Safety Toolbox – March 2021

Slips, trips, and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year and many more injurious accidents in the workplace according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA maintains general industry regulations on walking/working surfaces that guard against hazards including clutter, protruding objects and wet conditions. These hazards can harm everyone in a facility, regardless of title or job responsibilities

Slips can be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice or snow. Slips are more likely to occur when you hurry or run, wear the wrong kind of shoes, or don’t pay attention to where you’re walking. Trips are more likely to happen when you are in a hurry and don’t pay attention to where you’re going. Falls occur whenever you move too far off your center of balance. Falls account for more workplace fatalities than any other reason.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.22-.30 Slips, Trips and Falls

Meeting Start Question

• Does OSHA maintain general industry regulations on walking/working surfaces that guard against hazards including clutter, protruding objects and wet conditions?
• Can slip, trip and fall hazards cause harm in a facility, regardless of title or job responsibilities?

Critical Safety Points

Slips – Slips can be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice or snow. You can help avoid slips by following these safety precautions: Practice safe walking skills, take short steps on slippery surfaces to keep your center of balance under you and point your feet slightly outward, clean-up or report spills right away.

Trips – To prevent trip hazards: make sure you can see where you are walking. Don’t carry loads that you cannot see over, keep walking and working areas well lit, especially at night, keep the work place clean and tidy and store materials and supplies in the appropriate storage areas.

Falls – To avoid falls consider the following measures: don’t jump off landings or loading docks, repair or replace stairs or handrails that are loose or broken, keep passageways and aisles clear of clutter and well lit, and wear shoes with appropriate non-slip soles.

Common Injuries from Slips, Trip and Falls:

• Sprains, strains
• Bruises, contusions
• Fractures
• Abrasions, cuts

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.