The leading cause of injuries in the workplace (and second leading cause of death in North America) are from falls.
You might think that fatal falls only happen from heights but most of these serious falls happen from slipping or tripping at the same level. This has been called “the fatal half-inch.”
Falls are common but they are easily preventable if you pay attention to where you’re walking.
Let’s take a closer look at falls:
The main causes of falling are slipping and tripping.
Slipping is when your feet lose traction and slide out from under you. Think of what it looks like when people try to walk on icy sidewalks. More common scenarios in the workplace would be water or oil spills in a walkway.
Tripping is when something catches your foot while the rest of your body keeps moving. Common scenarios include toes bumping into uneven pavement, chair or table legs sticking into walking path, bunched-up rugs, and extension cords draped across a walkway.
Fall Prevention Tips:
- Walkways and stairways must always be free and clear of clutter and obstacles. If you see a mess or a spill, clean it up right away.
- Always hold the handrails when going up or down the stairs, and never take stairs two at a time
- Repair or report broken stairs, railings, uneven floors & pavement, and loose carpeting
- Walk, don’t run
- If you must walk through slippery surfaces, take short deliberate steps
- Watch where you’re going – Be on the lookout for obstacles in the path, floor openings, spills, etc.
- Don’t walk and text
- Wear the right shoes
- Don’t leave drawers open
- Put up caution signs whenever there is a wet floor
- Be careful walking into rooms and buildings, especially during rain or snow. The floor inside could be wet and slippery.
If you fall:
- Take a tip from the martial arts masters and: Protect your head! Hitting your head on the hard ground or pavement can be deadly.
- If you feel yourself falling, try to catch your fall with your hand, roll if you can to prevent bone injuries. A common fall injury is a broken hand or wrist as a result of trying to break a fall.
- If you’ve fallen and you think you are seriously hurt, stay put until help arrives.
- Falls can be very serious but they are also very preventable. Pay attention to your surroundings, walk with caution, use the handrails, and you’ll be alright.
Until Next Time- Safety First!