Post on 08-May-2022
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Safety Educational Webinar Series – Preventing
Slips, Trips and Falls
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Before We Get Started . . .
May 12, 2021
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SMT Available Resources – Take Advantage!
Kim Draude, Manager Risk Control ServicesBeneconkdraude@benecon.com
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Why We Are Here!?!?
Routine work can dull alertness and create a relaxed attitude.
In many jobs the same tasks are repeated with little thought.
We may not recognize the importance for safety because we have been doing the same task for years.
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Overview
Without some periodic reawakening to the ever-present hazards around us, lethargy deepens and the odds of an accident occurring increases.
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Public Enemy #1
OSHA estimates that slips, trips and falls cause approximately 15 percent of accidental deaths.
Second only to motor vehicle accidents.
Account for between 12-15 percent of Workers’ Compensation costs.
Average cost for one disabling injury now approaching $30,000.
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Such An Important Topic
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SlipA slip occurs when there is
too little traction or friction
between the shoe and
walking surface.
A trip occurs when a person’s foot
contacts an object in their way or
drops to a lower level unexpectedly,
causing them to be thrown off-balance.
TripFall
A fall occurs when you
are too far off balance.
What Are Slips, Trips & Falls?
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Slips & Falls
Slips are primarily caused by a loss in the traction between the shoe and the walking surface.
Slips and falls occur when:
– The front foot slips forward
– The rear foot slips backward
This is often compounded by wearing the wrong footwear.
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Trips & Falls
Trips and falls occur when the front foot strikes an object and
suddenly stops.
The upper body is thrown forward and a fall occurs.
– 1/2” rise can cause a person to “stub” their toe resulting in a trip
and fall.
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Prevention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_iYaQSJTdc
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Same Level Falls
Statistics show that the majority (66%) of falls happen on the same
level resulting from slips and trips.
What are some common hazards that could cause a same level fall?
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Elevated Falls
Elevated falls do not occur as frequently as same level falls (34%).
The resulting injuries and costs are however, usually greater.
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Elevated Falls
Common elevated falls in the workplace include:
– Falls from vehicles and equipment
– Falls from docks and elevated work platforms
– Falls on stairs
– Falls from ladders
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Preventing Fatal Elevated Falls
If ladders are so easy to
use why do so many
people fall from them?
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Responsibilities
Employer Make sure that each employee who uses a ladder
understands how to use the ladder correctly on the job.
They must provide training to employees in recognizinghazards related to ladders and in the procedures they mustfollow to minimize these hazards.
Employees Have to observe the rules and follow the procedures
established by their companies’ programs, and to work safely
when using ladders.
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Types Of Ladders
Step ladders
are hinged
ladders that
must be used in
the open, or “A”
frame, position
Straight ladders
are non-self-
supporting ladders
that include single
section and
extension ladders
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Self-Supporting Ladders
Portable self-supporting ladders can stand up on their own.
Standard stepladders have a front section with steps for climbing and a back section with two rear legs, which give them their stability.
It must have a metal spreader or locking device strong enough to securely hold the front and back sections in the open position.
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What About
The Top Step?
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A person's maximum safe reaching height is
approximately 4 feet higher than the height of
the ladder. For example, a typical person
can safely reach 8 feet on a 4 feet ladder.
The highest permitted standing level
on a stepladder is two steps down
from the top..
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Non Self-Supporting
Non-self-supporting ladders must
be leaned against a stable
structure strong enough to support
the weight of the ladder, user, tools,
and materials being used by the
worker on the ladder.
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Ladder Angle (4 to 1 Ratio)
To achieve the proper work
angle, set the ladder base
1/4th the distance of the
working height back from the
vertical support.
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When accessing a roof or platform, the ladder must
extend a minimum of three rungs above the elevation.
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Slip Resistant Feet
Firm Base Soft Base!?!
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Inspect Ladders Before Use
Look for cracks, splits, dents, bends, corrosion, and missing hardware. All of these ladders are unsafe
and could fail if used by
employees.
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Importance Of Inspections
Two roofing technicians were going on to a flat roof to perform an inspection and repair. The first technician set up a 30 foot extension ladder to access the roof.
The ladder was a Type IA Fiberglass ladder rated for a load capacity of 300 pounds. The technician weighed approximately 160 pounds. The ladder had been inspected and was less than 2 months old. The ladder had not been damaged or subjected to any harsh conditions.
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Importance Of Inspections
As the technician was climbing the ladder he felt the ladder start to give from underneath him.
He was able to reach and hold on to the roof edge as the ladder collapsed.
The second technician was able to get another ladder from their service truck, set the ladder up and get the first technician down safely without incident.
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Importance Of Inspection
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Importance Of Inspections
All fiberglass ladders were immediately brought in from the field and closely examined for any possible defects or damage.
The company found that on approximately 20% of their fiberglass extension ladders there were very small cracks in the fiberglass on the siderails immediately next to the rungs of some ladders.
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Importance Of Inspections
Very small cracks in the siderail fiberglassadjacent to the rungs
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Importance Of Inspections
In addition to the small cracks in the fiberglass in some areas the fiberglass material had split.
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Importance Of Inspections
The small cracks found in the siderails of the extension ladders were not noted to be in any pattern along the siderail.
Currently it is believed the fiberglass may have been damaged or fatigued during the manufacturing process when the rungs were crimped into the siderail of the ladder.
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Discard Damaged Ladders
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Climbing or Descending A Ladder
This wayNot this way
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Mounting/Dismounting Equipment
• Maintain three-point contact at all times while getting onto/off the equipment until reaching ground, cab or stable platform.
• Do not jump off when dismounting or getting off the bed of a truck or other part of the equipment. Step down carefully while facing equipment (reverse order of the pictures above).
Three-point contact:– one hand, two feet– two hands, one foot
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More Protection
Fixed ladders = securely attached to the structure and should support a minimum of 250 lbs.
Fixed ladder rungs should be a minimum of 16” wide and a maximum of 12” apart.
When working above 4’ (general industry) or 6’ (construction) employees should use appropriate fall protection and be trained on its proper use.
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Fall Prevention vs. Fall Protection
Fall prevention does exactly what it says… prevents falls.
More specifically it stops workers from reaching the fall hazard by creating a barrier between the person and the danger zone.
Barriers include platforms and guardrails that eliminate the need for harnesses.
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Fall Prevention vs. Fall Protection
Fall protection basically
prevents workers from
reaching a hazard by having
a restraint that stops the fall.
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Fall Protection
Fall protection need not
be complicated.
In fact, the basics of every
personal fall arrest system
are as simple as A, B, C
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A - Anchorage
The anchorage is the secure point of attachment for the fall arrest system and must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per employee.
The appropriate type of anchorage varies by industry, the job being performed, the type of installation and the structure available, but it must be able to withstand fall arrest forces.
The anchorage connector provides a means of attaching the system to the anchorage.
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Roof Systems
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B – Body Support
The full-body harness provides the necessary body support with straps that fasten around the user and distribute fall arrest forces over the upper thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders.
Body wear must reduce force to less than 1,800 lbsof force.
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Fall Arrest Forces
If you fall, the high force of the fall is concentrated at your
waist rather than the 6 points of a full body harness.
Why Waist Belts Are Not Safe
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B – Body Support
It is up to the user to always wear the harness, inspect it daily before use, and adjust it to fit, according the fall protection manufacture's instructions.
An improper fitting harness can increase the chance of injury.
Proper maintenance and skillful operation and techniques can prevent most accidents.
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C – Connectors
A connector, such as a shock-
absorbing lanyard or self-retracting
lifeline, is a device that links the
user’s full-body harness to an
anchorage.
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Types Of Connectors
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Familiar Equipment?
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What About Fall Protection?
Scissors Lifts require a fully guarded platform (top
rail & midrail).
The platform’s point of access must be fully
guarded when occupied (be sure that the top rail
AND the midrail gate or chain is in place).
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Fall Protection – Scissors Lifts
Harnesses and lanyards
are not required on a
scissors lift unless the site
controlling contractor or
host facility requires
otherwise.
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Tie off to anchorage point designed to withstand
at least 5,000 lbs per employee?
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Aerial Lift – Fall Protection
All platform occupants must wear a harness and be tied-off to designated anchor points. Also, platform must be completely guarded.
Each occupant must be tied-off at ALL times – even when driving the lift with the boom lowered &/or retracted.
| Preventing STFProvided tie off point inside the basket of a JLG.
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Bucket Truck Safety
When working from a bucket truck, taking precautions to prevent a fall is imperative.
A fall to the ground can be prevented if the operator wears a fall protection system.
Harnesses shall be used whenever work is performed at positions more than 4 feet above the ground.
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Summary
There are two types of falls = on the same level and from an elevation.
Train employees to look for slip/trip/fall hazards.
Situations that are identified as hazardous should be corrected as soon as possible.
Ensure walkways and stairways are well lit.
Prevent, prevent, prevent!
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1% Poor Lighting
2% Stairs
2% Ladders
16% Housekeeping
25% Wet or Slippery Surfaces
54% Human Factors
Think About This Before Your Next Step
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Questions, Comments or Concerns?