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SLIP, TRIP, AND FALL PREVENTION
Training Objectives - Slips, Trips, & Falls
Legislation
Statistics
Controls
Hazards
City Policy & Toolkit
Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act
• Employers must “take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker”. [Section 25(2)(h) and 27(2)(c)]
• Regulations for Industrial Establishments (Reg.851):Section 11 requires floors and other surfaces used by any worker, to be kept free of obstructions, hazards and accumulations of refuse, snow, or ice
• Regulations concerning heights: Guard Rails – Regulation 851 – Sections 13 & 14 Ladders – Regulation 851 – Section 73 (portable ladders) Fall Protection – Regulation 851 – Section 85
Slip, Trip, and Fall Statistics
Did you know?
• Canada-wide, approximately 60,000 workers get injured annually due to falls, with approximately 17,000 occurring in Ontario.
• One in every 6 lost time injuries in Ontario is caused by a fall
(From the WSIB Prevention Fact Sheet “Slips and Falls”)
• Falls can result in critical injuries such as fractures, unconsciousness, or even permanent disability or death
• Falls on the same level are more frequent due to the number of people exposed to those fall hazards. However falls from heights (beyond 1 foot) can often result in more severe injuries.
City of Toronto Statistics Slips, Trips, Falls
Q - What percentage of lost time injuries to City employees each year result from slips, trips, and falls?
A - More than 20% of all lost time injuries to City employees each year result from slips, trips and falls. Slips, trips and falls can also cause harm to members of the public who are clients of City programs and services.
What are some common slip/trip/fall hazardsin your work area, or in the work you perform?
How Do Slips, Trips and Falls Happen?How Do Slips, Trips and Falls Happen?
• The majority of falls happen as a result of slips and trips on the same level due to:
Wet or oily surfaces Occasional spills Weather hazards Loose, unanchored, or wrinkled rugs or mats Walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all
areas Obstructed view, including carrying objects in a way that may
obstruct view Poor lighting Clutter in your way Uncovered cables Bottom drawers of cabinets not being closed Uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces
From CCOHS OSH Answers “Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls”
Some Locations of Reported Slips/Trips/Falls
The following are some reported locations of incidents. Common contributing causes include weather (ice/snow/rain), carrying materials, equipment, or patients while walking, and poor walkway conditions:
• Walkways, steps, driveways, stairs (both outdoor and indoor) to or from workplaces, TTC stops/subway, businesses, private homes, apartment buildings, hospitals, stations
• Parking lots (some City-owned or operated, some not)
• Inside offices - office cubicles, hallways, various floors, bathrooms, stairs, from chairs, elevators
• Vehicles (when entering or exiting) – slips on ice on the ground while exiting or entering, slip or fall off steps of vehicles, trip over equipment in vehicle
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Did you know?
• There are things you can do to prevent slips, trips, and falls, whether you’re working in the office, a station, garage, warehouse, or out in the community
We must all work together to eliminate slips, trips, and falls. All workplace parties have a significant
responsibility for occupational health and safety.
What Can You Do To Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls?
• Know about the hazards that cause slips, trips, and falls• Follow any instructions/training provided• Report hazards and incidents to your supervisor• Be aware of your surroundings • Don’t increase the risk by adding additional hazards • Avoid hazards whenever you can• Use/wear proper equipment and assistive devices
See the following slides for more information on the above.
Knowledge
• Know the slip, trip, fall hazards associated with your work, whether you are working in an office, or other premises; e.g. station, garage, warehouse, or out in the community.
• Know that some factors can combine to increase the risk, for example;
carrying a box or other materials while descending/ascending stairs carrying equipment or work materials while climbing wet stairs or
walking on a slippery driveway using electronic devices (cell phone, BlackBerry) while walking or
using stairs walking on surfaces or climbing stairs in dark conditions stepping to a lower or higher level that is also icy wearing improper footwear while walking on a slippery surface stepping onto a different surface (e.g. from outdoors to indoors) with
snow on your boots
Knowledge
• Know evacuation procedures and the location of exits in advance of an emergency
• Know Your Worker Rights and Responsibilities
Follow Instructions
• Follow the prevention information in this presentation and any additional instructions from your supervisor
• Reduce your own slip, trip, and fall risks as part of your every day work and home life
• Help your co-workers avoid slip, trip, and fall hazards
You are also responsible for reducing your own slip, trip, and fall hazards
Report
• Report any concerns, or slip, trip, or fall incidents (even those not requiring lost time or medical attention) to your supervisor
• Report hazards of which you become aware, to help prevent injuries. Examples can include, but are not limited to;
-poor lighting, stair hazards, defective equipment, loose carpeting or mats, damaged flooring, spills, unsecured electrical/computer cords and wires, clutter, icy or unsalted steps, entrances, or parking lots, reckless behaviour
• Regularly inspect personal protective equipment such as treads on footwear, and fall protection equipment
• Report hazards on City or other business premises to building management
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Look before and while you walk. Make sure your path is clear and watch where you are going.
• Be aware that black ice can look like wet pavement
• Be aware that immediate entrances and stairs could be slippery from melted ice or snow
• Walk slowly and carefully when coming indoors with wet footwear. Try to kick some snow/ice off your footwear (if possible) before entering premises, and wipe your feet on a floor mat (if available) before stepping onto bare floors
• Take extra care when getting out of your vehicle on to an ice or snow covered surface
• Watch out for slippery parking lots, roadways, sidewalks, TTC stops, slippery or wet stairs or floors (clean up spills immediately)
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
• Proceed with extra caution when at unfamiliar premises
• Use caution when walking or climbing stairs in dark conditions, and turn on lights/use flashlights when possible
• Watch out for uneven sidewalks and crosswalks, and hazards such as potholes and streetcar tracks
• Be aware of changes in friction of walking surfaces, for example walking from inside to outside, from snow to ice, from curb to road, from carpet to bare floor
• Slow down and take small careful steps if the surface is rough, cluttered, slippery or at an angle
• Carry objects close to your body and below chest level, when possible, so you can see over or around what you are carrying
Be Aware of Your SurroundingsConstruction Sites
Be aware of increased slip, trip and fall risks associated with some locations such as construction projects. Avoid these hazards whenever possible, and alert others as required.
Some examples include:•Unguarded floor or wall openings
•Excavations
•Incomplete stairs (e.g. no railings)
•Debris, clutter, gravel
Don’t Increase The Risk(for you or others)
YOUR ACTIONS CAN EITHER REDUCE OR INCREASE YOUR RISK
Walking Technique is Important:
• Take short deliberate steps in which the mid-foot strikes the ground first, not the heel
• Always centre the body over the feet. This allows you to ensure the mid-foot strikes the ground first, since most slips occur at the heel strike phase of gait.
• Walk whenever possible, don’t run or rush. Take the time to be safe by slowing the walking pace.
• Change direction slowly when walking on slippery surfaces
• Look to see if a less slippery path is an option
Don’t Increase The Risk(for you or others)
CARRYING OBJECTS:
• Carry items safely to avoid slips, trips, and falls
• Carry objects close to your body and below chest level, when possible, so you can see over or around what you are carrying
• Carrying too many materials at once, or even smaller items in a way that will throw you off balance or obstruct your vision, increases risk.
• Take the time to make more than one trip, ask for assistance, or use assistive devices (e.g. dollies, carts)
The above is important at all times, but especially when slippery conditions exist or when using stairs. The above principles are also important for MSD prevention.
Don’t Increase The Risk (for you or others)
• Close desk and cabinet drawers.
• Clear clutter/obstacles from pathways. Observe good housekeeping practices.
• Use a proper step stool for overhead reaching. Don’t stand on a chair or box.
• Only use a ladder with proper training. If a ladder is defective, don’t use it, remove it from use (so no one else can use it), and report it to your supervisor.
• Sit properly without bending, twisting, or leaning backwards.
• Pick up/clean up items on the floor when observed (spills/water, pens, paper, etc…).
• Report hazards. Don’t ignore them.
Avoid Hazards
• Avoid wet, icy, unsalted walkways when possible. Look for an alternate route.
• Avoid climbing over snow banks or other obstacles to get to your destination. Walk whenever possible on cleared, sanded, well lit walkways.
• Avoid carrying materials in an unsafe manner
• Avoid using objects (such as chairs, boxes) for purposes other than their intended use
• Avoid using electronic devices while using stairs or walking
• Avoid giving in to time pressures, whenever possible, if they are causing you to use unsafe behaviour. Find suitable alternatives, or talk to your supervisor.
Use/Wear Proper Equipment
• Make sure your footwear has good treads and is appropriate for the weather/task
• If you have been provided with safety footwear, wear it for the tasks required, as instructed, and as required under the policy of the workplace you are visiting
• Use handrails on stairs whenever possible, to avoid falls (so you can catch yourself if you slip). Report defective stairs or slippery steps to your Supervisor or building management.
• Use assistive devices to safely transport items, ask for assistance, or take the time to make more than one trip
Use/Wear Proper Equipment
• Only use ladders if you have proper training, and the ladder is not defective
• Use proper footstools to access high shelves, instead of other devices not intended for that use
• Do not climb shelves or racking
• Don’t put frequently needed items up high
• Ensure freshly mopped floors have posted caution signs
Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• Always inspect your vehicle and surrounding area
before entering or exiting the vehicle
Survey the environment for items such as ice, snow, grease, oil, debris, rocks, potholes, uneven surfaces
Survey the vehicle for cracks or excessive wear to the access points such as steps, handholds, etc.
When possible remove ice, snow, or other debris from steps, handholds, and footwear before entering or exiting
Ensure vehicle clutter is removed and equipment secured to avoid trip hazards when entering or exiting
• Whenever possible park the vehicle in an area free of the above slip/trip/fall hazards
• Check the area for traffic before entering or exiting the vehicle
Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• When climbing in or out of a vehicle, face the vehicle where practicable and always use the three point contact rule. Keep three points in contact with the vehicle; either one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot.
• Use the access steps, footholds, handholds, and rails provided on the vehicle to support you when entering and exiting.
Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• Never jump down from a vehicle, but exit slowly using the
three point contact method• When entering or exiting cars or pick-up trucks, hold on to the
door or steering wheel to help maintain your balance• Watch your head clearance when entering or exiting vehicles• Step with caution (on the mid-foot) in icy conditions• Load or unload a vehicle in a manner that does not obstruct
your vision, and utilize assistance of others, or assistive devices as required
• Check the treads on your footwear regularly and replace as needed
• Report to your supervisor any vehicle or related hazards you are unable to resolve yourself
Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Policy
Click here for City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and Falls
Prevention Policy and Toolkit
The City’s policy identifies a commitment to:•identifying factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls in City workplaces •taking reasonable precautions to prevent introduction of slip, trip and fall hazards into City workplaces and to eliminate/reduce slips, trips and fall hazards where they are identified •educating staff on measures that will reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls
The City’s policy identifies the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties.
City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Toolkit
Click here for City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention Toolkit
The toolkit is continually evolving. Below are examples of items already in the toolkit:
Tips for Safely Entering or Exiting Vehicles
Winter Safety Tips - Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips and Trips Hazards Checklist
Additional Training Opportunities
• Other City Training courses regarding Ladder Safety, Fall Protection, and Scaffolding Safety
http://insideto.toronto.ca/hrweb/health_and_safety/clusters.htm
Review
1. There are regulations concerning guard rails, fall protection, and ladders
2. What are some common causes of slips/trips/falls?water, oil, ice, snow, uncovered cables, worn carpet (and other items on slide 7)
3. If I have to carry a lot of materials that obstruct my vision, are too heavy, or require me to go up or down stairs, I can:ask for helpbreak up the loaduse an assistive device
4. Most slips occur at the ____ phase of gait.heel
Review5. Name one way to avoid falling on stairs.
hold the railing
6. Ensure freshly mopped floors have posted caution signs
7. Use a _________to access high shelves when necessary.footstool
8. What is Regulation 851, Section 11?requires floors and other surfaces used by any worker, to be kept free of obstructions, hazards and accumulations of refuse, snow, or ice
9. Name two ways you can avoid falling on ice.proper footwear with good treads, alter your gait, walk slowly, take an alternate path, choose sanded cleared pathways…
Review
10. What contact method should be used when exiting or entering vehicles, or when climbing ladders?three point contact
11. What do you do if you see a slip/trip/fall hazard you can’t fix yourself?report it to your supervisor
Acknowledgements
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations and Ministry of Labour
• Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board• WorkSafe BC• Toronto Emergency Medical Services• Toronto Public Health• City of Toronto OHSCC Slips/Trips/Falls
Prevention Workgroup
