Page 34 - OHS, April/May 2024

FACILITY SAFETY
Tackling Slips,Trips and Falls
Some of the most common workplace injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls. How do safety managers identify their causes and implement effective solutions?
BY DAN ANKNEY
Employee safety is one of the most important aspects of any workplace, yet every facility experiences slips, trips and falls. Being able to identify possible hazards can improve employee safety, reduce the chance of costly fines and pre-
vent downtime due to injury.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the most
common workplace injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls1. In fact, these workplace injuries are the third most common behind overexertion and contact with objects and equipment. Since this is one of the most common paths to injury, it’s no surprise that OSHA has a dedicated standard to help prevent such incidents. The OSHA 1910.22 general requirements for walking-working surfaces address the hazards associated with slips, trips, and falls.
OSHA’s definition of a walking-working surface is “any hori- zontal or vertical surface on or through which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location.” OSHA regulations require that these surfaces:
■ Must be clean — 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.
■ Must be dry — 1910.22(a)(2): The floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condi- tion. When wet processes are used, drainage must be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats must be provided.
■ Must be free of foreign hazards — 1910.22(a)(3): walking- working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.
While these are some of the most important regulations for walking-working surfaces, OSHA has more in-depth directives,
too. It’s important for you and your employees to be familiar with these regulations to help stay in compliance and reduce the likeli- hood of a slip, trip, and fall.
Identifying causes of slips, trips and falls
Unlike most industrial injuries, slips, trips, and falls can happen to any employee, visitor, or contractor at your facility. Identifying hazards is sometimes difficult because they can occur at any lo- cation and come from many sources. It’s important to inspect all areas of a facility, both indoors and outdoors, on a regular basis. It’s also a requirement by OSHA 1910.22(d)(1) which states, “Walk- ing-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition.”
One of the keys to addressing slip, trip, and fall dangers is knowing what causes them. The most common origins are:
■ Wet or oily floors: Washdown bays, overspray from spray booths, spills in liquid storage or filling areas, and machine leaks
■ Uneven floors: A variation of 1⁄4 in. or more on a walking/ working surface which can be caused by worn, weathered, or dam- aged flooring
■ Obstructed walkways: Objects stored in walkway, cords or hoses left in walkway, or doors and drawers left open
■ Floors and surfaces with low coefficient of friction: Smooth surfaces, loose debris, and wet floors
Cost of slip, trip and fall injuries
If a slip, trip, or fall injury occurs, expenses like OSHA fines and workers’ compensation claims can add up quickly. To assign real- world dollar values, the maximum OSHA fine for a serious viola- tion is $15,625, and according to the National Council on Com- pensation Insurance, the average workers’ compensation claim for
34 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL/MAY 2024
www.ohsonline.com
Krisana/stock.adobe.com