SlipsTripsFallsAbrid ged

Slide 1: 

Welcome to UNC-Charlotte Slips, Trips, and Falls Awareness Training

Objectives : 

Objectives Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls Personal Factors Hazards of Stairs Environmental Hazards Spills Office Hazards Preventive Tips

Slips ‘A loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on’ : 

Slips ‘A loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on’ Wet or Slippery Surfaces Footwear Poor Lighting Personal Factors Environmental Factors Task Factors Housekeeping Issues

TRIPS ‘A loss of balance caused by an interference between your forward motion…’ : 

TRIPS ‘A loss of balance caused by an interference between your forward motion…’ Change in Elevation Poor Lighting Footwear Personal Factors Environmental Factors Task Factors

FALLS‘Occurs when the front foot strikes an object and is suddenly stopped. The upper body is then thrown forward, and a fall occurs.’ : 

FALLS‘Occurs when the front foot strikes an object and is suddenly stopped. The upper body is then thrown forward, and a fall occurs.’ Falls are the second leading cause of fatal accidents (only after automobile accidents) And of those falls, nearly 50% occur on stairs

FALLS : 

FALLS 3 Categories of Falls Falls on the same level (high frequency--low severity) Falls on stairs (lower frequency--high severity) Falls on elevations (lower frequency--high severity)

PERSONAL BEHAVIORS : 

PERSONAL BEHAVIORS Walking too fast or running Rapid changes in direction Distractions Not watching where one is going Carrying materials which obstruct view Wearing sunglasses in low-light areas Failure to use handrails Lack of knowledge Impatience Bad habits developed from past experiences

STAIRS : 

STAIRS Whether going up or down stairs, always use the handrail Make sure stairways are well lit, with on/off switches at the top and bottom Make sure stairways are clear of any obstacles Make sure that the edge of the bottom stair is noticeable—if the stairs and floor have the same carpeting or same paint color, it may not be obvious where the stairs end. Also each leading edge of each stair is intact Painting the edge white or using adhesive caution tape will help differentiate the stairs  from the floor ·

STAIRS : 

STAIRS Don’t look back and talk to someone Keep hand free next to rail Don’t talk on phone

TRIPS and FALLS : 

TRIPS and FALLS As little as a 3/8" rise in a walkway can cause a person to "stub" his toe resulting in a trip and fall. The same thing can happen going up a flight of stairs: only a slight difference in the height of subsequent steps and a person can trip and fall. Step and Fall This occurs when the front foot lands on a surface lower than expected, such as when unexpectedly stepping off a curb in the dark. In this type of fall, the person normally falls forward. A second type of step and fall occurs when one steps forward or down, and either the inside or outside of the foot lands on an object higher than the other side. The ankle turns, and one tends to fall forward and sideways.

Environmental Factors : 

Environmental Factors Temperature and humidity                  Precipitation                Type and volume of traffic in walking area                   Walking surface                   Lighting conditions in walking area

Environmental Factors : 

Environmental Factors Too much light on a shiny floor can cause glare and stop people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs. Too little light will also prevent people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs.

Spills : 

Spills If rainwater gets onto a smooth surface inside or outside of a building, it may create a slip hazard Dripping umbrellas Liquid spills Leaking equipment Food

OFFICE HAZARDS : 

OFFICE HAZARDS Loose cords Boxes Frayed or loose carpet Floor separators Storage Chairs Open drawers Food

TASK FACTORS : 

TASK FACTORS Work being performed             Pushing or pulling objects            Shape and weight of an object carried           Change in direction while walking  Be cautious while transporting objects:                     Limit the amount of objects that you carry                     Ensure the things that you are carrying, pushing or pulling do not block your view                     Carry small loads close to your body, maintaining your center of balance                    Make sure you have a clear path to walk on before beginning tasks

OTHER HAZARDS : 

OTHER HAZARDS SMALL TWIGS OR BRANCHES ACORNS MUD OBJECT ON BOTTOM OF SHOE TRASH FOOD CHEMICALS OBJECTS IN THE BEND AROUND A CORNER UNEVEN PAVERS OR PAVEMENT

SUMMARY : 

SUMMARY LOOK AHEAD TAKE NOTE OF ANY HAZARDS BE AWARE THAT TALKING ON THE PHONE DECREASES FOCUS KEEP ARMS AND HANDS FREE USE HANDRAILS ON STAIRS

Slips Trips and Falls Video : 

Slips Trips and Falls Video