Falls can happen at any time, at any place. Most of the causes of falls are haste, inattentiveness or a simple disregard of hazards. People fall because the body is suddenly uncontrolled and in an unstable position. When something unexpected interrupts normal balance, the center of gravity is shifted and the body falls. These types of situations are normally the result of tripping, slipping or being pushed or struck. The best way to prevent falls is to recognize, correct and / or avoid tripping, slipping and falling hazards. “Watch your step” is good advice, and many falls could be avoided if people would do just that. More falls are the result of inattentiveness than everything else.
Dark and poorly lighted areas are an invitation for falls. Stairways and congested areas should especially be checked for proper illumination. Carrying objects that are too large or piled too high to see over or around can cause a fall. Proper handling of items will reduce the risk of a fall. Distractions also contribute to falls. Many times, we become so engaged in a conversation or cell phone talk that we fail to see a hazard, even one we know exists and we’ve been over a thousand times. Of course, poorly constructed walking surfaces can also contribute to a fall. Walking surfaces should be checked periodically to make sure they don’t pose a trip, slip and fall hazard. Good housekeeping should reduce most of the hazards; however, it is important to do more than clean. A good visual inspection can sometimes highlight problems that might be missed during the occasional cleaning process.
Fall Protection Plan
Some things to consider…
1. Slippery spots can be caused by spills, which may exist because of the nature of the job. Wearing non-skid shoes or boots and taking extra care can reduce the chance of a fall. Proper signage should be used when floors are cleaned to avoid accidents.
2. Ice and snow on sidewalks, steps, loading docks and in parking areas can contribute to a fall. Be sure of your footing before placing all of your weight on ice and snow covered surfaces.
3. Tripping hazards, debris in working and walking areas (such as various electrical and telephone cords), open file drawers, and objects in passageways and aisles can also cause a fall. Remove the hazard and you should be able to eliminate the unforeseen trip and fall.
Wet Process Guidelines
o Maintain drainage
o Provide false floors when necessary
o Use platforms, mats, or other dry standing places where needed
o Provide or require appropriate footwear
Good maintenance of walking and working surfaces is another way to prevent falls. Some areas that need special attention are:
1. Worn spots, holes, high spots, and other defects in working or walking surfaces.
2. Poorly constructed or worn steps.
3. Improperly or missing handrails on stairways and around floor or wall openings.
Where floor surfaces change, there is always a significant opportunity for a slip or trip. If carpet is not tacked down properly or there is no carpet guard, you could easily trip. A tiled surface that has a lot of wax build-up, which looks good, is another serious slip hazard. In addition to being a slip hazard, continually wet surfaces promote growth of mold, fungi, bacteria which could cause illness. Defects in the walking surface should be repaired as soon as they are noticed. Holes should be repaired or covered and well marked to identify the potential hazard.
Outdoors, there are numerous hazards: tree roots, cracked sidewalks, unseen steps, uneven surfaces, potholes in parking lots, etc. It is best to stay on the sidewalk or a paved surface, rather than the grass, which can be very slippery. Still, it is important to watch where you walk and to always be on the lookout for hazards.
It helps to wear good shoes. High heels look good in an office environment, but are not functional outdoors or in a construction area. Likewise, hard-toed safety boots afford better protection than tennis shoes or sandals for construction workers and maintenance workers. Make sure your shoes are of the proper type and are in good repair. Loose heels, long threads and worn out parts can cause a trip and fall just as easy as inattention to your surroundings.
ADDITIONAL GOOD PRACTICES
- Use no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit to create non-slip surfaces in slippery areas such as grooming bay, toilet, and shower areas
- Ensure all ladders are maintained in good condition and don’t use stools or chairs in place of ladders
- Replace or stretch carpet that has become bunched or is bulging to prevent tripping
- Use prudent housekeeping procedures such as cleaning one side of a passageway at a time in order to leave a slip free side for egress
- Halls and passageways should be wide enough for two people to pass easily
- Never clutter passageways with inventory or supplies of any kind
- Cords of any kind (computer, phone, electric) should never be laid across walkways, if this must happen temporarily, then the cord should be taped or anchored to the floor in some manner
- Do not allow clutter to build up in work areas
- Make sure all halls and especially stairwells are proper lighted at all times
- Employees should be encouraged to use the handrails when using stairs
- Walking with large animals that may suddenly shift in your arms may also be a fall hazard
Everyone is in charge of good housekeeping and preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls. With that being said, someone should be assigned certain and/or all aspects of preventing Accidents. A check sheet for the inside and outside walkways should be made specific for each facility with a monthly inspection requirement. Each check sheet should have a box for a monthly initial by each item checked.
Don’t forget our four legged friends have needs and accidents, so we should all go by, “if it drops get a mop.”