Yesterday we looked at the huge costs (both in human suffering and money) of slips, trips, and falls. We saw how most of these accidents could be prevented through proper housekeeping and training, and we also touched upon the relevant OSHA standards.
Today we’ll review some tips for preventing slip-and-fall injuries, and look at a tool that can efficiently train your workforce on this subject—and on virtually every other major safety topic.
In a study appearing on the National Ag Safety Database website, University of Florida researchers found that a number of specific behaviors can lead to slips, trips, and falls. These include:
–Walking too fast or running
–Getting distracted
–Not watching where one is going
–Carrying materials that obstruct view
–Wearing sunglasses in low-light areas
–Failure to use handrails
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The researchers offered fall prevention tips in several areas including:
Loading Docks
–Portable railings, which can be easily removed from the edge of the dock, could prevent many dangerous falls. They are removed when a truck or tractor is at the dock, and replaced as soon as the truck or trailer leaves.
–Proper housekeeping, well-designed traffic patterns and the use of abrasive, skid-resistant surface coatings will reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.
–The slopes of ramps and gangplanks should be as gradual as possible, as wide as possible, and as dry as possible. They should also have skid-resistant surfaces.
Stairs
–Stairwells should be well-lighted, with sturdy handrails on both sides. Persons using the stairwell should have one hand free to be able to use the handrail.
–All the steps should have the same rise and depth, with visible edges. They must be kept free of grease, oil, and obstacles, which could cause slips and trips.
–Whenever possible, avoid carrying heavy or bulky objects that obscure your vision and/or require the use of both hands.
Signs and Stripping
–Warning signs should be changed frequently. Recent evidence indicates that “humorous” warnings are more effective than simple warning signs. “CAUTION-WET FLOOR” is less effective than “WET FLOOR—SKATE, DON’T SLIP.”
–Yellow stripping to identify walking and working areas are most effective if their meaning is enforced. Striped areas should mean that no object should be placed in those areas. –Dropped and spilled materials should be removed immediately.
A handout included in BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer provides some even more succinct do’s and don’ts in its so-called “Trip Itinerary”:
DO
–Pay attention to where you’re going and what’s in the way.
–Walk, don’t run.
–Wear sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.
–Keep aisles, stairs, and walkways clear of tools, materials, cords, etc.
–Fix or report broken flooring, stair rails or steps, ladders and burned-out lights.
–Clean up leaks and spills promptly.
–Block off and mark floor areas being cleaned or repaired.
–Dispose of trash promptly and properly.
–Close drawers.
–Stay away from dock and platform edges.
–Walk slowly, sliding your feet, on slippery surfaces.
DON’T
–Wear baggy pants you could trip over.
–Use chairs or boxes instead of a ladder to reach high places.
–Carry loads you can’t see over, especially on stairs.
–Jump on or off platforms and loading docks.
–Tilt back in a chair.
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The handout is part of a slips, trips, and falls training module that also includes a detailed trainer’s guide and a 10-question quiz (with separate answer sheet). And it’s just one of 50 prewritten meetings in 7-Minute Safety Trainer that deal with almost every aspect of safety you’d want or need to train on, in a format designed to be taught in as little as 7 minutes. You can view a complete table of contents here, but among the topics are:
–Confined spaces
–Electrical safety
–Fire safety/response
–HazCom
–Machine guarding and lockout/tagout
–Material handling
–PPE use and care
–Housekeeping/slips, trips, and falls
–and dozens more
Just make as many copies as needed of the handouts and quizzes, and you’re ready to train. You can view materials from a sample module here.
Equally important is that when new or changed regulations compel new training topics or training needs to be freshened, the program ships new meetings every quarter. This service is included inthe program price, which averages just over a dollar a working day. In fact, this is one of BLR’s most popular safety programs.
If you’d like to personally evaluate 7-Minute Safety Trainer and see how it can build safety awareness, we’ll be happy to send it to you for 30 days, on a no-cost, no-obligation trial basis. Just let us know and we’ll arrange it.