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Preventing slips, trips 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 strategies 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 work 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 clean and orderly workplace is crucial in preventing these incidents. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Code, employers must ensure that work sites are kept clean and free from materials or equipment that could cause workers to slip or trip [1].

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

Key Points

  • Housekeeping: Regularly clean and organize work areas to prevent clutter that can lead to trips and falls [1].
  • Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting in all work areas to help workers see potential hazards [1].
  • Surface Conditions: Keep floors dry and free of hazards such as spills, ice, and snow [2].
  • Proper Footwear: Encourage the use of non-slip footwear, especially in areas prone to wet conditions [3].
  • Use of Handrails: Always use handrails when ascending or descending stairs to prevent falls [4].

Hazard Identification

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

  • Wet or Oily Surfaces: Can lead to slips and falls, especially if not cleaned promptly [2].
  • Cluttered Walkways: Items left in walkways can cause trips and falls [1].
  • Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can prevent workers from seeing hazards [1].

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 cleaning spills immediately [2].
  • Engineering Controls: Install non-slip flooring or mats in areas prone to wet conditions [3].
  • Administrative Controls: Implement regular housekeeping schedules and safety inspections [1].
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriate footwear to prevent slips [3].

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Conduct regular inspections of work areas.
  2. Clean up spills immediately.
  3. Ensure all walkways are clear of obstructions.
  4. Use signage to warn of wet floors.
  5. Report any lighting issues promptly.

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

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Non-Slip Footwear: Use in areas with wet or oily surfaces [3].
  • Gloves: When handling slippery materials.
  • Safety Helmets: In areas where falling objects are a risk.

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 due to poor housekeeping. Highlight what went wrong and the corrective actions taken.

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 causes of slips, trips, and falls in your work area?
  2. How can we improve housekeeping practices?
  3. What additional measures can we take to prevent these incidents?

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. Secure the area to prevent further incidents.
  2. Provide first aid to the injured person.
  3. Report the incident to a supervisor.
  4. Investigate the cause and implement corrective actions.

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?

A: Clean it immediately or report it to maintenance.

  • Q: How often should walkways be inspected?

A: Regularly, as part of daily housekeeping routines.

  • Q: What if I don't have non-slip footwear?

A: Speak to your supervisor about obtaining the appropriate PPE.

Summary

Recap the main points covered in the toolbox talk:

  • Importance of housekeeping and clean work areas.
  • Ensuring adequate lighting and clear walkways.
  • Using proper PPE to prevent slips and falls.
  • Reporting hazards and incidents promptly.

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. Implement a regular cleaning schedule.
  3. Ensure all employees have the appropriate PPE.

Remember: Safety starts with you. Keep your work area clean and report hazards immediately.

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

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4 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] Occupational Health and Safety Code

Page 123

Open source document

Source excerpt

## Part 12 General Safety Precautions ## Housekeeping 185 An employer must ensure that a work site is kept clean and free from materials or equipment that could cause workers to slip or trip. ## Lighting 186 (1) An employer must ensure that lighting at a work site is sufficient to enable work to be done safely. 186 (2) An employer must ensure that a light source above a working or walking surface is protected against damage. - 186 (3) An employer must ensure that there is emergency lighting at a work site if workers are in danger if the normal lighting system fails. - 186 (4) Emergency lighting must generate enough light so that workers can - (a) leave the work site safely, - (b) start the necessary emergency shut-down procedures, and - (c) restore normal lighting. ## Pallets and storage racks 187 (1) An employer must ensure that pallets used to transport or store materials or containers are loaded, moved, stacked, arranged and stored in a manner that does not create a danger to workers. - 187 (2) An employer must ensure that racks used to store materials or equipment - (a) are designed, constructed and maintained to support the load placed on them, and - (b) are placed on firm foundations that can support the load. - 187 (3) A worker must report any damage to a storage rack to an employer as quickly as practicable. - 187 (4) The employer and the workers at a work site must take all reasonable steps to prevent storage racks from being damaged to the extent that their integrity as structures is compromised. ## Placement of roofing materials - 187.1 (1) An employer must ensure that supplies and roofing materials stored on the roof of a residential building under construction are located not less than 2 metres from a roof edge. - 187.1 (2) An employer must ensure that the weight of supplies and roofing materials referred to in subsection (1) is uniformly distributed.

[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 …

[4] 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…

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