Every year hundreds of thousands of slip, trip and fall injuries are reported. Slips, trips and falls at work can lead to serious injury.
In general, slips and trips occur due to a loss of traction between the shoe and the walking surface or an inadvertent contact with a fixed or moveable object that may lead to a fall. There are a variety of situations that may cause slips, trips and falls such as: wet or greasy floors; uneven walking surfaces; sloped walking surfaces; shoes with wet, muddy, greasy or oily soles; clutter, electrical cords or cables; open desk or file cabinet drawers; or weather hazards such as rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail or frost.
Prevent slips, trips and falls by following these recommendations:
- Post safety signs to remind everyone of hazards and policies. Posting the right safety signs will help to alert workers of trip and fall hazards, remind them to check ladders and scaffolding, and alert them to your policies for a clean workplace.
- Clean up spills and moisture immediately. If a spill can’t be cleaned up right away, place “wet floor” or “hazard” warning signs for workers.
- Debris-free paths. Good housekeeping is critical. Safety and housekeeping go hand-in-hand. Keep walkways and hallways free of debris, clutter and obstacles.
- Wear proper footwear. Be sure to wear comfortable, fitted footwear that has enough traction on the bottom.
- Control individual behavior. It’s human nature to let our guard down temporarily and be distracted by random thoughts or doing multiple activities. Being in a hurry will result in walking too fast or running, which increases the chances of a slip, trip or fall.
- See accidents before they happen. Poor lighting can cause anyone, at work or home, to misstep and trip. Adequate lighting makes it easier to avoid hazards.
If you’d like to learn more about slip, trip and fall safety, please refer back to your online training provided by HR.