Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Healthcare Workers

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Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Recognize slips, trips, and falls as a serious

safety problem• Identify slip, trip, and fall hazards on the job• Avoid and eliminate trip and slip hazards• Use stairs and ladders safely to avoid falls•Minimize injuries if you do fall


What You Need to Know• Frequency and types of slip, trip, and fall

injuries• Common causes of slips, trips, and falls• How to prevent trips and slips• How to prevent falls from stairs and on

ladders•What to do if you fall


Injury Statistics• There are over 265,000 nonfatal injuries

from slips, trips, and falls• Slips, trips, and falls result in 17% of all

nonfatal workplace injuries per year•More than 750 workers die each year in

workplace falls• Patients and visitors can also become

statistics


Types of Injuries• Back or spine injuries• Head injuries• Muscle strains • Sprains and torn

ligaments• Broken bones• Even death


Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls• Messy work areas• Inadequate lighting• Not watching where

you’re going• Running or walking too

fast• Spills and wet floors


Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls (cont.)

• Clutter• Open drawers• Flooring problems• Failure to use handrails

going up or down stairs• Lack of caution on

ladders• Wearing inappropriate

shoes


Eliminate Trip Hazards• Put things away after use• Pick up items you see on the floor• Step over or around obstructions•Walk slowly and change directions slowly,

especially when carrying a load•Watch for changes in floor levels• Report lighting problems


Eliminate Trip Hazards (cont.)

• Don’t leave boxes, bags, tools, or other materials on the floor• Don’t block walkways with carts,

wheelchairs, or other equipment• Don’t leave cords or power cables in

walkways• Don’t place anything on stairs• Don’t leave drawers open


Watch Out for Slip Hazards• Clean up spills, drips, and leaks immediately• Put up signs or barriers to warn about wet

floors• Put down mats on wet days•Wear shoes with nonskid soles•Walk slowly and slide your feet on wet,

slippery surfaces• Report icy spots outside


Keep Alert and Use Common Sense• Be aware of the

hazards• Pay attention to where

you are going• Adjust your stride

according to the walking surface• Make wide turns at

corners• Don’t block your vision

when carrying items


Slip and Trip Hazards• Do you understand the

information presented so far?


Be Careful on Stairs• Use handrails• Walk—don’t run• Inspect for slippery

surfaces or damaged steps• Do not put objects on

steps• Be especially careful

when carrying a load


Choose the Right Ladder for the Job• Step stool• Stepladder• Straight ladder• Extension ladder


Ladder ‘Don’ts’• Don’t stand on the top

two steps of a stepladder or the top three rungs of a straight or extension ladder• Don’t place a ladder on

boxes or barrels to gain height• Don’t join two short

ladders together to form a longer ladder• Don’t use a box or chair

in place of a ladder


Set Up Ladders Correctly• Place ladders on a firm, level surface• Take precautions when setting up in front of

a door•Make sure stepladder braces are fully

extended• Position straight and extension ladders

properly (4 to 1 rule)•Watch where you lean ladders• Secure ladders top and bottom


Climb and Descend Safely• Wear proper shoes• Allow only one person

on the ladder at a time• Face the ladder when

climbing and descending, and hold onto rails with both hands• Carry tools so hands

are free• Hoist up materials

once you’re up


Climb and Descend Safely (cont.)

• Keep one hand on the ladder while you work• Keep your body centered• Don’t overreach•Move slowly and cautiously• Never slide down a ladder


Inspect Ladders Before Each UseBe sure to check:• Joints• Hardware and fittings• Moveable parts• Ropes• Safety feet and locks• Rungs and steps


Stair and Ladder Hazards• Do you understand the

information presented in the previous slides?


What to Do If You’re Falling• Bend elbows and knees to absorb shock• Roll with the fall• Tuck your head• Use hands and forearms to break the fall• Yell or exhale as you fall


What to Do If You’re Injured• Report the incident to

your supervisor• Get medical attention• Follow doctor’s orders


Key Points to Remember• Keep walkways clean and clear • Clean up spills promptly and pick up trip

hazards from the floor•Make sure stairs and ladders are safe and

use them carefully•Walk slowly, watch where you’re going, and

wear proper shoes• Don’t carry loads that block your vision

Slips, Trips, and Falls

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