Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace

Falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries and fatalities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Slips, trips and falls are responsible for 15% of all workplace deaths, according to OSHA, and when they aren’t fatal, 20% to 30% cause moderate or severe injury.

“Slips, trips, and falls are the leading injury causes for DART, Days Away, Restricted work activity or job Transfer,” says Kevin Klich, Director, Network Safety Officer, Team Member Health and Safety at Hackensack Meridian Health. “It doesn’t matter the industry.”

On-site safety risk assessment, education, and other measures can prevent most workplace falls.

“Make sure that your team members are aware of their environment, and they recognize and report safety hazards,” Klich says. “Promote a culture of safety.”

Common Causes of Falls

There are several common causes of workplace slips, trips, and falls, including:

• Inappropriate footwear
• Tripping hazards in walkways
• Spills or debris on the floor
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Not enough safety measures
• Ineffective safety training

Fortunately, addressing each potential cause can make falls in the workplace less likely. Here are some guidelines:

Check Footwear

Team members are more likely to slip, trip, and fall when they’re wearing inappropriate shoes at work, or if their footwear is old, with worn-out treads.

Whether or not you supply employees with footwear, be clear about the appropriate shoes for your workplace, with good traction and support. Have managers communicate about the company’s requirements, and include a clear description in the employee handbook. Periodically, have everyone inspect their shoes.

“Employers and employees have a responsibility to make sure that employee footwear is in good shape, whether or not the employer supplies the footwear,” Klich says. “If there’s a slip, trip or fall, the first thing they’ll ask the employer is, ‘Did they have the right shoes on?’”

Keep Floors and Walkways Clear

Unexpected, unsecured obstacles can become trip hazards in walkways, causing falls. Extension cords. Document boxes. Rainy-day hallway runners. Poor lighting makes obstacles harder to see, increasing the risk of falls.

Keeping walkways clear and preparing for wet weather (placing traction mats in slippery entryways) can reduce the risk of falls. Proper lighting makes it easier to see potential hazards.

Clean Up Spills and Debris

Something dropped on the floor can quickly become a slip hazard, whether liquid (water, grease) or solid (someone’s lunch, a bucket of screws). Having a spill response process in place can ensure quicker cleanups, limiting the number of people who may slip and fall.

“For small spills, have absorbent pads available for a quick response,” Klich says. “When team members see a spill, they can throw a spill pad on it, then alert facilities. The process is the most important thing.”

Address Uneven Walking Surfaces

Floors aren’t always level, even when you expect them to be. Missing floor tiles, dips and unexpected inclines may increase fall risk.

“Make it obvious when a walkway transitions to stairs, ramps or curbs,” Klich says. “Signage and handrails are important.”

Exterior spaces have unique trip hazards: Curbs. Ramps. Uneven sidewalks. Potholes. Rain, snow, and ice. Outdoor workspaces with rugged terrain, like construction sites.

“We recommend exterior environmental assessments to identify potential issues, then create a plan to fix them,” Klich says. “Provide interim solutions, including proper signage and alerting employees about the risks.”

Bolster Safety Measures

Falls can happen when there aren’t enough workplace safety resources in place.

Inspect your facility with an eye for safety, or hire someone to assess the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Are all areas well-lit? Are there handrails along all ramps and stairways? Are changes in elevation marked with paint? Do you have sticky mats in strategic areas to prevent workers from tracking debris elsewhere? Can team members access response kits or spill kits quickly?

For construction sites or similar areas, fall assessments can be crucial.

“If people work in elevated areas or they have a potential fall risk from high up, employers should be doing assessments to prevent falls,” Klich says.

Provide Safety Training

Address slips, trips, and falls when onboarding employees and again annually, so team members learn to prioritize safety. It’s fine to combine falls education with other workplace training.

“Make sure employees have an understanding of potential slip hazards, the proper footwear, spills protocols, things like that,” Klich says. “Processes should be in place to recognize and report safety hazards. It should be second-nature, embedded in the foundation of the culture.”

To learn more about our Occupational Health Services visit:

https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/hackensack-meridian-works