Slips, trips and falls make up more than a quarter of all workplace injuries in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Taking proper safety precautions can keep everyone safe and facilities in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
Slips, trips, and falls can be prevented by taking certain measures to keep work areas organized and walkways clean from debris and clutter.
- Slips happen when there is insecure footing resulting in a loss of balance.
- Trips happen when there is a loss of balance resulting from contact with an object.
- Falls happen when there is a failed or missing support. Slips and trips can lead to falls, which can happen on the same level or from one to another.
This NSC article, “Make Fall Safety a Top Priority,” focuses on hazards in the workplace as well as fall hazards at home. Risk Management and Safety (RMS) has a Tableau injury dashboard that provides a breakdown of types of injuries that occur on campus. RMS also has information on the Fall Protection Program and Slips, Trips and Falls on its website. (Hint: Be sure to click on the links as there may be information there that’s on the quiz mentioned below.)
While slips, trips and falls can often be attributed to carelessness or clumsiness, most such accidents are preventable. It is critical to frequently survey your work environment to avoid potential issues. Remember, proactive attention to hazards will ultimately help keep your employees and others safe and out of harm’s way.
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Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on June 14, 2022.