Today, we’re going to talk about a significant workplace hazard: slips, trips, and falls. Slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common workplace accidents and on-the-job injuries. Although some of these injuries are minor, others are severe and disabling. Some workers are killed every year on the job as a result of falls. This is a serious safety issue for any supervisor—one that you must recognize and control. Fortunately, slips, trips, and falls are largely preventable, and there’s a lot you and your employees can do to prevent them.

Session Objectives

The main objective of this session is to help you prevent slips, trips, and falls among the employees you supervise. By the time this session is over, you should be able to:

• Identify slip, trip, and fall hazards in the workplace;
• Eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards in work areas you supervise;
• Prevent falls on stairs and from ladders;
• Help employees prevent slips, trips, and falls outdoors and at home; and
• Teach employees how to minimize injuries if they fall.

Are you setting goals to help remember the information after you complete the course?

How Much Do You Know?

Before we begin the session, let’s take a few minutes to see how much you already know about slips, trips, and falls. Decide which of the statements on the screen are True or False.

• Slips, trips, and falls have only a minor impact on the workplace. – This is false.
• You only need to pay attention to a slip, trip, and fall incident if there are injuries. – This is also false.
• You and your employees must work together to eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards. – This is true.
• Good housekeeping plays a major role in preventing slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. – This is also true.

How did you do? Did you get all the answers right?

If not, don’t worry. You’ll learn all about these issues and a lot more during the session.

Facts About Workplace Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Across industries and across the years, slips, trips, and falls continue to be among the leading causes of workplace injury. They are also debilitating, costly, and, most importantly, largely preventable.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics typically reports well over 200,000 nonfatal injuries from falls every year. Each of those injuries results in 1 or more days away from work. For severe injuries, you could be looking at weeks of lost workdays. And some workers might even be permanently disabled and unable to perform their normal jobs.
• Most years, slips, trips, and falls result in somewhere between 15 percent and 20 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries, the highest frequency of injury of any single regulated activity.

You and your employees know that slips, trips, and falls are a hazard on the job. But that knowledge alone isn’t enough to keep them on their feet. You need a purposeful program that identifies and corrects hazardous conditions, implements safe work practices, and monitors the results.

OSHA Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recognizes that slip, trip, and fall hazards are a common problem in the workplace and has therefore developed a number of standards related to this important safety issue.

Applicable construction industry standards include:

• Walking or Working Surfaces;
• Personal Fall Protection Systems;
• Housekeeping;
• Illumination;
• Signs, Signals, and Barricades;
• Scaffolds;
• Fall Protection; and
• Ladders.

These regulations help you identify these hazards and take necessary steps to protect workers.

Are you familiar with the OSHA standards applicable to your industry that relate to slips, trips, and falls?

Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

There are a large number of reasons why workers slip, trip, and fall on the job. Many hazards are associated with housekeeping and maintenance. For example:

• Cluttered, disorderly work areas;
• Improper storage of tools, materials, and equipment;
• Spills and stuff left on the floor;
• Extension cords, conduits, cables, and hoses across walkways;
• Lower drawers left open for someone to trip over;
• Loose and unsecured floor mats, carpets, and coverings;
• Damaged flooring, such as cracks or loose tiles;
• Stairs and ramps with loose or missing handrails;
• Unprotected edges and sides, holes, and dockboards; and
• Inadequate lighting.

Surface Conditions

Employees also slip, trip, and fall because of surface conditions such as:

• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces;
• Changes in surfaces such as carpet to tile;
• Changes in level such as flat to sloped or flat to steps; and
• Surface protrusions or depressions such as thresholds, cover plates, and gratings.

Task-Related Issues

And there are task-related issues that cause slips, trips, and falls as well. For example:

• Wearing inappropriate footwear for the task;
• Carrying items that obstruct view;
• Rushing to complete work; and
• Not using or inadequate fall protection.

Other Hazards

Slips, trips, and falls are also commonly caused by unsafe behavior such as:

• Wearing improperly fitted, loose, or undone footwear;
• Not holding onto the railing when going up or down stairs;
• Cutting through areas not designated as walkways;
• Jumping from one level to another, such as jumping from a loading dock;
• Risk-taking on ladders;
• Using chairs, tables, or equipment to reach high places instead of a ladder;
• Horseplay and running in the workplace; and
• Not paying attention to potential obstacles and hazards when moving about the work area.

Think about slip, trip, or fall accidents involving your employees. Which hazards caused these accidents?

Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries

Slips, trips, and falls may be minor, and employees may get up, dust themselves off, and get back to work. But other times, these accidents are serious. As we said earlier, some workers are permanently disabled by these accidents. And injuries can occur whether employees fall from a height, like from a ladder, or just slip or trip at ground level. Injuries resulting from slips, trips, or falls include:

• Back and spine injuries that can cause paralysis in the most serious cases;
• Head injuries that can include brain damage in the most serious cases;
• Muscle strains;
• Sprains;
• Broken bones; or
• Death—someone dies in a fall on the job practically every day.

Think about slip, trip, or fall accidents involving your employees. What kind of injuries resulted?

Exercise

Now it’s time for an exercise. Earlier, we identified four major categories of slip, trip, and fall hazards. Can you remember what they are?

The four major categories of slip, trip, and fall hazards we identified are:

• Housekeeping and maintenance;
• Surface conditions;
• Task-related issues; and
• Unsafe behavior.

How did you do? Did you identify the same four categories? Will you remember these categories and all the specific hazards we identified under each of the four after the course is complete, or do you need to go back and review?

Review

Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far. For example, do you understand what we’ve said about:

• The impact of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace?
• Relevant OSHA standards?
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards?
• Slip, trip, and fall injuries?

It’s important to understand this information so that you can identify hazards that could cause injuries to your employees.

Let’s continue now to the next slide and talk about preventing slips, trips, and falls.

Employer Responsibilities

Slips, trips, and falls in the workplace can be prevented fairly easily. But it takes a systematic and comprehensive approach.

You must:

• Conduct detailed inspections of the work area on a regular basis;
• Identify slip, trip, and fall hazards;
• Investigate all slip, trip, and fall hazard reports and incidents;
• Correct or repair all slip, trip, and fall hazards immediately;
• Establish safe work practices;
• Enforce company housekeeping rules and schedules;
• Provide effective training to make employees aware of hazards and measures to prevent slips, trips, and falls; provide training in the proper care, inspection, storage, and use of personal fall protection equipment; and
• Post warning signs to alert workers of slip, trip, and fall hazards.

Employee Responsibilities

You can’t prevent slips, trips, and falls alone, of course. You need the active cooperation and participation of all your employees. To help prevent slips, trips, and falls, your employees must:

• Be aware of slip, trip, and fall hazards, and look where they are going as they move around the workplace;
• Assist with work area inspections;
• Report slip, trip, and fall hazards;
• Cooperate in accident investigations;
• Report all near misses and accidents, even if no injury occurs;
• Avoid risky behavior that could lead to a slip, trip, or fall;
• Make an effort to keep work areas neat and clean; and
• Attend training and apply what they learn on the job. Think about all the steps you and your employees can take to prevent slips, trips, and falls on the job.

Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is one of the most important ways to prevent workplace slips, trips, and falls. Unfortunately, in many workplaces, housekeeping often falls between the cracks. Employees don’t like to do it, and supervisors don’t like to nag, so chores go undone. As a result, clutter builds up in work areas.

• Tools, cords, and materials are left lying around on the floor to trip up the next person to come along.
• Spills aren’t cleaned up promptly.
• Boxes and other obstacles are left in walkways. And so it goes. Until somebody slips, trips, or falls, and gets hurt.

Don’t wait for an accident to emphasize good housekeeping. Make sure employees:

• Know and understand the company housekeeping policy;
• Recognize that good housekeeping protects them from injuries;
• Understand their specific housekeeping duties;
• Know how to perform their duties satisfactorily;
• Perform housekeeping duties according to schedule; and
• Take responsibility for maintaining orderly and safe work areas.

Also be sure to follow up on housekeeping duties to be certain they have been completed and done properly. Don’t accept shoddy work. And don’t give in to workers’ excuses for not doing housekeeping jobs or complaints about having to do those jobs.

Eliminating Trip Hazards

A worker doesn’t have to fall from a great height to be injured. Many fall injuries occur on level ground when workers trip over unexpected objects in their path. Train your employees to eliminate trip hazards. For example, explain that they should:

• Put things away after use;
• Keep walkways and stairways clear;
• Walk slowly and change directions slowly;
• Watch for changes in floor level—such as a few steps or a ramp;
• Report lighting problems to maintenance right away; and
• Never enter a dark room or area before turning on a light.

Can you think of any other steps you want your employees to take to eliminate trip hazards specific to their work areas?

Eliminating Slip Hazards

To eliminate slip hazards, be sure employees:

• Clean up spills, drips, and leaks immediately anywhere they find them. If it’s a big spill they can’t handle themselves, they should report the problem to maintenance and ask them to take care of it right away. In the meantime, the hazardous area should be blocked off to prevent unwary coworkers from slipping and falling.
• Use signs or barriers to warn workers when floors are wet, slippery, or otherwise hazardous.
• Put down mats near entryways on wet days to help keep floors dry. Also, provide workstation mats in wet areas to keep workers from slipping while they work.
• Walk slowly and slide their feet on slippery surfaces.
• Wear sensible shoes with nonskid soles.
• Report icy spots outside so that they can be sanded.

Can you think of any other steps you and your employees can take to eliminate slip hazards?

Preventing Falls on Stairs

Stairs can be dangerous, especially if employees are not taking proper precautions. Train employees to:

• Always use handrails going up or down;
• Walk up and down stairs;
• Climb and descend carefully, taking steps one at a time;
• Look where they’re going—watch out for slippery surfaces, such as wet spots caused by spills, and check for damaged steps;
• Report loose handrails, damaged steps, and other safety problems;
• Avoid leaving or storing objects on stairs; and
• Be especially careful when carrying a load while going up or down stairs, making sure to leave one hand free for the handrail.

Think about a stair accident that has occurred in the workplace. How could this accident have been prevented?

Preventing Falls from Ladders

Preventing falls from ladders starts with selecting the right ladder for the job and using it safely. For example, a stepstool might be just what a worker needs to safely get to an item on a shelf that is just out of reach. For reaching higher places, employees should use a ladder. You should have several different heights for employees to choose from.

Emphasize these ladder safety rules in slips, trips, and falls training:

• Inspect ladders before use to make sure they are in safe condition;
• Set up ladders correctly so that they are stable and secure;
• Climb and descend safely, facing the ladder and holding the rails;
• Use a tool belt to carry tools, and hoist other materials up in a bucket;
• Hold on with one hand while working on a ladder;
• Don’t overreach;
• And, use a ladder safety system when necessary or required by your employer.

Whether they are using ladders on the job or at home, employees need to realize that safety is a top priority. Do your employees know the rules for using ladders safely and do they always follow the precautions we’ve just mentioned?

Preventing Slips, Strips , and Falls Outdoors

Train employees to prevent slips, trips, and falls outdoors as well, especially in bad weather when it’s wet or slippery. Remind workers to:

• Avoid walking and talking on the phone or texting at the same time;
• Watch out for uneven pavement, and be careful stepping over curbs; also be aware of changes in level—for example, going up or down ramps, inclines, or steps;
• Wear shoes with soles that give good traction when it’s wet or icy outside;
• Slow down, shorten their stride, and take small steps or slide feet when the pavement is slippery; and
• Report hazardous conditions on walkways, in parking lots, and other outdoor areas.

Think of outdoor slip, trips, and fall hazards employees may face when coming and going around your property or working outside.

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls Off the Job

Home falls are a very common cause of injury. Encourage employees to take proper steps to prevent slips, trips, and falls at home. An off-the-job slip, trip, or fall could well have an impact on the job. Safety is a 24/7 concern. To prevent falls at home, remind employees to:

• Use a sturdy stepstool to reach high shelves in kitchens or closets—do not use a chair
• Follow the same safety procedures at home that they use at work;
• Clean up spills immediately on kitchen, bathroom, and workshop floors;
• Use a bath mat in the bathtub or shower to prevent slips and falls;
• Fix frayed carpet edges or curling floor tiles;
• Make sure stairs and handrails are in good condition and secure; and
• Be sure to turn on the light when entering a dark room.

Can you think of some other slip, trip, and fall hazards around the home and ways to prevent accidents?

Minimizing Fall Injuries

Employees can minimize injury if they slip or trip by falling correctly. Here’s what they need to do:

• Bend elbows and knees to absorb the shock of the fall;
• Roll with the fall;
• Protect their head by tucking toward a collarbone;
• Use their hands and the insides of their forearms to help break the fall; and
• Yell or exhale as they fall.

The reason for the last measure is that you’re better off in a fall if your body is relatively loose and relaxed. Yelling or exhaling helps release body tension.

Have you discussed these steps for minimizing fall injuries with employees in a safety meeting and training session? If not, do so soon.

Dealing with Fall Injuries

• Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to prevent it, an employee will slip or trip and fall. When this happens, be sure to report the incident to your safety manager, even if there was no injury. The incident may need to be investigated to prevent future accidents. If an injury occurred, it may be necessary to record the incident for OSHA compliance.
• Get medical attention for the employee, if necessary. Falls can cause serious physical problems if injuries are untreated. Some injuries might not be immediately evident. X-rays or other tests may be required to assess damage. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, workers can be back on their feet much more quickly.
• Encourage injured workers to follow doctor’s orders, take prescribed medications, and give injuries time to heal. Work with employees who are off the job for a period because of work-related injuries.
• Keep in touch, and follow their progress.
• And finally, facilitate their return to work, and provide additional training, if necessary, to prevent future incidents.

Think about the proper procedures for reporting and investigating safety incidents.

Exercise

Now, it’s time for an exercise. Read the sentences on the screen, and choose the best word to fill in the blank and complete each sentence.

• On slippery surfaces, employees should walk slowly and slide their feet to prevent slips and falls.
• To prevent falls on stairs, workers should always leave one hand free to hold the rail.
• To eliminate trip hazards, train workers not to leave boxes, cords, and other trip hazards in walkways.
• To minimize injuries in the event of a slip or trip and fall, train employees to roll with the fall.

How did you do? Did you get all the answers right? Would you have done better if you had gone back and reviewed the information first?

Review

Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented in the previous slides. For example, do you understand what we’ve said about:

• Strategies for preventing slips, trips, and falls?
• Housekeeping requirements?
• Eliminating slip and trip hazards?
• Preventing falls on stairs and from ladders?
• Helping workers prevent falls outdoors and at home?
• Teaching employees how to fall to minimize injuries?
• Dealing with slip, trip, and fall injuries on the job?

It’s important to understand this information so that you can eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards and prevent injuries.

Let’s continue now to the last slide and some key points to remember about this training session.

Key Points to Remember

Here are the main points to remember from this session on slips, trips, and falls:

• Recognize the impact of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.
• Inspect work areas and eliminate slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Train employees to recognize and avoid slip, trip, and fall hazards on the job.
• Help employees prevent slips, trips, and falls outdoors and at home.
• Report and investigate slip, trip, and fall incidents.

Do you understand all the key points of the training material?