Transcript Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Public Entities

Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for
Public Entities
Myra S. Forrest, ARM, CSP
Fall 2007
National Statistics
General Industry
• #3 leading cause of fatal injury on the job
• Over 12,000 deaths occur each year
• 23% more deaths in 1999 than 1989
• Approximately 300,000 non fatal slip/trip/falls
occur on the job each year
• Representing 19% of all disabling injuries
Major Costs of Loss
To worker:
• Pain
• Lost wages
• Temporary or
permanent disability
• Reduced quality of life
• Depression
To employer:
• Loss of productivity
and business
• Increased insurance
premiums
• Cost of rehiring or
retraining employees
Losses within Public Entities
Workers compensation
3rd Party Liability Claims
• Sprains, strains
• Slip, trip, falls
• Bruises, contusions
• Sidewalk defects
• Fractures
• Abrasions, lacerations
MWCF Statistics
2005 Fund Year
400 claims - $3,425,169.62
2006 Fund Year
386 claims - $1,841,768.46
2007 Fund Year (6/30/07)
135 claims - $347,357.87
All claims amounts are incurred dollar amounts which include reserve and collection
amounts and comp, medical , rehab & other paid amounts.
MWCF Fall or Slip
Cause Descriptions
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From Different Level
From Ladder or Scaffolding
Into Openings
On Ice or Snow
On Same Level
Top 11 Payroll Classes
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Police Officers
Street Cleaning
Fire Fighter
Waterworks
Operations
• Garbage Collection
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Clerical Employees
Parks Landscaping
Housing Authority
Building Operations
Electric Power
Public Health Nursing
Statistics
Top 11 Payroll Classes
Fund Year
% Claim #s
% Incurred $
2005
85 %
87 %
2006
88 %
88 %
2007 (6/30/07)
93 %
89 %
MWCF
Average Claim Costs
Year
All Payroll
Classes
Top 11 Payroll
Classes
2005
$8562
$8799
2006
$4771
$4182
2007 – 7/20/07
$2573
$2467
AMIC Statistics
$2.9 million
673 incurred claims described as Slip & Falls
and Sidewalk Defects paid under the AMIC
General Liability coverage since program
inception in 1989.
Avg. Claim Amt - $4388
AMIC Statistics
$1.9 million
420 incurred claims described as Slip & Falls
and Sidewalk Defects paid under the AMIC
General Liability coverage between the years
2000 thru 7/20/2007.
Avg. Claim Amt - $4751
AMIC Statistics Summary
All Years thru
7/20/2007
19 %
2000 thru
7/20/2007
10 %
Slip/Trip/Fall
Incurred $
81 %
90 %
Sidewalk Defects
# Claims
22 %
17 %
Slip/Trip/Fall
# Claims
Avg. Claim Amt.
78 %
83 %
$4388
$4751
Sidewalk Defects
Incurred $
Definitions
Slip
Too little friction or
traction between your feet
(footwear) and the walking
or working surface, and
you lose your balance.
Trip
Foot (or lower leg) hits an
object and your upper body
continues moving, throwing
you off balance.
or
Step down unexpectedly to a lower
surface (Misstep) and lose your
balance, e.g., stepping off a curb.
Friction: The resistance encountered when
an object (foot) is moved in contact with
another (ground). Friction is necessary in
order to walk without slipping.
Fall
Occurs when you are
too far off your
center of balance.
Causation Factors
Environmental Factors
Human Factors
• Facility Design
• Maintenance
• Housekeeping
• Human Behavior
• Physical condition
Human Factors - Physical Condition
• Eyesight, visual perception
• Age
• Physical state, fatigue
• Stress, illness
• Medications, alcohol, drug
effects
Age & Medical
Related Factors
• Reduced Visual Ability – lighting, objects
on floor, warning or informational signs
• Declines in Musculoskeletal or Nervous
System – poor balance or unsteady gait,
level walk areas, handrails
• Illness, Seizures, Medications –
contributes to fatigue or drowsiness
Human Factors – Human Behavior
• Carrying or moving
cumbersome objects, or too
many objects, that
– obstruct your view
– impair your balance
– prevent you from
holding
onto handrails
Behaviors – actions you choose & control such as
work practices
Human Factors – Human Behavior
• Inattentive walking,
distractions (e.g., using cell
phone, talking and not
watching where you’re
going, etc.)
• Taking shortcuts; not using
walkways or designated,
cleared pathways
• Being in a hurry,
rushing around
Human Factors – Human Behavior
• Poor housekeeping
(clutter, floor condition)
Messy work space
Water leakage from ice
machines not mopped up;
no wet floor warning signs
• Using improper cleaning
methods/products (wax,
polish, cleaning
solutions)
• Signage when slip or trip
hazards exist
Human Factors – Human Behavior
Suitable for the work environment
Reduce traction
Taps on heels
Leather or smoothsurfaced soles
High heels
Wearing Proper Shoes
Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles or traction devices
when walking or working on surfaces that are wet, greasy,
icy, or other-wise slick.
No footwear has antislip properties for every
condition so make sure
that the proper type of
footwear is selected for
the work conditions and
for the type of flooring
or walking/working
surface.
Steel-toed safety boots
with oil-resistant soles
Slip-resistant
traction devices for
snow and ice that fit
over the soles
Wear & Care of Shoes
• Fit snugly and comfortably.
• Slip-resistant shoes/boots with good
tread.
• Clean and in good condition at all
times.
• Inspect regularly for any damage;
repair or replace worn or defective
footwear.
*Replace shoes or soles before
soles become worn smooth.
Human Factors – Human Behavior
Safe Walking Practices
• Attentiveness to surroundings,
obstructions, and walking surfaces
• Watch for changes in elevations
• Walk don’t run
• Use handrails/dollies/elevators
• Report slip/trip/fall hazards
Human Factors – Human Behavior
Falling ‘Properly’
• Roll with the fall; don’t reach
out. Let your body crumple
and roll.
• Bend your elbows and knees
and use your legs and arms to
absorb the fall.
• Get medical attention after a
fall to treat anything torn,
sprained, or broken.
Mounting/Dismounting Equipment Safely
• Clean footwear of mud, snow,
ice, grease, or any other
contamination.
• Make sure running board,
tread, step, foothold, and
platform of equipment are
also clean and dry of any
contamination.
• Always face equipment when
mounting and dismounting.
• Have a good hand-hold before
stepping up.
• Place your foot on the step or
foothold just in front of your
heel, under the arch.
 Clean shoes
 Clean foothold and step
 Proper foot placement on
step and foothold
Three - Point Contact
Courtesy of Construction Safety Association of Ontario
• Maintain three-point contact at all times while getting
onto/off of the equipment until reaching ground, cab, or
stable platform.
Three-point contact:
– one hand, two feet
– two hands, one foot
• Do not jump off when dismounting or getting off the bed
of a truck or other part of the equipment. Step down
facing equipment
Climbing/Descending Ladders Safely
• Clean footwear of mud, etc.
• Clean and dry rungs or steps
• Proper pitch – 1 to 4 rule
• Top of ladder should extend 3’ above
landing
• Secure ladders at the top to prevent lateral
movement.
• Face the ladder at all times.
• Good hand-hold
• Maintain three-point contact.
• Do not jump off ladder
Environmental Factors
Facility Design
• Building codes
• Life Safety codes
• ADA Accessibility guidelines
Environmental Factors
Facility Design / Maintenance
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Walkway & Stairs surfaces – slip resistant
Flooring maintenance products
Carpet & rugs
Lighting
Slip resistant mats – wet locations – transitions
from interior to exterior of building
• Floor elevation changes – transition plates
Environmental Factors
Other Potential Hazards
• Uneven surfaces (holes, cracks, changes in
elevation,etc.)
• Protruding objects (nails, bolts, etc.)
• Carpet (rolled edges, holes, tears, etc.)
• Elevators not stopping level with floor
• Openings (trenches, skylights, manhole)
Environmental Factors – Workplace Design
• Contain work processes to prevent discharge, splatter,
or spillage of liquids, oils, particles, dusts, etc. onto
floor.
– local exhaust ventilation
– extraction/collection
systems
– enclosures
– work surfaces with raised
or lipped edges
– catch/drip pans, drain offs
Environmental Factors - Workplace
Design
• Proper ventilation to
avoid smoke, steam,
and condensation of
water and grease onto
floor.
• Adequate lighting to
keep work areas,
aisles, and paths of
travel well lit.
Environmental Factors
Workplace Design
• Mark/highlight step
edges and transition
areas (changes in
elevations). Use antiskid paint.
Step edges are highlighted for
better visibility to prevent a
misstep and fall down the stairs.
• Make sure stairs
have sufficient
lighting and hand
rails.
Confusing the bottom
step with the floor is a
common occurrence
when it’s not marked.
Environmental Factors
Workplace Design
• Provide effective
drainage, false
floors, or platforms.
• Install slip-resistant
floors in high risk
areas (e.g.
entrances, kitchens,
etc.).
This entrance area’s slip-resistant
flooring also allows for drainage of
excess water.
Environmental Factors
Workplace Design
• Apply slip-resistant coating, treatment, strips, etc.
Slip-resistant
strips on steps
Skid-resistant coating on ramp. Note
highlighted edges for better visibility
to prevent walking off ramp and
falling.
Environmental Factors Workplace Design
• Use slip-/skid- resistant matting.
Skid-resistant, anti-fatigue mats in kitchen and food preparation areas.
Environmental Factors
Workplace Design
• Highlight or mark slip
and trip hazards for
better visibility.
Wheelchair accessible curb
leading to building entrance is
highlighted and the surface is
dimpled for better visibility and
traction.
Environmental Factors – Maintenance &
Housekeeping
• Keep walkways, aisles,
and stairs clear of
materials, equipment, and
other hazards.
• Cover or secure (or
suspend overhead on
construction sites) cables,
cords, wires, and hoses
away from walkways and
other paths of travel.
• Make sure rugs or mats
are flat and not bunched
up.
Pathway is clearly marked and
free of obstructions.
Environmental Factors –
Maintenance & Housekeeping
• Securely fasten unanchored
loose rugs or mats with
skid-resistant backing and
carpet tape.
• Close desk, cabinet, and file
drawers and doors
immediately after each use.
• Keep the floor around work
spaces free of boxes,
cords, cables, materials,
and other objects.
Environmental Factors – Maintenance &
Housekeeping
• Keep floors clean and free of water,
mud, grease, debris, etc, & damage.
• Clean spills immediately. Mop or
sweep up any debris.
• Repair any damages immediately, or
replace if necessary.
• Cone or block off area until surface is
completely dry or repaired before
allowing people to walk through the
area.
Environmental Factors –
Maintenance & Housekeeping
• Clean surfaces according to
recommended schedules. Follow
cleaning and drying methods and
procedures, using appropriate cleaning
products.
• Use wet floor
signs or cones.
• Remove signs
and cones
when area is
dry.
Alabama
Sidewalks
• “Street” includes roadway, gutters, and the
sidewalks
• Sidewalk - That part of the Street intended for use by
pedestrians
• Section 11-47-190, code of Alabama imposes an
affirmative duty on a municipality to maintain streets
in a reasonably safe condition
Liability of Municipalities
• City of Florence V. Stack, 155 So. 2 d 324
(1963)
Duty and obligation to exercise ordinary
and reasonable care to keep its streets
and sidewalks in a reasonably safe
condition for travel
Responsibility &
Accountability
• Remedy such defects upon receiving
notice
• Law infers defects ought to have been
discovered and remedied within such
length of time and under such conditions
and circumstances
• Safe for ordinary travel day or night
General Duty of Municipalities
• Duty to keep sidewalks in proper
repair and safe condition
• Duty to keep public sidewalks open
for travel & free from unnecessary
obstructions
Immunity
• Governmental immunity does not defeat a
negligence claim for maintenance of public
sidewalks or walkways
What Causes Sidewalk Damage?
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Tree roots
Improper drainage
Ground settlement
Weeds
Heavy vehicles
Common Types of Claims
• Slip/trip/fall on sidewalks
• Spalled concrete, gravel, meter/manhole
covers
• Uneven brick sidewalks
• Changes in elevation
• Uncovered openings
Trends In Sidewalk Liability Claims
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Aging population more likely to fall
Aging infrastructure
Varied use of sidewalks
Increase in wheelchair curb cuts
Increase use of decorative materials
Decrease in personal responsibility
Risk Management Tools
• Planned Inspection Program
• Sidewalk Liability Improvement Program
Planned Inspection Program
• Recognition, evaluation, and control of
slip, trip, fall exposures to employees and
the public
• Housekeeping
• Maintenance
• Involvement of all departments
Planned Departmental
Inspections
WHY ?
• Safety and health of employees
• Safety and health of the public
• Legal and moral obligation
COMMON HAZARDS
• Housekeeping and
Sanitation
• Tools and Equipment
• Material Handling and
Storage
• Motorized vehicles
• Personal and
Protective Equipment
• Fire Protection
• Walking & Working
Surfaces
• Exits
DOCUMENTATION
• Development of
checklists
• Safety Hazard
Reports
• Employee Report of
Hazard
• Evidence of the
program
Sidewalk Liability
Improvement Program
• Comprehensive Written Policy
• Sidewalk Repair Ordinance – Define
financial responsibilities of homeowners
and companies
• Identify Defective Conditions – Initial
Survey & Follow up Inspections
• Corrective Action – Prioritize Replacement
and repair
• Funding approval
Sidewalk Liability Improvement
Program
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Assignment of Responsibility for Program
Training of personnel
Complaint Policy
Accident Report Procedures
Investigation Procedures
Documentation
Documentation
• Must be kept
– Computer system
– Handwritten log
• Be consistent
• Need to be able to show you met the reasonable
standard of care
• Signed and dated when work performed
• Indicate what area of municipality inspected/repaired
and what was done
• Allows you to perform problem solving analysis
Citizens’ Complaints
• Develop a written complaint policy
• Indicate who & when complaint was made
• Determine if repairs are needed
• What was the response
Procedure to be followed after complaint
• Inspect problem
• Decide if under entity’s criteria the identified area
would need repairs
• Warning device and barriers necessary to protect the
public
• Take photographs - document
Resources
Websites
AMIC/MWCF Resources
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National Floor Safety Institute
www.nfsi.org/
Video collection
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American National Standards
Institute
hwww.ansi.org/
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OSHA
www.osha.gov
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NIOSH
www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
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Center for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov
• 2.005 Slips and Falls in
Construction
• 7.042 Slippin and Trippin
• 7.043 Slips, Trips, and Falls
• 7.061 Falls
• 7.088 Preventing Slips, Trips, and
Falls
Loss Control Resources
www.amicentral.org
Can you identify what is wrong in the
following pictures?