Trip & Fall Hazards - · PDF fileTrip & Fall Hazards Remove the Liability of Uneven Walkways...

Trip & Fall Hazards Remove the Liability of Uneven Walkways

Todd Fulk Georgia Safe Sidewalks

Trip & Fall Injuries Happen Every Day

ADA Guidelines for Trip Hazards • 303 Changes in Level • 303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply

with 303. • 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical. • Vertical Change in Level • TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS • 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm)

high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. • 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall

comply with 405 or 406. • Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or

406 (Curb Ramps). • 405 Ramps • 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. • 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. • TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES • Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities • Slope1 Maximum Rise • Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) • Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) • 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. • Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142


with 303. • 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be

vertical. • Vertical Change in Level • TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS • 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm)







comply with 405 or 406. • Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405

(Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps). • 405 Ramps • 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. • 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. • TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES • Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities • Slope1 Maximum Rise • Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) • Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) • 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. • Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142

Liability to Property Owners

• ADA is the “law of the land” • ADA places a direct responsibility upon

property owner • Universities have a higher pedestrian

population than most = higher risk & attention

Headaches of Litigation

• It will always be less costly to repair sidewalks rather than litigate over them.

• Stress & anxiety of giving depositions • Cost associated with employees being “out of

office” • Cost associated with lawyer fees, settlement,

or court ruling. • Affect on insurance premiums.

You can’t Hide from Obligation

• Ignorance of the law is no defense • Ignorance approach already defeated in court

Campus Aesthetics

• Poorly maintained sidewalks are a direct reflection of your university.

• You are in competition with other institutions for that tuition money.

Repair Options

• Ramping or “patching” • Grinding

– Scarifying – Cup grinding

• Mud jacking • Saw Cutting • Demolition & replacement

Ramping or “Patching” Process: using a self-mixing concrete or asphalt material to construct a “ramp” from the high slab to the low.

Advantages: Usually a pretty low cost option. Usually a fast repair option. Can usually be done while class is in session. Can be done with in-house maintenance staff.

Disadvantages: Majority of these type repairs do not meet ADA slope requirements This is a very short term repair

Very common to see these repairs crackling, crumbling and falling apart in a matter of months. End up re-doing these repairs every year.

Mud Jacking Process: Drill hole through surface of walkway, pump concrete under pressure below slab until pressure raises the existing concrete slab.

Advantages: A good option for extremely large slabs; ie, 20’ x 20’ concrete slabs. Great option for stairwells, internal hallways or floors that are sinking. Cost can vary depending upon “void” under the concrete.

Mud Jacking Disadvantages: Very difficult to bring joint between two slabs to “flush”. Very common to see joint “close to flush”, then they use concrete material to “ramp” the joint. The hole that was drilled is left filled with the concrete material. End up with a hole and concrete spill in every slab repaired. Concrete hole will crack and begin to crumble with time. Very labor intensive process that requires fairly large equipment onto campus.

Grinding - Scarifier Process: Using a machine called a grinder/scarifier to grind or chip away the high concrete. A machine with an engine and a drum in a frame spinning around with diamond “teeth” to chip away concrete.

Advantages: Machine can be rented or purchased. Repairs can be done with your in-house maintenance staff. Usually a fairly low cost option. Better for smaller hazards between ¼” and 1”.

Disadvantages: Leaves a very ugly, unprofessional appearance, normally. Very difficult to make repair without scarring up opposing slab. Very difficult, if not impossible to remove entire trip hazard.

Grinder - Scarifier Disadvantages: Leaves a very uneven repair surface. Utilize equipment designed for “other applications”. If purchased, requires an equipment investment for rare use. Replacement of teeth very expensive. Repairs rarely meet ADA guidelines, very common to see corner knocked off only. A fairly slow process, specifically for hazards > ½”

Customer Quote: “Nobody who truly cares about the appearance of their property will allow somebody to tear up their sidewalks with a grinder.”

Grinding – Cup Wheel Process: Use of a large angle grinder with a “grinding cup wheel” to grind/rub off the high concrete.

Advantages: Parts and equipment can be purchased at local hardware stores. Repairs can be done by in-house staff. A pretty low cost option: equipment and labor.

Disadvantages: Takes forever, and ever, ………….and ever to complete the repair. Rarely do repairs meet ADA compliance (worker gets tired and cuts corner to get it done). An extremely dusty process, no known dust suppression.

Saw Cutting Process: Utilization of concrete cutting blade technology to make a horizontal “flush” cut to remove the high concrete trip hazard.

Advantages: Only method specifically designed and developed for trip hazard removal. A “precision” cut based on height of trip hazard, not length. Inexpensive option, competitive if not below cost of other options. Very fast process, average repair takes 15 minutes, do as much in 1 day as other processes take a week to complete.

Smooth, even surface, still exceed OSHA coefficient of friction. Leaves a flush joint. No contact with opposing slab. Removal entire trip hazard, all the way to wall or drop off.

Saw Cutting Advantages: Small equipment means no damage to landscaping & utilities. Most projects done while class in session. Long lasting repairs, years, 6+ and counting. No increased degradation of concrete. Use of GPS technology for project documentation. No clean up or participation required by your staff.

Saw Cutting

Disadvantages: ??????????????????? Different color? All processes leave a different color. Dust suppression? Includes dust suppression but is not 100%, but can be. Leaves a thinner repair? Unknown to be a problem.

Demolition & Replacement Advantages: New sidewalk! Should/better meet ADA compliance. Creates a “new” appearance to campus. Allows pruning of roots and/or repair of cause.

Disadvantages: Most expensive option, as much as 80% more. Disruptive to daily activities, requires closing of walkway. Requires heavy equipment onto campus. Frequent results in damage to landscaping, utilities, requiring subsequent repairs. Subject to vandalism. Creates greatest amount of waste into landfills. Slowest of all processes.

Maintenance is Key

• Every year your maintenance staff, or safety specialist should walk your sidewalks

• Trip hazards take years and years to develop, not months

• Keep heavy equipment and vehicles off of your “pedestrian” sidewalks

• Invest in making some sort of repairs to your walkways every year

Trip & Fall Injuries are Not Funny

Trip & Fall Hazards - · PDF fileTrip & Fall Hazards Remove the Liability of Uneven Walkways...

Documents

Transcript of Trip & Fall Hazards - · PDF fileTrip & Fall Hazards Remove the Liability of Uneven Walkways...