presents

ACCESS SAFETY

Todd Culver, Assistant Director

Occupational Safety & HealthTraining Project - in partnership with

MIOSHA – CET Division

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This material was prepared under a Consultation Education and Training (CET)

Grant awarded by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (MIOSHA). MIOSHA is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Points of

view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily reflect the view or policies

of LARA.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

• Slips, Trips, & Falls

• Hazards - Causes & Prevention

• Discussion of Specific Safety Issues in Your Workplace

• Question & Answer

Slips, Trips and Falls

Slips, Trips and Falls

Slip Sliding Away…

Slip: Loss of balance caused by too little friction between the walking surface and a person’s shoe

Flooring 50%

Footwear 24%

Fraud 10%

Hazard Identification 9%

Training 7%

Source: National Floor Safety Institute

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Source: National Floor Safety Institute

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Flooring 50%

• What type of floor?

• What’s on the floor?

• How do we maintain the floor?

What Type of Floor?

Tile

What Type of Floor?

Concrete

What Type of Floor?

Wood

What Type of Floor?

Rubberized orCoated Surface

Flooring Transitions

Metal/ Aluminum

Source: National Floor Safety Institute

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Flooring 50%

• What type of floor?

• What’s on the floor?

• How do we maintain the floor?

What’s on the Floor

Material

Hydraulic Fluid

Solvents

Trips

Trip: Hit an object, lose your balance and fall

NOTE: As little as 3/8” rise in a walkway can cause someone to “stub” his/her toe and fall. NOTE: As little as 3/8” rise in a walkway can cause someone to “stub” his/her toe and fall.

Indoor Trip Hazards

• Common causes:– Cluttered areas– Rugs, mats, carpeting– Exposed cables, cords

Outdoor Trip Hazards

• Cracks or holes in parking lots

• Loading Docks – surface irregularities/wheel chocks

• Watch for parking stops and speed bumps in parking lots

Falls

Fall: When you lose your balance and drop to the floor (caused by slip or a trip)

• Falls on the same level– Slip or trip immediately

precedes fall to floor or walkway

Falls

Fall: When you lose your balance and drop to the floor (caused by slip or a trip)

• Falls on the same level– Slip or trip immediately

precedes fall to floor or walkway

• Falls to lower level– Falls are from ladders,

steps or stairs

To Reduce Slips:

• Keep floors swept and free from obstacles or debris • Clean up spills and put up warning signs• Consider installing non-slip tiling/non-slip floor products• Utilize drip trays or pans around leaking valves

Safe Shoes - Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:• Slip-resistant soles and a good tread• Tightly tied laces

Don’ts:• No leather or smooth soles• No tennis shoes in areas

prone to be wet

One Part Floor and One Part Shoe

Source: Maynard, W.S., The Aging Workforce: Implications For Managing Slips,Trips and Falls, The Eastern Ergonomics Conference and Exposition, NYC, May 30, 2007.

One Part Human Factor

Just as with vehicle traffic, when conditions are slippery – SLOW DOWN, & USE EXTRA CAUTION

HAZARDOUS AREAS

• Parking lots and sidewalks• Entrances• Areas with materials that can leak/spill• Food & beverage service areas• Aisles, stairways and ramps• Restrooms

SPECIFICALLY…• PARKING LOTS: Cracked pavement, lot

dividers, speed bumps, curbs• ENTRANCES: People tend to track in water,

snow, and slush• FOOD OR BEVERAGE SERVICE AREAS: Spills• AISLES: Materials, equipment, or debris• STAIRWAYS & RAMPS: Poor lighting, damaged

stairs, loose handrails, clutter• RESTROOMS: Water on the floor

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Maintenance of sidewalks and parking lots• Repair damaged areas quickly; apply absorbent

materials to oil or grease spills• Make sure all traffic areas are well-lit• Paint speed bumps so they’re easier to see

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Use mats at all entrances• During winter, use a primary and secondary mat to

make sure shoes get dry - and vacuum regularly• Make sure entrance mats aren’t curled at the edge

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Be especially vigilant in areas where materials can leak or spill

• Use appropriate floor cleaners if grease spills• Take time to clean up spills immediately• Post signs warning of slippery conditions• Tread lightly, be careful

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Keep aisles clear• Good housekeeping = neat work area minimizes

trip hazards• Check that handrails are secure• Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles• Be aware of flooring transitions• Exercise caution on ladders, stairs, and

platforms

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Watch for trouble: clean up spills and remove obstacles immediately

• It doesn’t matter who made the mess; if you don’t help to fix it, you become part of the problem

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Accidents don’t just happen; they are performance errors

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Accidents don’t just happen; they are performance errors

• There is always SOMETHING about the experience of an accident or injury that could have been DIFFERENT

PREVENTION:LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING

• Accidents don’t just happen; they are performance errors

• There is always SOMETHING about the experience of an accident or injury that could have been DIFFERENT

• It’s our responsibility to identify those factors which could contribute to an accident, and exercise our influence so that it doesn’t happen

It Happens More - and Costs More-

Than You Might Think

• In 2011, Slips/Falls was one of the leading causes of workplace injury, and accounted for 26% of all claims filed by MARO Workers’ Comp. Fund members

• It’s a serious problem, requiring focused attention - and it’s not inevitable

• Working together, these accidents can be prevented

Recent Trends within MARO Fund

• 2010, Slips/Falls resulted in 40 claims• Net Losses: $198,000• Average Cost/Claim: $4,950• 2011, Slips/Falls resulted in 33 claims• Net Losses:$356,000• Average Cost/Claim:$10,800

• Our Goal: ZERO

PREVENTION

AWARENESS

THANK YOU

QuestionsOr

Comments?

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CONTACT INFO

Todd CulverAssistant Director

MARO

Removing Barriers to Community Access

517-484-5588tculver@maro.org

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CONTACT INFO

You can also visit the MIOSHA website at

www.michigan.gov/mioshapublications where additional information may be

available; or contact the Consultation, Education & Training

Division at (517) 322-1809

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