FEATURE ARTICLE

Fall is the Season to Prevent Trips, Slips and Falls

Since Fall is upon us, it is a good time to talk about "falls". Do you know that falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States? Death from falls ranks second only to auto accidents.

Did you also know that most falls occur between September and March?

For a public entity, when an employee is injured on member-owned and maintained property, that translates into time off for the injured employee, lost production, and a possible workers' compensation claim. When a member of the public is injured on that same property, it could mean a lawsuit.

So, what are the best methods for preventing injuries as a result of trips, slips and falls?

Trips
Trips are most likely to occur when one's view is obstructed, there is clutter in the walkway, or the walkway is in need of repair. Please remember to:

• Use the lights in the room and do not forget to replace faulty light bulbs and switches.
• Regularly check to make sure emergency lighting is operational.
• Improve poor lighting conditions.
• Use a flashlight or other light source if entering a dark room or area.
• Free walkways of objects, debris and clutter.
• Close file cabinet and storage drawers.
• Secure carpet and rugs that do not lay flat.
• Cover cables or other trip hazards that cannot be removed from walkways.
• Inspect outdoor walkways on a regular basis and repair as necessary
• Learn to recognize trip hazards and quickly correct them.

Slips
The main causes of slips are wet surfaces as a result of ice and/or snow, or a liquid spill. Some precautions to put into practice are:

• Immediately clean up a spill. If you or someone else sees a spill, clean it up quickly.
• Slow down to keep a firm footing and your balance.
• Check your shoes. Make sure they are providing you with enough traction.
• Watch out for wet shoes on a dry floor. This will also cause slips.
• Post signs to warn of wet or slippery areas.
• Inspect outside walkways for water/ice accumulation so that extra attention may be paid to salting those areas.
• Use abrasive strips to help increase traction and replace worn abrasive strips, especially on stairs.
• Watch for weather hazards. Be diligent in preventing slips by frequently salting an icy area.
• Secure loose mats or unanchored rugs.
  

Falls
Many injuries that are caused by falls occur in and around offices. Please remember to:

• Address weather hazards quickly. Keep in mind that wet leaves can be slippery and ice patches can exist beneath snow.
• Take time to obtain the right equipment for a job and use it properly.
• Check your stepladders and extension ladders thoroughly. Make sure there are no broken rungs and the ladder is secured properly when it is used.
• Evaluate the flooring. Installing mats, recoating floors, adding abrasive strips or abrasive coating should be considered.
• For employees, selecting proper footwear is essential. There is no footwear with anti-slip properties for every condition; therefore, consultation with footwear manufacturers is highly recommended.
• As stated above, regularly inspect outdoor walking pathways for both trip and slip hazards.

Public entities must be continually diligent about safety practices for everyone. Both trips and slips result from some kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface. Good housekeeping, regular inspections, quality of both indoor and outdoor walking surfaces (flooring and concrete), adequate lighting, and selection of proper footwear are critical in preventing accidents. Invest in the future, be safety-minded today.

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