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Slips, Trips, & Falls

FACTS

The NSC (National Safety Council) indicates that slips and falls are the single most common reason for an emergency room visit. The most frequent types of injuries to occur from a slip, trip or fall is injury to the back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and/or knee. In general, joint injuries tend to be most common. Per the DOL (U.S. Department of Labor), an average slip and fall injury costs roughly $28,000, which in turn puts financial strain on both individuals as well as companies where such an injury can occur. Slips and falls are the third largest cause of workplace injuries. Within North America, slips and falls lead to approximately 104 million lost workdays each year and in-turn end up costing approximately $36 billion dollars each year.

REGULATIONS

The two primary regulatory standards that apply to slips, trips, and fall are OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces and the ANSI A1264.2-2006 Provision for the Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces.

Causes of slips, trips and falls vary considerably and can include one or more of the following:

• Walkway surface substances & spills; eg. oil, water, and/or other liquid surface contamination.
• Lack of training and/or knowledge about slips/trips & falls.
• Mats or rugs which become unanchored or loose.
• Weather related items like rain, snow and/or ice.
• Use of inappropriate footwear.
• Walkway surfaces that are in disrepair.
• Sheen/smooth walkway surfaces that do not allow for adequate footwear-traction

Believe it or not, approximately 70 percent of slips, trips, and falls occur on level walking surfaces. Training employees on methods to prevent, as well as awareness of slip, trip, and fall hazards is essential to reducing the likeliness of becoming a statistic. Once trained and made aware, common sense also plays an important role in preventing slips, trips, and falls.

PREVENTION

OSHA indicates some very good floor safety recommendations, some of which include:

• Keep floor surfaces clean and dry.
• Ensure wet-floor warning signs are posted in and around wet floor locations as well as providing and maintaining adequate drainage.
• Maintain clear aisles and passageways and prevent obstructions
• Ensure walkway surfaces are in good repair.
• Provide floor plugs for power equipment to ensure power cords are not run across walkway paths.
• Report and clean up spills immediately.
• Provide non-slip coatings or surfaces in slippery locations.
• Minimize carpet and matting trip hazards.
• Use prudent housekeeping procedures and provide adequate lighting in poorly lit areas such as halls and stairwells.
• Maintain and eliminate uneven floor surfaces.

Links:

1. 144041 Preventing Slips & Trips Training Materials
2. 122862 Skid-Resistant Shoe Covers
3. 16803 Nonskid Tape
4. 127978 Anti-Slip Floor Coating
5. Matting product offerings

Commonly Asked Questions

Sources for More Information

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lost-Worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time away from Work, 2007.

Estimating the Cost of Unintentional Injuries, 2007. National Safety Council Web site

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Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.