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Slip trip and falls

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Toolbox Talk: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to educate participants on the common causes of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace and to provide practical measures to prevent these incidents. By the end of this session, participants should be able to identify potential hazards and implement effective control measures to ensure a safer working environment.

Introduction

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries. They can occur in any work environment and often result in serious injuries. Maintaining a safe workplace requires vigilance and proactive measures to eliminate hazards.

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to slips, trips, or falls.

Key Points

  • Housekeeping: Keep work areas clean and free of clutter to prevent tripping hazards. Regularly remove waste and debris from walkways and work areas [1].
  • Surface Conditions: Ensure that floors are kept dry and clean. Use mats or grating in areas prone to wet conditions to prevent slipping [2].
  • Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting in all work areas to help employees see potential hazards and navigate safely.
  • Footwear: Wear appropriate non-slip footwear, especially in areas where floors may be wet or oily [3].
  • Signage: Use warning signs to alert employees to potential hazards such as wet floors or uneven surfaces.

Hazard Identification

Common hazards related to slips, trips, and falls include:

  • Wet or Oily Surfaces: Can lead to slips if not properly managed with mats or drainage systems [2].
  • Cluttered Walkways: Items left in walkways can cause trips and falls [1].
  • Uneven Surfaces: Changes in floor level or damaged flooring can lead to trips [3].

Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.

Control Measures

Discuss the hierarchy of controls:

  • Elimination: Remove hazards where possible, such as fixing uneven surfaces or leaks.
  • Engineering Controls: Install non-slip flooring or mats in high-risk areas [2].
  • Administrative Controls: Implement regular cleaning schedules and maintenance checks [1].
  • PPE: Ensure employees wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips [3].

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Conduct regular inspections of work areas to identify and address hazards.
  2. Clean up spills immediately and place warning signs until the area is dry.
  3. Keep walkways clear of obstacles and clutter.
  4. Ensure all employees are trained on the importance of maintaining a tidy work environment.
  5. Report any hazards or incidents to a supervisor immediately.

Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Non-Slip Footwear: Essential in areas with wet or oily floors. Ensure proper fit and maintenance [3].

[Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance]

Real-World Example or Case Study

Discuss a recent incident where a slip, trip, or fall occurred in the workplace. Analyze what went wrong and what measures could have prevented the incident.

Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

  1. What are some common areas in our workplace where slips, trips, and falls are likely to occur?
  2. How can we improve our current practices to prevent these incidents?
  3. What additional resources or support do we need to enhance safety?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

Outline the steps to take in case of an emergency related to slips, trips, and falls:

  1. Assess the situation and ensure the area is safe.
  2. Provide first aid if necessary and call for medical assistance.
  3. Report the incident to a supervisor.
  4. Document the incident and review procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Questions and Answers

Encourage participants to ask questions and provide answers to common questions related to the topic.

  • Q: What should I do if I see a spill on the floor?

A: Clean it up immediately or place a warning sign and report it to maintenance.

  • Q: How often should walkways be inspected?

A: Regularly, as part of daily safety checks.

Summary

Recap the main points covered in the toolbox talk:

  • Importance of maintaining clean and dry work areas.
  • Use of appropriate PPE and footwear.
  • Regular inspections and prompt hazard reporting.
  • Implementation of effective control measures.

Action Items

List specific actions participants should take following this toolbox talk:

  1. Conduct a walk-through of your work area to identify potential hazards.
  2. Ensure your footwear is appropriate for your work environment.
  3. Report any hazards or unsafe conditions immediately.

Remember: Safety is everyone's responsibility. Stay alert and report hazards immediately.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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3 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

Page 29

Open source document

Source excerpt

Sections 2.12-2.16 - (2) Every guardrail shall be designed to withstand a static load of 890 N applied in any direction at any point on the top rail. SOR/94-263, s. 8(F); SOR/2000-374, s. 2. ## Toe Boards - 2.13 If there is a risk that tools or other objects could fall onto a person from a platform or other raised area, or through a floor opening or floor hole, - (a) a toe board that extends from the floor of the platform or other raised area to a height of not less than 125 mm shall be installed; or - (b) if the tools or other objects are piled to such a height that a toe board would not prevent the tools or other objects from falling, a solid or mesh panel shall be installed from the floor to a height of not less than 450 mm. SOR/2000-374, s. 2; SOR/2019-246, s. 9. ## Housekeeping and Maintenance - 2.14 (1) Every exterior stairway, walkway, ramp and passageway that may be used by employees shall be kept free of accumulations of ice and snow or other slipping or tripping hazards. - (2) All dust, dirt, waste and scrap material in every work place in a building shall be removed as often as is necessary to protect the health and safety of employees and shall be disposed of in such a manner that the health and safety of employees is not endangered. - (3) Every travelled surface in a work place shall be - (a) slip resistant; and - (b) kept free of splinters, holes, loose boards and tiles and similar defects. SOR/2000-374, s. 2; SOR/2002-208, s. 6. - 2.15 Where a floor in a work place is normally wet and employees in the work place do not use non-slip waterproof footwear, the floor shall be covered with a dry false floor or platform or treated with a non-slip material or substance. SOR/88-632, s. 5(F); SOR/96-525, s. 8; SOR/2000-374, s. 2. - 2.16 (1) The cleaning of a window on any level above the ground floor level of a building the construction of Articles 2.12-2.16 - (2) Tout garde-fou doit ê…

[2] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

Page 351

Open source document

Source excerpt

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Ship stair (ship ladder) . A stairway that is equipped with treads, stair rails, and open risers, and has a slope that is between 50 and 70 degrees from the horizontal. Spiral stairs . A series of treads attached to a vertical pole in a winding fashion, usually within a cylindrical space. Stair platform . An extended step or landing breaking a continuous run of stairs. Stair rail or stair rail system . A barrier erected along the exposed or open side of stairways to prevent employees from falling to a lower level. Stairway (stairs) . Risers and treads that connect one level with another, and includes any landings and platforms in between those levels. Stairways include standard, spiral, alternating tread-type, and ship stairs. Standard stairs . A fixed or permanently installed stairway. Ship, spiral, and alternating treadtype stairs are not considered standard stairs. Tread . A horizontal member of a stair or stairway, but does not include landings or platforms. Unprotected sides and edges . Mean any side or edge of a walking-working surface (except at entrances and other points of access) where there is no wall, guardrail system, or stair rail system to protect an employee from falling to a lower level. For requirements relating to unprotected sides and edges, see the unified fall protection rule (chapter 296-880 WAC). Walking-working surface . Any surface, whether horizontal or vertical on which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location. Walking-working surfaces include, but are not limited to, floors, the ground, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, stairs, dockboards, formwork and concrete reinforcing steel. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 20-12-091 (Order 19-05) § 296-24-[r…

[3] Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)

Page 75

Open source document

Source excerpt

reason except for weather or climatic conditions, an employer shall ensure that devices such as matting or grating are used, where necessary, to prevent slipping and, if such devices are inadequate to prevent slipping, that non-slip footwear is worn by employees. Subsection 139(2) amended: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. - (3) Where a floor, stairway, passageway or similar walking surface at or near a workplace becomes slippery as a result of weather or climatic conditions, an employer shall ensure that the floor, stairway, passageway or similar walking surface is kept free from falling or slipping hazards by removing ice, snow or water, to the extent reasonably practicable, and using materials such as ashes, sand, salt, or other measures where appropriate to prevent slipping or falling. ## Access and exit - 140 (1) An employer shall provide a safe means of access to and exit from all work areas. - (2) An employer shall provide adequate information to ensure that every person in the workplace is able to exit the workplace in a safe manner in the event of an emergency. - (3) An employer shall provide overhead protection at every means of access to and exit from a building, structure or project where there is a hazard of falling material that may injure a person at or near the workplace. - (4) This Section does not apply where a firefighter is engaged in structural firefighting or rescue. Subsection 140(4) amended: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. ## Stairways 141 - (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), an employer shall ensure that a permanent stairway is designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada , as adopted and modified under the Building Code Act and the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations made under that Act . - (2) Where the National Building Code of Canada , as adopted and modified under the Building Code Act and the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations made under that Act does not apply to …

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