways• Allow extra time


Outdoor Lighting

Inadequate lighting can cause falls over curbs, steps, cracks etc.


Parking Lots and Sidewalks

• Maintain a level surface• Fill and patch cracks and holes• Gradual height changes


Slip/Fall Hazard Identification

• Do periodic self-inspections to look for slip/trip/fall hazards or risk factors. Make a checklist listing your cause factors based on your accidents. Eliminate exposures before they can cause an accident.


Summary

• Slips and falls are a big problem• Slip and fall accidents attributed to:– Faulty housekeeping– Defects– Lack of traction– Lighting– Overall, ineffective slip and fall safety program


Summary

• Prevention therefore needs to address all:– Selection of floor surface material – Maintenance and housekeeping– Prompt removal of contaminants– Footwear– Selection and use of floor mats– Training and accountability!


If your really want to stop it

• Do your hazard assessments• Scan your worksite for hazards• Apply good house keeping and put up barriers

around hazards and apply


Documents

Slip and Trips in the Worksites