o one wants a workplace that isn’t safe for their employees. No doubt you are already taking sensible measures to control hazards and risks. But, are you doing enough about slip, trip and fall accidents? Slips, trips and falls can happen in any workplace and may result in such injuries as sprains or strains, bruises, broken bones, back injuries, contusions, abrasions and lacerations. Frequently, the result is a disabling injury that impacts an employee’s ability to do his or her job, resulting in lost workdays and reduced productivity. Additionally, these accidents could mean a loss of productivity and business, increased insurance premiums and added costs associated with training replacement workers. DEFINITIONS Slips – Slips usually occur when there is too little friction or traction between the footwear and the walking or working surface, resulting in loss of balance. Floor surfaces require suffi cient grip to prevent slipping, especially in areas which may become wet or contaminated. Th e greater the thickness or viscosity of the contaminants, the greater the slip resistance of the fl ooring required to protect against slipping. Walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction is a common cause for slips, according to offi cials with SAIF (www.saif.com), Oregon’s not-for-profi t, state-chartered workers’ compensation insurance company. Th ese type of walking surfaces occur when the fl oor wears unevenly or transitions from one surface to another, SAIF notes. For example, from carpet to a fl oor with lower friction, such as polished marble or vinyl, or grid to smooth concrete. Floor contamination – which is anything that ends up on a fl oor – contribute to slips and falls, add the offi cials. Wet sources of contamination include water, oils, grease and soap from cleaning solutions. Dry contamination includes dusts, powders, granules, metal shavings; plastic bags and other small objects like metal nuts and bolts spilled on the fl oor. Other causes of slips: • Sloped walking surfaces. • Loose and/or unsecured rugs or mats. • Wet, muddy or greasy shoes. • Sloped, uneven or muddy terrain. • Ramps and gang planks without skid- or slipresistant surfaces • Freshly-waxed surfaces. • Mounting and dismounting vehicles and equipment. • Climbing ladders. • Loose, irregular surfaces, such as gravel. Trips – Trips occur when an individual’s foot or lower leg contacts a low object in their path – which is not easily visible or noticed, and the upper body momentum continues, resulting in loss of balance. Trips happen when stepping down to a lower surface and losing balance or due to uneven fl oors or working surfaces. As little as a 1/4” rise in a walkway can cause a person to stub their toe, resulting in a trip and fall, SAIF offi cials point out. Th e same thing can happen going up a fl ight of stairs. With only a slight diff erence in the height of subsequent steps, a person can trip and fall. Additional common causes for trips include: • Cords, hoses, cables, wires and debris in Cords, hoses, cables, wires, debris and clutter in work areas and walkways are common causes of trips. Photo from iStock Continued Page10 to prevent incidents is to develop a risk management plan. Cover Story | VehicleServicePros.com ❚ OCTOBER 2016 ❚ FLEET MAINTENANCE 9
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