Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of injury on the job at any workplace. Sometimes, they result in serious, painful—and even deadly—injuries. They happen when you are performing just about any activity that involves moving from one place to another, including climbing ladders, working at any height above the ground, or simply walking across any kind of surface or walkway.

This course will help you recognize slip, trip, and fall hazards on the job so that you can take proper precautions to prevent accidents and protect yourself and coworkers from injury.

The main objective of this session is to eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards in your work area and prevent injuries.

Session Objectives

By the end of this training session, you will be able to:

• Recognize slip, trip, and fall hazards; risk factors; and conditions that cause injury;
• Implement procedures to eliminate the hazards;
• Use fall protection devices and equipment;
• Operate personal fall protection systems; and
• Respond to and report incidents.

How Much Do You Already Know?

Before we begin the session, let’s take a few minutes to see how much you already know about slips, trips, and falls.

An injury from a slip, trip, or fall at work can result in 90 days or more of lost worktime. True or False? • The correct answer is True.

What are risky behaviors that can lead to a slip, trip, or fall? Select all that are risky:

Standing on a ladder

Carrying items that obstruct your view

Working on the roof of a building

Walking from a carpet to a tile floor

The correct answer is:

• Carrying items that obstruct your view is an example of risky behavior.

Don’t Be a Statistic

We all remember the person that slips on a banana—and the audience laughs hilariously. This slapstick comedy has existed forever, but slips, trips, and falls are a major issue in the workplace. Let’s look at some statistics about workplace slips, trips, and falls and why it’s important for you to learn to prevent them. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common incidents that cause injuries at work.

• About 20% of all disabling occupational injuries result from falls—more than 200,000 serious accidents each year.
• Data attribute 15% of all accidental deaths to slip, trip, and fall incidents, second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities—fall incidents result in more than 300 fatalities every year.
• According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, lost workdays from slip, trip, and fall injuries range from 1 to 90 days, depending on the type and severity of the injury, and much longer for disabling injuries.
• A sprain or strain injury can cost up to $30,000 in doctor’s fees and other costs, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
• Falls from ladders account for 20% of all fatal and lost workday injuries in general industry workplaces nationwide each year.
• Most slip, trip, and fall incidents are preventable!

Injuries

So, just what types of injuries can come from a slip, trip, or fall incident? Some are painful but short-term, others chronic and lasting for years. While all slip, trip, and fall injuries don’t result in permanent injury, as we showed earlier, a considerable number of incidents are disabling. Injuries can occur whether you fall from a height, like from a ladder or scaffolding, or just slip or trip on the floor. They include:

• Cuts and bruises, sometimes very serious if you fall into things;
• Strains and sprains, even when your reflexes stop you from falling or you make sudden awkward movements;
• Fractures and broken bones;
• Back or spine injuries that can cause paralysis;
• Concussions, and brain damage in the most serious cases; or
• Death—unfortunately, someone dies in a fall on the job practically every day.

Slips and Trips—A Look at the Hazards

Injuries often occur after a fall from a higher level to a lower level and a fall to the same level or working surface. Falls to the same level can be as serious as a fall to a lower level. Injuries like strains and sprains can also occur as a result of slips and trips without actually falling.

• In general, slips happen because of a loss of traction between your foot or shoe and the walking surface or when you step on something that is not secured to the walking surface, like a loose rug. Wet, icy, or polished surfaces are good examples of conditions that can lead to a slip.
• Trips usually happen when your foot or lower body bumps into or is caught in an object and your upper body keeps moving so you lose your balance. Clutter in passageways or extension cords lying across a work area are good examples of conditions that lead to trips.
• Slips and trips often lead to a fall to the same level or working surface and result in any of the injuries we talked about earlier.

 

 

Slips and Trips—A Look at the Hazards (cont.)

There are many reasons why workers slip and trip on the job, but there are some very common conditions that lead to an incident. For example:

• Liquid spills and items left on the floor;
• Loose and unsecured mats, carpets, and coverings;
• Tools, materials, and equipment left in walkways or on working surfaces;
• Damaged flooring, such as cracks, protruding nails or screws, or loose tiles;
• Extension cords, conduits, cables, and hoses across walkways;
• Lower drawers on supply carts, toolbox chests, and bin cabinets left open for someone to trip over; or
• Inadequate lighting.

Several of these conditions can occur at the same time, dramatically increasing the risk of an incident.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards— Structural Conditions

You can also slip, trip, and fall because of structural surface conditions; that is, conditions that are an integral or fixed feature of the surface. These conditions include:

• Inherently slippery surfaces, like polished stone or tile;
• Uneven surfaces, such as a partially collapsed or sunken section of a walkway;
• Changes in surfaces, such as walking from a carpet to tile;
• Changes in level, such as a flat to sloped surface or flat to steps; and
• Surface protrusions or depressions, such as thresholds, cover plates, and gratings.

Falls―Two Types

We’ll divide falls in to two types, each with their own set of hazards and corrective actions to prevent injury.

• One type is a fall on the same level, which is when you fall to the floor or surface you are walking or standing on. A slip or trip often immediately precedes your fall to the floor. We covered falls to the same level when we discussed slips and trips.
• The other type is a fall from heights or a fall to a lower level, which is when you fall to a level below the one on which you are walking or working. Examples are falling to the ground from a ladder, a raised platform, a loading dock, or a truck bed. Some of these types of falls happen after a trip or slip, but many do not. In the next few slides, we’ll talk about falls to a lower level that are not necessarily preceded by slips or trips.

Falls to Lower Level— A Look at the Hazards

You can often recognize the hazards that lead to falls to a lower level with a quick survey of the worksite. Common fall hazards at work include:

• Working around unprotected sides and edges, such as mezzanines, dockboards in loading/unloading areas, or hoisting areas;
• Working near holes and openings;
• Climbing and working from ladders;
• Walking or working on runways and similar walkways;
• Working around dangerous equipment and falling from or into that equipment. For example, falling after a shock from exposed electrical equipment is a secondary hazard of contact with the equipment; and
• Objects falling from above and striking you, causing injury or loss of balance.

Fall to a Lower Level― High-Hazard Tasks

There are certain jobs and workplace surfaces that by their nature can expose you to fall hazards. For example:

• Working on scaffolding;
• Working from a platform on an aerial lift or order picker;
• Performing maintenance on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, system on a roof;
• Using a rope descent system while working on the side of a building;
• Positioning loads from a hoist or crane near an exposed edge or hole; or
• Climbing or descending ladders, from portable stepladders to fixed ladders on towers.

Hazardous Conditions for Falls to Lower Level

Falls from heights or to a lower level happen when certain conditions and activities in the workplace increase the risk of such incidents. Examples of risky work conditions include:

• Contact with an overhead power line, cable, or rope near where you are working;
• Loose, broken, or inadequate planking on scaffolds or platforms;
• Poor weather conditions, such as high winds for workers on towers or other outdoor structures;
• Damaged fall protection, such as a broken guardrail or stairs and ramps with loose or missing handrails;
• Falling objects that can strike someone and lead to a fall; and
• Unprotected edges and sides, holes, and dockboards.

Are there any other hazards you could be exposed to when working at height? Do you know how to eliminate or minimize these hazards?

Risky Behavior

Slips, trips, and falls are also caused by risky or unsafe actions. Examples are:

• Being distracted, like texting or looking at a mobile device while walking;
• Wearing poorly fitted, loose, or inappropriate footwear for the work area or task;
• Not holding onto the railing when going upstairs or downstairs;
• Cutting through areas not designated as walkways or with unprotected edges to a lower level;
• Jumping or climbing from one level to another without using appropriate structures or equipment for ascending or descending, such as jumping from a loading dock or from equipment without using stairs or ladders; or
• Risk-taking on ladders, such as climbing with both hands full and not holding the rungs, or overreaching to the side instead of moving the ladder.

Risky Behavior (cont.)

There are task-related behaviors that can cause you to slip, trip, or fall as well. For example:

• Using chairs, tables, or equipment to reach high places instead of a ladder;
• Horseplay and running;
• Not paying attention to potential obstacles and hazards when moving around the work area;
• Carrying items that obstruct view;
• Rushing to complete work; and
• Not using or inadequate fall protection.

Think about recent slip, trip, or fall incidents at work. Which hazards or conditions contributed to them?

How Much Are You Learning?

We’ve gone over a lot of information so far—let’s pause to see how well you are remembering what you’ve learned. Don’t worry. These questions are not graded. They are just to help you remember the important information we’ve been over so far.

Data attribute 15% of all accidental deaths to slip, trip, and fall incidents, second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. True or False?

• The correct answer is True.

What are some jobs tasks that by their nature can expose you to fall hazards? (Choose all that apply.)

Working on scaffolding

Climbing and descending a ladder

Hanging drywall

Performing maintenance on roofs

The correct answers are:

• Working on scaffolding, climbing and descending a ladder, and performing maintenance on roofs

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, depending on the type and severity, what is the range of lost workdays from slip, trip, and fall injuries?

1 to 7 days

2 to 30 days

1 to 90 days

The correct answer is:

• 1 to 90 days

Slip and Trip Safe Work Practices—DO’s

Of course, the best way to prevent slips, trips, and falls is to eliminate the hazard. Here are some effective ways to help eliminate slip and trip hazards:

• Keep containers with liquids securely covered when you are not working with them.
• Keep your work area clean and orderly; put things away after use. Pick up items from the floor, even if you didn’t put them there.
• Step over or around obstructions, not on them.
• Walk slowly and change directions slowly, especially when carrying a load.
• Watch for changes in floor level—such as a few steps or a ramp up or down.
• And finally, if lighting is inadequate or bulbs are burned out, report the problem to maintenance right away. Never enter a dark room or area before turning on a light. Outside, use a flashlight at night if you need more light coming to or going from the workplace.

Slip and Trip Safe Work Practices— DO’s (cont.)

It’s easy to slip on wet, painted, waxed, or smooth surfaces, and down you go. To avoid slip hazards, be sure to remember these important tips.

• Clean up spills, drips, and leaks immediately anywhere you find them. If you can’t do it yourself, report the problem to maintenance, and ask them to take care of it right away.
• Put up signs or barriers to warn people when floors are wet, slippery, or otherwise hazardous.
• Also, put down mats near entryways on wet days to help keep floors dry.
• Wear sensible shoes with nonskid soles, and wipe your feet when you come inside if they’re wet from outside.
• On wet or slippery surfaces, walk slowly and slide your feet.
• Finally, be sure to report icy spots outside right away so that they can be sanded.

Can you think of any other steps you could take to eliminate slip hazards in your work area?

Slip and Trip Safe Work Practices— DO’s (cont.)

• Inspect all equipment before using it, including personal protective equipment, or PPE, and personal fall protection equipment;
• Follow safe work processes that prevent discharges, splatter, or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, and dusts onto the floor;
• Use drip trays to contain leaks of lubricant onto the floor when working with machinery; and
• Use adequate ventilation to avoid steam and condensation of water onto the floor.

Using these safe work practices that can help prevent slip, trip, or fall hazards are not only safer but also smarter.

Slip and Trip Safe Work Practices— DON’TS

Here are some DON’TS to observe that will eliminate slip and fall hazards:

• Don’t leave boxes, tools, or other materials on the floor or other working surface;
• Don’t block walkways with hand trucks, forklifts, cords, or other equipment;
• Don’t place anything on stairs; and
• Don’t leave drawers open.

Can you think of any other steps you could take to eliminate trip hazards in your work area?

Duty to Have Fall Protection

If you are exposed to falls of 4 feet or greater from a higher to a lower level, falls onto dangerous equipment at any height, and falling object hazards, you must be provided with fall protection. Protective systems include:

• Guardrails;
• Safety nets; or
• Personal fall protection systems.

Examples of personal fall protection systems include:

• Personal fall arrest systems, or PFASs;
• Travel restraint systems; or
• Positioning systems.

Fall Prevention Systems

Once fall hazards are identified, measures must be taken that will prevent the fall or stop you during a fall from striking lower objects or the ground or floor.

Fall prevention systems are designed to prevent you from falling in the first place.For example:

• Guardrail systems act as a physical barrier to stop you from reaching the edge;
• Travel restraint systems connect you to an anchor point but allow you to work back and forth along an edge and restrain you from reaching it;
• Positioning systems also restrain you from reaching an edge; and
• Warning line systems alert you to stay within in a designated area on low-slope roofs.

Safety Net Systems

It is always best to prevent a fall. But when a fall occurs, there are fall protection systems that will protect you from hitting a surface or objects below. Certain fall protection systems do not prevent someone from falling but are intended to stop or arrest a free fall.

One type of system that stops a free fall is a safety net system.

• These are nets intended to catch falling workers.
• They are installed under the working surface, as close to the surface as possible.
• The net should never be more than 30 feet below the working surface.
• Safety nets should be inspected regularly—at least once a week and after any occurrence that could affect the integrity of the system. Look for signs of wear, damage, and other deterioration. Openings in the net should never be more than 6 inches across.
• There should be enough room underneath to prevent you from contacting the surface or structure below if you should fall into the net.
• Remove items that have fallen into the net, including tools, scraps, and other materials. This is to prevent a worker who falls into the net from being injured. Objects should be removed as quickly as possible or at least before the next work shift begins.

PFAS

A personal fall arrest system is different than a safety net. It connects your body directly to a system that is made up of a body harness, a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination, connected to an anchorage point.

• Personal fall arrest systems actually arrest or stop you from hitting the ground or lower level during the fall.
• These systems limit a free fall to no more than 6 feet.
• The stopping distance you would travel after the deceleration device begins to operate is no more than 3.5 feet.
• The system is designed to prevent injury by the fall arrest force put on your body. It limits the pressure on your body to no more than 1,800 pounds of force.
• Body belts are not allowed to be used as part of a fall arrest system. They are known to cause arresting force injuries by putting too much concentrated pressure on a part of the body.

Fall Protection— Unprotected Sides and Edges

We discussed the different types of personal fall protection that your employer can select from; now, let’s discuss some at-height activities where a fall hazard exists and the fall protection your employer could select to keep you safe. If you are working around an unprotected side or edge where there is no wall, like on a ramp or a stairway, effective fall protection includes:

• A guardrail system; or
• A stair rail system to prevent you from falling.

Scaffolds

Scaffolds―and the ropes, hoists, and other equipment used with them―must meet a lot of design and installation specifications to ensure their strength and safety. But you can’t depend entirely on good design and construction to be safe on them.

The most common hazards and conditions for injury on scaffolds are:

• The scaffold planking or support gave way;
• A slip on the planking; and
• Hit by a falling object.

Scaffolds (cont.)

Here are some safe work practices to prevent falls from scaffolds:

• Check that the scaffold and any personal fall protection system is firmly secured.
• Stay off scaffolds during storms or high winds if outside.
• Don’t work on a scaffold that’s covered with any slippery material. If you’re assigned to clear that material from the platform, be sure you’re properly equipped and extra careful.
• Shield scaffold ropes from corrosive substances or processes that produce heat.
• Don’t stand on a box or barrel or other makeshift device while on a scaffold platform.
• Remember to protect those below you when you work on a scaffold. Avoid letting debris accumulate on a scaffold platform, and keep tools and materials away from the scaffold platform edge. Keep only the materials you need on a scaffold, and remove all materials from the scaffold at the end of the day.

Aerial Lifts

An aerial lift involves working from a platform attached to a boom on a vehicle-mounted device above a lower level, which requires fall protection. These are used in general industry for routine inspection and maintenance activities, both indoors and outdoors, that could expose you to a fall hazard.

• Fall protection includes a guardrail system that creates a barrier to prevent you from falling—the guardrail needs a toeboard to prevent the fall of tools or material to the lower level.
• Although aerial lifts have manufacturer-fitted guardrails or baskets to hold workers, you still need to have additional fall protection, like a personal fall arrest or a travel restraint system, to prevent you from going over the side if you try to reach over the guardrail or are thrown from the platform.
• The personal fall arrest system consists of a lanyard, harness, and anchorage devices that may not prevent the fall but will stop your descent before you hit the ground or an object. Body belts are not allowed to be used as part of a personal fall arrest system because the concentrated force of the sudden stop will easily damage internal organs.

Rope Descent System

A rope descent system is a suspended seat board or chair that allows you to descend in a controlled manner and stop at any point while descending. This system is used for window washing, building cleaning, telecommunications, billboard advertising, and a host of other areas.

• Rope descent systems are attached to permanent roof anchorages, support ropes, a descent device, carabiners or shackles, and a chair or seat board that you’ll sit on.
• A separate anchor is required for the personal fall arrest system you must use. In addition to the independent anchorage, your fall arrest system consists of a lanyard and harness that will stop you in the event of a fall.
• You cannot use a rope descent system at heights greater than 300 feet above a lower level.
• You are also not allowed to use a rope descent system when hazardous weather conditions are present, such as storms or gusty or excessive wind.
• To prevent your equipment, such as tools, squeegees, or buckets from falling, you must secure them with a tool lanyard or similar method.

Work Positioning System

A work positioning system is unique in that instead of relying on a fall protection system that will allow you the freedom to move about your work space, this system will hold you securely in place while allowing you to perform your job with both hands. Good examples of its use are electricians or linemen working on poles. They support and suspend you while you work on an elevated vertical surface. The positioning system consists of:

• A body belt or body harness;
• A lanyard; and
• An anchorage point.

The lanyard is connected to your body belt or harness on one end and to the secure anchor point on the other. This will allow you to remain in a working position with both hands free.

• The positioning system is rigged so that you cannot freefall more than 2 feet.

Designated Areas

A designated area is used for work that is temporary in nature and consists of an area surrounded by rope, chain, or wire—called a warning line—and supporting stanchions.

• Workers on low-slope or flat roofs performing maintenance or HVAC work can use warning lines to create a designated area. But warning lines cannot be used to prevent or stop falls. They simply serve to alert you to potential dangers beyond the barriers.
• You and your coworkers must remain within the designated area—inside the warning line—while working. You’ll need additional fall protection if you need to leave the designated area.
• Warning lines can be made of a rope, wire, tape, or chain.
• Warning lines must be clearly visible from a distance of 25 feet away.
• The warning lines need to be not less than 6 feet from the roof edge.

Fixed Ladders

A ladder that is attached to a structure or piece of equipment is known as a fixed ladder. If you are working on a fixed ladder that extends more than 24 feet, you are required to use:

• A ladder safety system; or
• A personal fall arrest system to prevent fall injuries if you lose your footing while climbing or descending the fixed ladder.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is phasing out the use of cages or wells for fall protection on fixed ladders.

Fixed Ladders (cont.)

In addition to using the appropriate safety devices just mentioned, you can avoid fall hazards when climbing the fixed ladder by:

• Maintaining three-point contact by keeping two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on a ladder always;
• Facing the ladder and using both hands to grip the rungs firmly;
• Wearing footwear with heels and making sure it is in good condition;
• Placing feet firmly on each rung;
• Cleaning muddy or slippery boot soles before mounting a ladder; and
• Raising or lowering tools and materials using a handline.

Portable Ladders—A Big Hazard

Now we are ready to go over how to avoid injuries on portable ladders. Portable ladders are involved in more injuries than any other fall incident.

• First and foremost, select the right ladder for the job. For example, a step stool might be just what you need to safely get to an item on a shelf that is just out of reach. For reaching higher places, use a stepladder. And be sure you don’t exceed the weight limit, especially if you are using tools while on the ladder.
• Inspect ladders before use to make sure they are in good, safe condition. The rungs should be clean and not cracked or broken. Also, look for grease or oil that can make for a slippery surface.
• If you find a defective ladder, don’t use it, and immediately tag it “Do Not Use.”
• Set your ladders up correctly so that they are stable and secure. – Use the 4-to-1 rule—for every 4 feet in height, the base of the ladder must be 1 foot away from the vertical position.
• Climb and descend slowly, facing the ladder and holding on to the rails.
• Use a tool belt to carry tools, and hoist other materials up in a bucket. Keep at least one hand free to hold on to the ladder, and don’t overreach.

What are some of the jobs you perform that require you use a portable ladder? Do you always follow the precautions we just mentioned?

Falling Object Protection

Another important factor to consider when you are working at heights is protecting yourself and others from falling objects. The focus should always be on preventing things from falling.

• First of all, you should always wear the appropriate head protection when working near an area where other workers are working above you.
• You can secure tools and materials to prevent them from sliding or falling.
• The area below where you are working can be barricaded and warning signs posted to prevent workers from entering the hazard area.
• Use toeboards on guardrails and scaffolds to prevent falling objects. If the material you have is piled higher than the toeboard, use screening and extend it from that top of the guardrail to the top of the toeboard.
• You can also use debris nets, catch platforms, or canopies to catch or deflect falling objects.

Many don’t think about it, but struck-by hazards, including flying objects, are a leading cause of injuries and death. Be sure to protect yourself and your coworkers.

Report Any Fall/Hazard

If you are injured in a fall, hit by a falling object, or witness an incident, be sure to report it. Mishaps or near hits that don’t result in an injury also must be reported so that the hazard can be corrected and another incident prevented.

Follow these steps:

• Report the incident to your supervisor. Your supervisor must know about any employee injuries because it may need to be recorded on the OSHA injury and illness log. It will also help your employer be able to correct any hazards that may have caused the fall in the first place. Don’t worry, you won’t be blamed or retaliated against for reporting an incident or hazardous situation.
• Get medical attention if needed, even when the injury seems minor at the time. Falls can cause serious physical problems if injuries are untreated, and sometimes, the full extent of the injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Be sure to follow the instructions given by a doctor or other healthcare provider. Give your injuries time to heal, and participate in recommended physical therapy.
• Finally, if you see any slip, trip, or fall hazard that you cannot fix, report it immediately. Like we said earlier, we need to know about these hazards so they can be corrected and a fall prevented.

How Much Have You Learned?

Now we’ve come to the end of this session on Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls at Industrial Sites, so it’s time to see how much you’ve learned.

What good housekeeping steps can you take to prevent slip, trip, and fall hazards at your worksite? (Choose all that apply.)

Use aisles for storage, not stairways.

Put tools away after using them.

Keep your area neat and tidy.

Report to your supervisor any items others left on the floor.

The correct answers are:

• Put tools away after using them and keep your area neat and tidy

Which type of personal fall protection system is commonly used by linemen working on poles?

Travel restraint system

Rope descent system

Work positioning system

Body belt

• The correct answer is work positioning system.

When setting up a ladder so that it is secure, for every 3 feet in height, the base of the ladder must be 1 foot away from the vertical position. True or False?

• The correct answer is False.

Under OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces Rule, what is the Agency phasing out for use as fall protection on fixed ladders? (Choose all that apply)

Cages

Ladder safety systems

Wells Personal fall arrest systems

• The correct answers are cages and wells.

Key Points to Remember

Let’s review some of the key points we’ve covered during this session.

• Always watch for physical or structural hazards, such as a broken ladder rung, and risky behavior, such as walking quickly on a slippery floor.
• Minimize the risk of slips and trips with safe work practices, such as cleaning up spills and wearing nonskid shoes.
• Prevent falls from happening in the first place with guardrails, travel restraints, positioning, and warning line systems, and then use personal fall arrest systems and safety nets to stop falls in progress.
• Always properly use personal fall protection systems assigned to you by your employer.
• Protect yourself and other workers from falling objects—wear head protection, secure tools and material when working at heights, and make sure warning signs are posted at falling object hazard areas. Be sure to practice safety work habits to prevent objects from falling on you or others below where you are working.
• Report any fall injury or any hazardous condition to your supervisor immediately