Slip, Trips and Falls

Presented byBill Taylor

Over 20%Of all Accidents

Second Only toAuto Accidents

Can you walk?• Most of us are very experienced

walkers. After all, we've been walking almost all of our lives. So why is it that simply putting one foot in front of the other to get from place to place results in so many injuries? After all, slips, trips and falls are a major cause of injuries, both at work and away from work.

Slips, Trips and Falls - Deadly!

• According to OSHA, Slip, Trips and Falls cause 15% of all accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicles.

Slips, Trips and Falls - Dangerous

• Nationally, 20% of all injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls.

• In an CAL-OSHA study from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000, with a total of 329 accidents, there were 75 which were slips and falls which is 22% of the total.

• Change to MSHA

CAL-OSHA Study

• Admittedly, some of these injuries involve falls from ladders, buildings, or other heights. However, most of them are injuries to folks just walking from one place to another, why does this happen?

Can you walk?

• We all recognize that the winter months are especially hazardous due to the presence of ice and snow, but there are many other factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls:

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Loose, irregular surfaces such as gravel, shifting floor tiles, and uneven sidewalks, can make it difficult to maintain your footing.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Oil, grease and other spilled liquids can make walking surfaces extremely slick.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Stairs can present a special challenge, especially stairs that are taller, shorter, or have a smaller tread depth, or are otherwise irregular.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Obstructed aisles or walkways present tripping hazards or require frequent changes of direction, throwing you off balance.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Insufficient light can make it difficult to see obstacles and notice changes in the walking surface.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Shoes with slick soles provide insufficient traction, while platform shoes and high heels increase your vulnerability to uneven surfaces.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Moving too fast increases the likelihood you will misjudge a step or encounter a hazard before you have a chance to notice it.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Carrying large items can both obstruct your vision and impair your balance.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• Inattention and distraction interfere with your awareness of all of these hazards and increase your risk of injury.

Some Things That Help Us Fall

• In the 35-44 age group, the ninth leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 647 deaths

• In the 45-54 age group, the fifth leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 1024 deaths

• In the 55-64 age group, the third leading cause of Injury Death was “Unintentional Fall” with 1004 deaths

• Most of the CAL-OSHA population falls in the 35-64 age group

• More than 40% of our Lost Time and Restricted Work Injuries were a result of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Remember Year 2000

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