“SAFETY SMART”

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

v Second only to automobile accidents causing

personal injury;

v On stairways alone, falls result in almost two

million disabling injuries yearly; and

v Industrial falls cause over 1000 deaths each year.

SLIPS - loss of balance caused by too little friction

between your feet and the walking surface.

Fact Factors that can cause slips are:

ü ice;

ü oil;

ü water;

ü cleaning fluids; and

ü other slippery substances.

Prevention of Slips:

Ø always use hand rails and watch your step on stairs;

Ø keep your stairways lit and free of objects;

Ø don’t obstruct your vision;

Ø avoid walking in areas which pose slipping hazards;

Ø always clean up spills of slippery substances;

Ø prevent spills; and

Ø wear slip resistance soles.

T

TRIPS – loss of balance caused by interference between your forward motion and some object.

Factors that can cause trips are:

v Obstruction in the walkway;

v Objects that project into the walkway;

v Poor lighting; and

v Uneven walking surfaces.

Prevention of Trips:

o keep walkways free of objects;

o repair uneven flooring; and

o install proper lighting.

FALLS –are caused whenever you move too far off your center of balance.

Factors that can cause falls are:

q Makeshift ladders;

q Incorrect use of ladders;

q Reaching too far up or to the side while on the ladder;

q Ladders set on loose or uneven ground; and

q Slip or trip often ends in painful falls.

Prevention of Falls

· never use makeshift ladders;

· use the appropriate ladders;

· use the ladders properly;

· follow ladder safety rules;

· use fall protection when required.

Ladder Safety Rules

1. Set the base out from its support one foot for every four feet of

working ladder height; (1 to 4 rule)

2. Have some one hold the base or tie off the ladder securely;

3. Set the ladder on firm stable ground;

4. Extend and extension ladder three feet beyond its contact with

the building;

5. Never use the top rung; and

6. Always inspect a ladder before use.