Slips, Trips, and Falls… Still the Uncontested Leader of Claims After All These Years

Launching a Prevention Campaign

• Awareness and Education
• Hazard Assessment
• Injury/Incident Surveillance
• Floor Selection and Treatment
• Housekeeping Maintenance
• Footwear, Mats, and Warning
• Management Engagement

Incident Investigation Summary

Investigations provide companies with vital information to prevent future incidents. They improve processes, conditions, and operations. They also allow organizations to apply resources to appropriate areas to prevent future incidents and reduce claim costs. Investigation should be approached as a fact-finding not fault-finding mission. Determine who, what, when, where, and the incident happened. Photograph and document as much as possible. Review the incident area, documents, and work process.

Contributory Causes of Slip and Falls

• Floor selection – surface characteristics and the type of floor surface
• Floor care and maintenance – floor finish, application processes
• Environmental factors – contaminants such as water, dirt, and liquids
• Human element – work activities and physical conditions
  • Running, walking, pushing, talking
  • Vision, gait, and balance
• Footwear – sandals, crocs, high heels, and leather soles

Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Efforts

When selecting floors, performance should be considered first. Select excellent to good slip resistance when the surface is both wet and dry. The best products include:

• Unsealed brushed concrete
• Quarry tile with embedded grit
• Textured, glazed, ceramic tile with raised points
• Carpeting

Floors that are slippery can be treated to correct problems. Some examples of these options include:

• Floor treatments and coating
• Scoring and grooving of surfaces
• Chemical etching
• Friction strips or appliques

When changing floor surface characteristics, it is important to understand surface coating products, manufacturer limitations and their reputation and experience. Organizations should also consider a trial area and analyze what will happen to surface friction once applied. Mats can also effective when the floor surface cannot be changed, but they may need frequent changing or replacing due to saturation from weather elements. Warning signs and instructions can provide additional accident prevention. Wet floor signs are helpful, but need to be removed once the area is dry, as they can create an additional hazard.