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Fall Protection Safety Checklist

Falling is a danger both in and out of the workplace. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 8 percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma are caused by falling, making it a serious occupational risk. Implementing safety regulations can help avoid unnecessary trauma in the workplace, and doing the same at home can prevent children hurting themselves by falling, as well.

  1. Ladder Safety

    • The University of Notre Dame's Fall Prevention Program names ladders as a potential falling hazard. Ladder rungs should be fitted with nonslip pads, and the feet of the ladder should also be a covered in a gripping material to prevent sliding. Ladders should be placed in a secure, even-footed position. If climbing 20 feet or higher, either secure the ladder at the top or have someone hold the bottom steady. Children should not be allowed on ladders or any other high areas---even furniture is too high for an unattended infant.

    Guardrails, Gates and Openings

    • Guardrails should be in place on elevated platforms or staircases. The top guard rail of a platform should be positioned between 36 and 45 inches high, and the floor of the platform should have no openings that could cause a person to trip on or fall through the floor. Any areas that do have openings, be it in the floor or the wall, should be either sectioned off or personally supervised. Young children can be prevented from wandering into unsafe areas like staircases with plastic safety gates---install them snugly to prevent the child from knocking them down and accessing areas in which they could fall. Keep windows locked, and be mindful of anything near windows that a child may be able to climb.

    Tripping Hazards

    • Tripping over objects strewn about is a safety concern at both home and the workplace. Keep floors dry and uncluttered and avoid running extension cords and other wires across the open floor---these are easy tripping hazards. Use gripping rubber pads under rugs and mats on hardwood to prevent sliding.

    Wheels

    • The Mayo Clinic advises against leaving your child in a personal mobility device like a baby walker. These invite children too young to understand safety precautions to move freely, and can lead to disastrous results, such as falling down a set of stairs. Do not take strollers onto escalators---most escalators have warnings in place suggesting this very thing. If you can avoid taking strollers on the stairs, ride an elevator instead.

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