Slips, Trips, and FallsEHSRM

February 2014

Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Target Audience– All UAF employees and students

• Objectives– Increase employee awareness to recognize

slip, trip, and fall hazards at UAF– Encourage employee participation in

identifying, reporting and preventing injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls

See something, say something, do something

Slips, Trips, and Falls• Learning Objectives

– General– UAF slips, trips and falls– Costs of slips, trips and falls– Definitions– Circumstances associated with slips, trips,

falls– Risk factors – Types of injuries– Prevention– Reporting

Slips, Trips, and Falls - General

• Majority of general industry accidents are caused by slips, trips and falls

• Slips, trips and falls cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are the second leading cause behind motor vehicle accidents

• Slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere in your work environment

• Can result in falls, permanent disability and even death

Costs of Slips, Trips, and Falls• To the employee

– Lost wages– Pain and suffering, embarrassment– Temporary or permanent disability– Reduced quality of life– Death

• To the employer– Loss of productivity– Costs for overtime or training for replacement

worker– Increased insurance premiums

UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls• 32% of all injuries at

UAF are slips, trips and falls

• Average annual costs due to workman’s comp claims at UAF: approximately $282,000

• Average annual total employee days away from work: 135 days

UAF Slips, Trips, and Falls (cont.)

• In 2012, we had– 55 reported slips, trips and falls

• 43 were outside, 12 inside• 33 of the 43 outside occurred during months

when ice and snow are normally present

• In 2013, we had– 65 reported slips, trips, and falls

• 47 outside, 12 inside, 6 were falls from equipment

• 28 of the 47 outside occurred during months when ice and snow are normally present

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Definitions• Slip– Lack of friction or

traction between footwear and walking or working surface that results in loss of balance

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Definitions (cont.)

• Trip– Foot or lower leg hitting

an object and the upper body continues to move forward resulting in loss of balance

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Definitions (cont.)• Fall

– A fall occurs when one is too far off center of balance.

• Two types of Falls– Fall at same level

• Fall to same walking or working surface, or

• Fall into or against objects above the same surface

– Fall to lower level• Fall to level below walking or working

surface

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Slip Circumstances• Wet areas on walking surfaces• Dry products on walking surface• Freshly waxed surfaces• Icy walk ways• Transitioning from one surface to another• Sloped walking surfaces• Mounting and dismounting vehicles and

equipment• Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel

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Trip Circumstances• Uneven surfaces• Sidewalk/curb drops• Wheelchair ramps and curbs• Uncovered cables, wires or extension

cords across aisles or walkways.• Clutter or obstacles in aisles or walkways• Open file cabinet or desk drawer• Irregularities in walking surfaces• Damaged steps on stairways• Elevator not level

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Fall Circumstances• Slipping or tripping

• Not wearing fall protection while working

• Improper use of ladders

• Inattention to surroundings

• Condition of ground surfaces - Icy, wet, uneven, cluttered with debris

• Improperly mounting/dismounting of equipment

• Loss of balance

• Unprotected edges

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Risk Factors – Environmental Conditions

Icy Surfaces

Snow Buildup on Stairs

Poor Lighting

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Risk Factors - Environmental Conditions

Fog or misty conditions

Poor Housekeeping

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Risk Factors – Human

• Carrying objects that– Obstruct your view– Do not leave a free hand

• Lack of situational awareness – Texting and walking or listening to music– Talking on cell phones while walking

• In a hurry or taking shortcuts• Failing eyesight or visual perception• Age• Physical/medical conditions

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Risk Factors – Human (cont.)

Improper Use of Ladders

Lack of Fall Protection Equipment

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Types of Slip, Trip & Fall Injuries• Back and neck injuries• Head injuries• Muscle injuries• Joint injuries• Broken bones

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Prevention: Identify the Hazards in the Photos

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Prevention – Hazards Identified

Water on floorCord in walkwayBroom sticking out Stair tread pealed

up

Snow on stairs creating an uneven

surface

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Prevention (cont.)• Report identified hazards –

unsafe condition report• Wear proper footwear with good traction• Use hand rails when using stairways• Complete required trainings• Be aware of your surroundings

Remove clutter from walkways

Utilize fall protection Wear ice cleats

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Reporting• To report accident/injury or near

misses, use the Accident Injury Report

• To report an unsafe condition, use the Unsafe Condition Report

• To report icy conditions that need attention, please contact Facility Services directly at 474-7000 or dispatch@fs.uaf.edu or snowremoval@fs.uaf.edu

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Remember if you report an unsafe condition you are automatically entered into a quarterly incentive award drawing!

Contact Information

Main Line Carol Shafford 474-5413

cashafford@alaska.edu

Ice Cleats, Loss PreventionBillie Swaim 474-6164

bjswaim@alaska.edu

Occupational Safety, Accident and Injury

Gary Beaudette 474-2763

gsbeaudette@alaska.eduKim Knudsen 474-5476

klamb1@alaska.edu

www.uaf.edu/safety/

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