Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

Slips, trips and falls happen often and are the second leading cause of personal injury; the first is automobile accidents. Such accidents result in everything from minor injuries such as sprained ankles to disabling, paralyzing injuries and even death. Many things can contribute to slips, trips or falls, but the majority of them are preventable.

Slips

• Slips occur when there is not enough friction between the floor and a person's feet. Factors such as the presence of oil, water, cleaning agents or other slick substances spilled on the floor and not cleaned up properly cause slips. They can also occur if a person is wearing improper shoes without a slip-resistant sole. To avoid slips, clean up spills immediately or try to prevent them in the first place. Avoid areas where there may be patches of ice or oily substances on outside walking surfaces.

Trips

• Trips happen when a person's foot makes contact with an object that throws him off balance. Other causes include uneven walking surfaces; improper lighting; and bunched carpeting. To prevent tripping, watch where you are walking, don't drag your feet, fix bunched carpeting, make sure areas have proper lighting and keep walkways clear. It is easy to implement these actions, but they do require diligence.

Falls

• Falls occur as a result of trips and slips, but they can also happen for other reasons. Improper use of a ladder, climbing objects without fall-protection equipment, improper use of scaffolding and damaged stairs or hand railings can all possibly contribute to the likelihood of falls. Falls can result in serious injury, especially when the person falls from an elevated surface.

Slips, Trips and Falls Away From Home

• These types of accidents not only occur in the home, but are also common at work or school. To prevent injuries from such accidents, follow the same prevention guidelines, but also educate employees and students about prevention. Take simple steps such as coiling phone lines or other cords out the way, cleaning up spills right away, putting salt or sand on sidewalks, using caution signs, and reporting any hazards to the appropriate person immediately.