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# Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls (cont.) ## Trips (cont.) - poor lighting - clutter in your way - wrinkled carpeting - uncovered cables - bottom drawers not being closed - uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces ## How to prevent falls due to slips and trips? Both slips and trips result from unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface. This fact shows that good housekeeping, quality of walking surfaces (flooring), selection of proper footwear, and appropriate pace of walking are critical for preventing fall incidents. ## Housekeeping Good housekeeping is the first and the most important (fundamental) level of preventing falls due to slips and trips. It includes: - cleaning all spills immediately - marking spills and wet areas - mopping or sweeping debris from floors removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping walkways free of clutter - securing (tacking, taping, etc.) mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat - always closing file cabinet or storage drawers - covering cables that cross walkways - keeping working areas and walkways well lit - replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches Without good housekeeping practices, any other preventive measures such as installation of sophisticated flooring, specialty footwear or training on techniques of walking and safe falling will never be fully effective. For more information about effective housekeeping, visit the OSH Answers document on Workplace Housekeeping - Basic Guide. Flooring Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls CCOHS

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CCOHSOCCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Safety Hazards # Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls ## On this page How do falls happen? How to prevent falls due to slips and trips? What can you do to avoid falling at work? ## How do falls happen? Statistics show that the majority (67%) of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. The remaining 30% are falls from a height. This document will summarize information on "falls on the same level" (slips and trips). Falls from an elevation, such as falls from ladders, roofs, down stairs or from jumping to a lower level, etc., is discussed in other documents since each type of fall must be assessed as part of a fall prevention program. ## Slips Slips happen where there is too little friction or traction between the footwear and the walking surface. Common causes of slips are: - wet or oily surfaces - occasional spills - weather hazards - loose, unanchored rugs or mats - flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all areas ## Trips Trips happen when your foot collides (strikes, hits) an object causing you to lose balance and, eventually fall. Common causes of tripping are: obstructed view Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls CCOHS

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Safety Hazards # Parking Lots - Fall Prevention ## On this page Do parking lots pose special hazards? What factors contribute to fall incidents in a parking lot? Are speed bumps a fall hazard? Are tire stops hazardous? How can you prevent falls? What does good housekeeping mean in terms of parking lots? What responsibilities do workers have? ## Do parking lots pose special hazards? Parking lots are a part of many workplaces. Even though you may not be conducting your job there (unless you are a parking attendant or maintenance worker), there is still a possibility that you can be injured. Besides the risk of violence, the major risk includes falls resulting from slips and trips. Workplaces can help reduce slip, trip, and fall injuries by having a written policy or procedure about the safe walking conditions and surfaces. Parking lots should be inspected on a regular basis and any defects repaired. ## What factors contribute to fall incidents in a parking lot? A smooth, even, flat surface is ideal for walking because it reduces the likelihood of twisted ankles or loss of balance which can lead to falls and other painful mishaps. However, heavy use by both pedestrians and vehicle traffic both cause a parking surface to deteriorate. Figure 1 shows examples of damage to look for such as broken pavement, and gratings. Parking Lots - Fall Prevention CCOHS

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# Footwear - Assessment Checklist (cont.) ## Is there a difference between a dress code and safety requirements? (cont.) <table><tr><th>Hazard</th><th>Is this an issue for the workplace/ specific job or task? (Yes I No)</th><th>Is the worker protected by the style of footwear under review? (Yes I No)</th></tr><tr><td>Is there a risk of punctures, cuts, lacerations, needlesticks, falling objects, or other crush injuries?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there a need for a closed toe (vs. open toe)?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there need for additional protection such as an internal steel toecap? (recommended for persons lifting or carrying objects or heavy loads)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there need for metatarsal protection (top side of the foot)?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there need for a protective sole (puncture resistance for the bottom of the foot)?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there need for specialized footwear (e.g., protection from chainsaws)?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Slips, trips and falls (does the footwear contribute to this risk?)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is the sole made of appropriate anti-slip material for the flooring or walking surfaces?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is there a risk of the soles quickly becoming dirty or worn out which reduces the slip-resistance?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Is the shoe secure on the foot (e.g., are</td><td></td><td></td></tr></table> Footwear - Assessment Checklist CCOHS

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# Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls (cont.) ## Housekeeping (cont.) Changing or modifying walking surfaces is the next level of preventing slip and trips. Recoating or replacing floors, installing mats, pressure-sensitive abrasive strips or abrasive- filled paint-on coating and metal or synthetic decking can further improve safety and reduce the risk of falling. However, it is critical to remember that high-tech flooring requires good housekeeping as much as any other flooring. In addition, resilient, non-slippery flooring prevents or reduces foot fatigue and contributes to slip-prevention measures. ## Footwear In workplaces where floors may be oily or wet or where workers spend considerable time outdoors, prevention of fall incidents should focus on selecting proper footwear. Since there is no footwear with anti-slip properties for every condition, consultation with manufacturers is highly recommended. Properly fitting footwear increases comfort and prevents fatigue which, in turn, improves safety for the employee. For more information on footwear visit the OSH Answers document on Safety Footwear. ## What can you do to avoid falling at work? You can reduce the risk of slipping on wet flooring by: - taking your time and paying attention to where you are going - adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing - walking with the feet pointed slightly outward - making wide turns at corners ## You can reduce the risk of tripping by: - keeping walking areas clear from clutter or obstructions - keeping flooring in good condition - always using installed light sources that provide sufficient light for your tasks - using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light - making sure that things you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc. Fact sheet last revised: 2023-03-28 Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls CCOHS