Safety talk: Workplace slips, trips, and falls

In the American workplace, slip, trip, and fall accidents account for approximately 300,000 disabling injuries per year.

Slips and falls can occur anytime and anywhere. Keep these basic precautions in mind – at work and at home – to help keep you, your co-workers, and your family injury free.

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Housekeeping

• Keep walking and working surfaces dry.
• Keep walking areas free of obstructions.
• Provide proper lighting, especially in areas that go from light to dark, or vice versa.

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Behaviors

• Wear slip-resistant, well-fitting footwear.
• Clean footwear thoroughly when entering a building.
• Don’t run or change direction quickly.
• Use the appropriate equipment to carry oversized objects that obstruct your vision.
• Don’t wear sunglasses in low-light areas.
• Always use handrails.

Report all accidents, with or without injury, and any near misses to a manager. Don’t assume management knows an unsafe situation exists. It’s everyone’s responsibility to create a safe work environment.

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What ideas do you have to improve safety?

Management training

Injuries from slips, trips, and falls are one of the most frequently filed and severe types of claims submitted by Pinnacol Assurance’s policyholders. Establishing and enforcing policies that address housekeeping and behaviors can significantly reduce the number of injuries in your workplace.

Here are some policies designed to prevent slips, trips, and falls in the workplace:

• Conduct regular inspections to identify potential slip and fall hazards. Pay special attention to walking surfaces, lighting, stairways, and ladders. Correct hazards immediately.
• Provide regular safety training for all employees.
• Maintain good housekeeping.
• Provide non-skid strips or floor mats in slippery or wet areas.
• Ensure workers wear proper footwear for their work environment.
• Encourage reporting of all slips, trips, and falls, with or without injury. Identify the cause and implement corrective measures immediately.