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, trips, and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year and many more injurious accidents in the workplace according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are 3 physical factors involved in slips, trips, and falls: friction, momentum, and gravity. Each one plays a role.
- Friction is the resistance between two objects
- Momentum is affected by the speed and mass of an object
- Gravity is the force exerted on an object by the Earth
Slips are a loss of balance cause by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on; loss of traction is the leading cause of workplace slips. 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 occur whenever your foot hits an object, and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance. 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.
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. Training Tips:
- Use the employee handout to explain the hazards of slips, trips, and falls with the employees.
- Review OSHA 1910.22 Walking/Working Surfaces and explain to your employees what is expected of them to prevent accidents.
- Review ways that your employees can protect themselves from slip, trip and fall hazards.
- Based upon your workplace, discuss how to right choice of shoes can help prevent slips, trips, and falls. Show new employee’s areas that might create slip, trip, or fall hazards.
To prevent..
Trips:
- 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. Store materials and supplies in the appropriate storage areas.
- Arrange furniture and office equipment so that it doesn’t interfere with walkways or pedestrian traffic in your area.
- Properly maintain walking areas, and alert appropriate authorities regarding potential maintenance related hazards.
Falls:
- Don’t jump off landings or loading docks. Use the stairs
- Repair or replace stairs or handrails that are loose or broken
- Hold the handrail on staircase
- Keep passageways and aisles clear of clutter and well lit
- Wear shoes with appropriate non-slip soles
ABOUT MCCARTHY TIRE SERVICE
Founded in 1926, McCarthy Tire Service is a family-owned and operated tire dealer headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The company has more than 70 service locations and 11 Bandag retread tire manufacturing plants along the east coast of the United States. McCarthy Tire is the 5th largest independent commercial tire dealer and one of the top 50 retail tire dealers in the country. The company offers tire sales and service; automotive mechanical services and repairs; fleet services; truck mechanical services; 24-hour commercial roadside assistance; and retread tire manufacturing. For more information, visit www.McCarthyTire.com.
SAFETY CONTACT: Russ Devens