Page 16 - OHS, November/December 2021

TRAINING: FALL PROTECTION
The Chill in the Air Means it is Time
to Revisit Slip and Fall Safety Training
OSHA requires slip, trip and fall hazards to be quickly identified and addressed and for employers to conduct regular and periodic inspections and maintenance.
BY HOLLY MOCKUS
With so much attention placed lately on Covid-19 vaccines, testing and prevention measures, it is easy to slip and forget the other common threats that put employees in danger. Now, however, with the cooler temperatures and changing colors in some parts of the county, we have a brisk reminder of the importance of thinking beyond the pandemic and refreshing our training programs to teach employees how to avoid slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
In addition to the slippery and icy surfaces outside our doors, manufacturers should also pay attention to dangerous conditions inside their facilities and factor that into their employee safety training programs. Slip, trip and fall accidents remain among the most common sources of work injuries and can be highly expensive for employers from a loss of productivity, lawsuits and OSHA penalties.
According to the CDC, more than one million Americans sustain injuries from slip, trip and fall incidents. More than 17,000 people die as a result of those injuries. Slip, trip and fall injuries make up 15 percent of all job-related injuries, which account for between 12 to 15 percent of all workers’ compensation expenses.
Most falls land under two categories defined by the CDC: elevated and same level. While same-level falls are more common and cause injuries more frequently, elevated falls cause more severe injuries to fewer people. More than 60 percent of all elevated falls, according to the CDC, are from a height of less than 10 feet.
OSHA frequently inspects the causes behind work-related falls to avoid future slips and on greasy or wet surfaces. However, the most prevalent issue is the presence of unprotected sides and edges where someone can fall from an elevated level. OSHA rules
16 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 www.ohsonline.com
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