Avoiding Slips, Trips, and Falls

Today I wanted to write about avoiding slips, trip, and falls.  The reason for this topic is because I almost hit the deck walking through a warehouse yesterday when a piece of shrink wrap jumped out and grabbed my leg.  In reality I was most likely looking up at products, and not paying as much attention to where I was walking as I should have.  In reality the people that work in this facility most likely spend much of their day looking up as well, not down at the hazards on the floor.

NIOSH and the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) have identified some of the major causes of slips, trips, and falls, along with counter-measures for preventing them.  Implementing these measures can help keep down near misses such as mine and reduce workers’ compensation costs from when the near missed become accidents/incidents.  The major causes are debris in the walk way, uneven or damaged floors, weather conditions, inadequate lighting, poorly designed or maintained stairs or handrails, and tripping hazards.  The following are some of the recommendations for preventing these.

• Well-documented housekeeping procedures. The CDC suggests creating a written housekeeping program.
  
• Two-step mopping. This technique, in which a cleaning solution is applied, then removed, is more effective than traditional damp-mopping and may reduce slipping hazards.
  
• Slip-resistant shoes. In persistently slick areas, workers should wear appropriate footwear.
  
• Correctly aligning pipes with the drain they empty into, unclogging drains regularly, and redirecting downspouts away from sidewalks.

• Replacing or restretching loose or buckled carpeting
  
• Removing, patching underneath, and replacing indented or blistered vinyl tile
  
• Eliminating trip hazards over a quarter-inch high in all areas of pedestrian travel, using beveling or ramps
  
• Replacing smooth flooring materials in areas normally exposed to water, grease, and/or particulate matter with rougher-surfaced flooring
  
• Making sure elevators are leveled properly so elevator floors line up evenly with hallway floors

• Patching or filling cracks greater than a half-inch wide in walkways
  
• Highlighting changes in elevation with Safety Yellow warning paint
  
• Eliminating concrete wheel stops in parking lots
  
• Covering or highlighting underground watering system structures

• Providing additional mats when needed
• Removing ice and snow from parking lots, garages, and sidewalks promptly
  
• Placing freezing weather warning monitors at entrances to employee parking areas
  
• Displaying contact numbers for the maintenance department so employees can report slick conditions
  
• Placing bins of ice-melting chemicals in outdoor areas of heavy pedestrian traffic

• Slip-resistant treads and nosing that cover the entire tread, especially on outside steps
  
• Handrails at an appropriate height (34 to 38 inches from the stepping surface)
  
• Handrails that extend the full length of the stairs plus 12 inches at top and one tread depth at bottom

• Using wall-mounted storage hooks, shelves, and hose spools
  
• Marking walkways and keeping them clear
  
• Covering cords on the floor with a beveled protective cover
  
• Using mats and runners large enough that users can take several footsteps on them, thereby cleaning contaminants off their shoes before the shoes contact the flooring
  
• Using beveled-edge, flat, and continuous or interlocking mats
  
• Replacing mats that are curled, ripped, or worn (secure edges with carpet tape if needed)

King Operator wants to be your partner in preventing all kings of injuries in the workplace, on the job-site, or at home.  Please let us help you to identify products that can help keep everyone in your facility or on your job site safe.  Check out some of our top selling products like the Ergodyne Chill-Its® GB5155 Low-Profile Hydration Packs and the OccuLux® Class 2 Premium Expandable Two-Tone Mesh Vests available on our website.  Our special this month the Sqwincher Powder Pack™ Dry Mix is available by emailing jfeith@kingosafety.com for $130.00.  These are 80 pack cases down from $189.22.  Feel free to call 317.503.8611 or email jfeith@kingosafety.com with questions or comments.

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