Captain Clyde's Safety Pin #2: Gaurd Against Slips, Trips, and Falls

Today's Safety Sunday tip is: Guard against SLIPS, TRIPS, and FALLS

Not only do slips, trips, and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year, but they also cause many dangerous workplace accidents.

Slips are a loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface where you walk or work. Loss of traction is the leading cause of workplace slips. Trips occur whenever your foot hits an object, and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance. Falls occur whenever you move too far off your center of balance. Falls account for more workplace fatalities than any other cause.

A slip, trip or fall can end in death or disability in a split second, but with a few simple precautions, you can be sure to stay safe and healthy at work or home:

• Always practice good housekeeping. Don't leave loose objects on walking or working surfaces.

• Never leave water or oil spills unattended. If the spills can't be cleaned up immediately, set up a barrier to signify the hazard.

• Never allow an object to sit on stairways or ramps. Cartons, boxes, and other obstacles are especially dangerous here.

• Always use a ladder or step-stool. Never stand on a chair, desk, shelf, crate, or box or any other unstable items to reach something. If you must routinely reach items in high locations, purchase a ladder or step stool to safely complete the task. Before each use, every ladder and step stool should be inspected to make sure safety feet are present, and there are no damages. Ladder safety training is required if you must use a ladder or for step-stools higher than 32 inches.

• Report or repair loose or damaged handrails, stairway treads, mats, and walkway runners.

• Wear proper footwear that is appropriate for both conditions inside and outside. On smooth or wet surfaces, always wear shoes with slip-resistant soles.

• Ensure proper lighting— report burned-out lights and walkways and work areas that are too dark.

• When walking, don't carry loads that block your vision. If you can't see where you are going, a trip or fall is inevitable.

• Post signs to warn of dangerous areas. For example, paint edges with yellow paint where elevation change occurs to alert employees.

• Use hand or safety rails on stairways. It's the best way to keep your balance.

• Report any floor openings that are not protected. These openings can cause severe falls.

• Keep away from the edge of unprotected floors/roofs that are elevated. If you lose your balance while working close to the edge, gravity is always going to win!

• Exercise caution when rising, sitting or reaching from a rolling task chair or stool. Always sit up straight and have hips far back on the seat. Do not sit on the edge of the seat. Always grasp the seat or arms while attempting to sit or rise. Inspect the chair regularly for wear and tear or damages. Five-legged chairs and stools are much more stable than four-legged chairs and stools.

• Use soft-wheeled castors on hard flooring surfaces (i.e., tile) and hard-wheeled castors on soft flooring surfaces (i.e., carpet). Watch for imperfections in the flooring, such as damaged chair mats, floor tiles, or ripped carpet that may cause imbalance and falls from rolling task chairs or stools.

Millions of people are treated in emergency rooms for slips, trips, and fall-related injuries every year. Be anchored to safety, Guard against SLIPS, TRIPS, and FALLS.