Slip Trips and Falls in theOil Patch are Costing you

BIG Dollars

Slips, Trips& Falls

Identification &Prevention

Fall Hazards• Uneven working surfaces• Unprotected sides and edges• Ladders• Open pits• Climbing and working from the derrick• Working off the bed of trucks• Floor holes• Stairs• Getting on and off mobile equipment• Equipment, materials, lines, etc. on rig floor or ground

Controlling Fall Hazards

• Fall hazards MUST be controlled where an employee has the potential to fall 4 feet or greater to a lower level.

• However, best practices are to eliminate all fall hazards, regardless of height.

4’

2’

control this fall hazard as well

Controlling Fall Hazards

• The control of fall hazards is classified into two categories:

guardrails hole covers

housekeeping fall restraint

PFAS

safety nets

uneven walking/working surface

Corrective Action: inform your supervisor that a potential for falls exists here

walking surfaces can get slippery from oil spills during maintenance activities

Corrective Actions: keep walking surfaces as clean as possible; spread something down for traction

a pallet used in place of a ladder

Corrective Action: use only approved ladders

even a good set of stairs with stairrails can be the site of a fall

Corrective Actions: 3 points of contact; walk; clear and clean; carry only light loads; do not jump last few steps

the v-door opening is a fall hazard if not properly guarded

a gate or barrier like this one must be installed when the opening is not in use

employees working on trailer with no means of fall protection

Potential Solutions

worker without fall protection with possible fall of 18’

Corrective Action: install a guardrail or use a PFAS

employee using the landing of a set of stairs as a working surface

Corrective Action: install a swinging gate (that meets guardrail requirements) on the stair opening

reserve pit fence down during frac job creates a potential for fall into pit

Corrective Action: maintain reserve pit fences after rig leaves and until reclamation

worker climbing the derrick of a service rig without fall protection

Corrective Action: use a PFAS with a suitable anchor point

worker correctly using a boatswain’s chair

work practices like these often end in tragedy for the worker and his family

Corrective Actions: never stand on forks or use makeshift baskets; always use proper lift baskets and a PFAS

is this any better?

a worker can be thrown from or fall out of the basket of an aerial lift

always wear a PFAS while in the basket; attach PFAS to a suitable anchor point

a gap in the guardrail system

Corrective Action: inform your supervisor that a potential for falls exists here

a floor hole that can cause a trip; materials can fall through and strike a worker below

Corrective Action: always replace covers over holes in rig floor when not in use

this is another example of a fall hazard

Corrective Action: cover the rest of the hole or cover entire hole with a larger grate

hoses and other equipment left on the rig floor are tripping hazards

Corrective Action: tuck away to prevent tripping or return to storage after use

cables can cause a trip if a worker forgets or doesn’t know where they are

yellow caution tape was used here to indicate that there is a trip hazard

running on site is just not necessary

Always Remember

• When working at heights 4 feet or greater fall hazards must be controlled

• Keep walking/working surfaces as clean and clear as possible

• Walk, don’t run• Cover floor holes when not in use

• To the employer:– Loss of productivity & business– Increased industrial insurance premiums– Costs associated with training replacement worker

Costs of STFs

• To the worker:– Lost wages & out-of-pocket expenses– Pain– Temporary or permanent disability– Reduced quality of life– Depression– Death

Costs of STFs

STF Injuries

• Sprains & strains• Bruises & contusions• Fractures• Abrasions & lacerations

Typical Injury Sites

• Knee, ankle and/or foot• Wrist &/or elbow• Back &/or shoulder• Hip• Head

Causes of Slips

• Wet product or spills on smooth floors or walking surfaces– Water– Mud– Grease– Oil

Causes of Slips

• Dry product or spills making walking surface slippery– Dusts– Powders– Granules– Wood– Plastic wrapping

Causes of Slips

• Sloped walking surfaces• Loose, unanchored rugs or mats• Loose floorboards or shifting tiles• Wet, muddy or greasy shoes• Ramps & gang planks without skid- or slip-

resistant surfaces

Causes of Slips

• Metal surfaces– Dockboards & dock plates– Platforms– Sidewalk & road covers

• Mounting & dismounting vehicles & equipment

• Climbing ladders• Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel

Causes of Slips

• Sloped, uneven or muddy terrain• Weather hazards• Leaves, pine needles & other plant debris (wet

or dry)

Causes of Trips

• Uncovered hoses, cables, wires or extension cords across aisles or walkways

• Clutter, obstacles in aisles, walkway & work areas

• Open cabinet, file or desk drawers & doors

Environmental Conditions Increasing Risk of Trips & Slips

• Poor lighting• Glare• Shadows• Bulky PPE (includes improper footware)• Excess noise or temperature• Fog or misty conditions• Poor housekeeping• Improper cleaning methods & products• Inadequate or missing signage

• Failing eyesight &/or visual perception• Age• Physical condition & fatigue• Stress or illness• Medications, alcohol & drug effects

Human Factors IncreasingRisk of Trips & Slips - Physical

Human Factors IncreasingRisk of Trips & Slips - Behavior

• Carrying or moving cumbersome objects or simply too many objects at one time

• Not paying attention to surroundings or walking distracted

• Taking unapproved shortcuts• Being in a hurry and rushing

STFs are Preventable

• Design of workplace & work processes– Design workplace & processes to prevent potential

exposures to slip & trip hazards• Good housekeeping

– Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter• Safe walking practices

– Follow safe walking practices & routes• Wearing proper footwear

– Wear proper footwear with good traction• Learn to fall “properly”

– There are techniques that can minimize fall injuries

Workplace/WorkProcess Design

• Contain work processes to prevent discharge, splatter, or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, dusts & offal onto floor– Local exhaust ventilation– Extraction/collection systems– Enclosures– Work surfaces with raised or lipped edges– Catch/drip pans, drain-offs

Workplace/WorkProcess Design

• Mark/highlight step edges & transition areas (changes in elevations)– Use anti-skid paint, slip-resistant coatings & strips

• Make sure stairs have sufficient lighting & hand rails

• Provide effective drainage, false floors or work platforms

• Install slip-resistant floors in high risk areas

Aisles• Permanent aisles and passageways shall be

appropriately marked.

Floor Openings• Every stairway floor opening guarded by a standard

railing• Railing provided on all exposed sides (except at

entrance to stairway)

• Every open-sided floor or

platform 4 feet or more

guarded on all open

sides except where there

is entrance to a ramp,

stairway, or fixed ladder.

Open-sided Floors