Using common sense and carefully reviewing the workspace for potential hazards can help reduce the risk of injury from falls.
Will Flower
Everyone falls down. Toddlers and kids fall down a lot—most of the time without injury. But as adults, a slip or a trip can result in a fall that can cause serious injury including muscle strain, back injury and even broken bones.
The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) reports that more than 65 percent of all workplace falls occur at the same level—usually from a slip or trip; the other 35 percent of falls occur from a height such as falling off a ladder, stairs, loading dock or from a piece of equipment.
Most slips are caused by wet, oily or greasy surfaces, weather hazards (including snow and ice), loose, unanchored rugs or mats or flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have same degree of traction in all areas. Trips occur when foot strikes an object causing the loss of balance and a potential fall. The most common causes of tripping includes obstructed view, ground clutter including wires, ropes or cords, uneven floor surfaces and uneven stairs, and wrinkled mats or carpeting.
Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Preventing slips and trips will help keep the workforce safe. Below are some ways to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury from falls:
- Wear proper footwear—Wearing proper footwear with appropriate tread is one of the simplest ways to avoid slips. Workers who are outside and working in snow and icy conditions may require a different type of tread on a shoe or boot compared to a worker who works in areas where floors might be oily.
- Good housekeeping—Keeping walkways and work areas clean and orderly will help reduce the risk of trips and slips. Spills should be immediately cleaned up. Wet floors should be identified as such using signage to warn employees of the potential hazard. Removing clutter including debris, boxes, cords, hoses and wires from walkways and work spaces will reduce the potential for tripping.
- Make repairs when necessary—Broken floor tiles, worn out carpet, mats with turned up corners and rugs with tears and wrinkles should be replaced to prevent tripping. Uneven floors and broken stairs should be repaired.
- Improve visibility—Workers need to see where they are going. Review the work area to ensure lighting is adequate. Additionally, remind workers to take extra precautions when moving large objects that limit their vision of the walkway or floor. When moving bulky items, consider getting additional help or use a cart or hand-truck to make the move safer.
- Three-Points of Contact—Use three points of contact when climbing in and out of a vehicle or piece of equipment.
- Warnings—Use signage to warn employees of dangerous situations. This is especially important on loading docks and stairs.
- Use good ladders—Ladders should be inspected and workers should be properly trained in the proper set up and use of ladders to avoid falls and injuries. Ladders should be placed on solid surfaces. Broken ladders should be immediately taken out of service and repaired or discarded.
Review Your Safety Strategies
Using common sense and carefully reviewing the workspace for potential hazards can help reduce the risk of injury from falls. Good housekeeping and timely repairs to damaged equipment and flooring will also reduce the risk of slips and trips. And finally, proper footwear and regular safety training to remind workers on the precautions that should be taken to avoid slips and trips will help keep the team safe.
Next month’s safety tip will focus on a common, but potentially dangerous, activity in our industry … the backing of vehicles and equipment.
Will Flower is the President of Green Stream Recycling headquartered on Long Island, NY. Will has 32 years of experience in the area of solid waste management and environmental protection. He has worked in the Director’s Office of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, for Waste Management, Inc. and later, for Republic Services. Inc. He has held operational and executive leadership positions.
Share your safety tip. Submit your suggestions to Will Flower at [email protected].