SLIPS & FALLS Occupational Health

1. SLIP, TRIP, AND FALL
PREVENTION

2. Training Objectives - Slips, Trips, &
Falls
Legislation
Statistics
Controls
Hazards
City Policy &
Toolkit

3. Ontario Occupational Health &
Safety Act
• Employers must “take every precaution reasonable in the
circumstances for the protection of a worker”.
[Section 25(2)(h) and 27(2)(c)]
• Regulations for Industrial Establishments (Reg.851):
Section 11 requires floors and other surfaces used by any worker, to
be kept free of obstructions, hazards and accumulations of refuse,
snow, or ice
• Regulations concerning heights:
 Guard Rails – Regulation 851 – Sections 13 & 14
 Ladders – Regulation 851 – Section 73 (portable ladders)
 Fall Protection – Regulation 851 – Section 85

4. Slip, Trip, and Fall Statistics
Did you know?
• Canada-wide, approximately 60,000 workers get injured annually
due to falls, with approximately 17,000 occurring in Ontario.
• One in every 6 lost time injuries in Ontario is caused by a fall
(From the WSIB Prevention Fact Sheet “Slips and Falls”)
• Falls can result in critical injuries such as fractures,
unconsciousness, or even permanent disability or death
• Falls on the same level are more frequent due to the number of
people exposed to those fall hazards. However falls from heights
(beyond 1 foot) can often result in more severe injuries.

5. City of Toronto Statistics
Slips, Trips, Falls
Q - What percentage of lost time injuries to City
employees each year result from slips, trips, and
falls?
A - More than 20% of all lost time injuries to City
employees each year result from slips, trips and
falls. Slips, trips and falls can also cause harm
to members of the public who are clients of City
programs and services.

6. What are some common slip/trip/fall hazards
in your work area, or in the work you perform?

7. How Do Slips, Trips and Falls Happen?How Do Slips, Trips and Falls Happen?
• The majority of falls happen as a result of slips and trips on the
same level due to:
 Wet or oily surfaces
 Occasional spills
 Weather hazards
 Loose, unanchored, or wrinkled rugs or mats
 Walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all
areas
 Obstructed view, including carrying objects in a way that may
obstruct view
 Poor lighting
 Clutter in your way
 Uncovered cables
 Bottom drawers of cabinets not being closed
 Uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces
From CCOHS OSH Answers “Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls”

8. Some Locations of Reported
Slips/Trips/Falls
The following are some reported locations of incidents. Common
contributing causes include weather (ice/snow/rain), carrying
materials, equipment, or patients while walking, and poor walkway
conditions:
• Walkways, steps, driveways, stairs (both outdoor and indoor) to
or from workplaces, TTC stops/subway, businesses, private
homes, apartment buildings, hospitals, stations
• Parking lots (some City-owned or operated, some not)
• Inside offices - office cubicles, hallways, various floors,
bathrooms, stairs, from chairs, elevators
• Vehicles (when entering or exiting) – slips on ice on the ground
while exiting or entering, slip or fall off steps of vehicles, trip over
equipment in vehicle

9. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Did you know?
• There are things you can do to prevent slips, trips, and falls,
whether you’re working in the office, a station, garage,
warehouse, or out in the community
We must all work together to eliminate slips, trips, and falls.
All workplace parties have a significant
responsibility for occupational
health and safety.

10. What Can You Do To Prevent
Slips, Trips, and Falls?
• Know about the hazards that cause slips, trips, and falls
• Follow any instructions/training provided
• Report hazards and incidents to your supervisor
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Don’t increase the risk by adding additional hazards
• Avoid hazards whenever you can
• Use/wear proper equipment and assistive devices
See the following slides for more information on the above.

11. Knowledge
• Know the slip, trip, fall hazards associated with your work, whether you are
working in an office, or other premises; e.g. station, garage, warehouse, or out
in the community.
• Know that some factors can combine to increase the risk, for
example;
 carrying a box or other materials while descending/ascending stairs
 carrying equipment or work materials while climbing wet stairs or
walking on a slippery driveway
 using electronic devices (cell phone, BlackBerry) while walking or
using stairs
 walking on surfaces or climbing stairs in dark conditions
 stepping to a lower or higher level that is also icy
 wearing improper footwear while walking on a slippery surface
 stepping onto a different surface (e.g. from outdoors to indoors) with
snow on your boots

12. Knowledge
• Know evacuation procedures and the location of exits in
advance of an emergency
• Know Your Worker Rights and Responsibilities

13. Follow Instructions
• Follow the prevention information in this presentation and any
additional instructions from your supervisor
• Reduce your own slip, trip, and fall risks as part of your every day
work and home life
• Help your co-workers avoid slip, trip, and fall hazards
You are also responsible for reducing your own
slip, trip, and fall hazards

14. Report
• Report any concerns, or slip, trip, or fall incidents (even those not
requiring lost time or medical attention) to your supervisor
• Report hazards of which you become aware, to help prevent
injuries. Examples can include, but are not limited to;
-poor lighting, stair hazards, defective equipment, loose carpeting or
mats, damaged flooring, spills, unsecured electrical/computer cords
and wires, clutter, icy or unsalted steps, entrances, or parking lots,
reckless behaviour
• Regularly inspect personal protective equipment such as treads
on footwear, and fall protection equipment
• Report hazards on City or other business premises to building
management

15. Be Aware of Your
Surroundings
Look before and while you walk. Make sure your
path is clear and watch where you are going.
• Be aware that black ice can look like wet pavement
• Be aware that immediate entrances and stairs could be slippery from
melted ice or snow
• Walk slowly and carefully when coming indoors with wet footwear.
Try to kick some snow/ice off your footwear (if possible) before entering
premises, and wipe your feet on a floor mat (if available) before stepping
onto bare floors
• Take extra care when getting out of your vehicle on to an ice or snow
covered surface
• Watch out for slippery parking lots, roadways, sidewalks, TTC stops,
slippery or wet stairs or floors (clean up spills immediately)

17. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
• Proceed with extra caution when at unfamiliar premises
• Use caution when walking or climbing stairs in dark conditions, and turn on
lights/use flashlights when possible
• Watch out for uneven sidewalks and crosswalks, and hazards such as potholes
and streetcar tracks
• Be aware of changes in friction of walking surfaces, for example walking from
inside to outside, from snow to ice, from curb to road, from carpet to bare floor
• Slow down and take small careful steps if the surface is rough, cluttered,
slippery or at an angle
• Carry objects close to your body and below chest level, when possible, so you
can see over or around what you are carrying

18. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Construction Sites
Be aware of increased slip, trip and fall risks
associated with some locations such as
construction projects. Avoid these hazards
whenever possible, and alert others as required.
Some examples include:
•Unguarded floor or wall openings
•Excavations
•Incomplete stairs (e.g. no railings)
•Debris, clutter, gravel

19. Don’t Increase The Risk
(for you or others)
YOUR ACTIONS CAN EITHER REDUCE OR INCREASE YOUR RISK
Walking Technique is Important:
• Take short deliberate steps in which the mid-foot strikes the ground first,
not the heel
• Always centre the body over the feet. This allows you to ensure the mid-
foot strikes the ground first, since most slips occur at the heel strike
phase of gait.
• Walk whenever possible, don’t run or rush. Take the time to be safe by
slowing the walking pace.
• Change direction slowly when walking on slippery surfaces
• Look to see if a less slippery path is an option

20. Don’t Increase The Risk
(for you or others)
CARRYING OBJECTS:
• Carry items safely to avoid slips, trips, and falls
• Carry objects close to your body and below chest level, when
possible, so you can see over or around what you are carrying
• Carrying too many materials at once, or even smaller items in a
way that will throw you off balance or obstruct your vision,
increases risk.
• Take the time to make more than one trip, ask for assistance,
or use assistive devices (e.g. dollies, carts)
The above is important at all times, but especially when slippery
conditions exist or when using stairs. The above principles are
also important for MSD prevention.

21. Don’t Increase The Risk
(for you or others)
• Close desk and cabinet drawers.
• Clear clutter/obstacles from pathways. Observe good housekeeping
practices.
• Use a proper step stool for overhead reaching. Don’t stand on a chair or
box.
• Only use a ladder with proper training. If a ladder is defective, don’t use it,
remove it from use (so no one else can use it), and report it to your
supervisor.
• Sit properly without bending, twisting, or leaning backwards.
• Pick up/clean up items on the floor when observed (spills/water, pens,
paper, etc…).
• Report hazards. Don’t ignore them.

26. Avoid Hazards
• Avoid wet, icy, unsalted walkways when possible.
Look for an alternate route.
• Avoid climbing over snow banks or other obstacles to get to your
destination. Walk whenever possible on cleared, sanded, well lit
walkways.
• Avoid carrying materials in an unsafe manner
• Avoid using objects (such as chairs, boxes) for
purposes other than their intended use
• Avoid using electronic devices while using stairs or walking
• Avoid giving in to time pressures, whenever possible, if they are causing
you to use unsafe behaviour. Find suitable alternatives, or talk to your
supervisor.

27. Use/Wear Proper
Equipment
• Make sure your footwear has good treads and is appropriate
for the weather/task
• If you have been provided with safety footwear, wear it for the
tasks required, as instructed, and as required under the
policy of the workplace you are visiting
• Use handrails on stairs whenever possible, to avoid falls (so
you can catch yourself if you slip). Report defective stairs or
slippery steps to your Supervisor or building management.
• Use assistive devices to safely transport items, ask for
assistance, or take the time to make more than one trip

28. Use/Wear Proper Equipment
• Only use ladders if you have proper training,
and the ladder is not defective
• Use proper footstools to access high shelves,
instead of other devices not intended for that
use
• Do not climb shelves or racking
• Don’t put frequently needed items up high
• Ensure freshly mopped floors have posted
caution signs

31. Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• Always inspect your vehicle and surrounding area
before entering or exiting the vehicle
 Survey the environment for items such as ice, snow, grease,
oil, debris, rocks, potholes, uneven surfaces
 Survey the vehicle for cracks or excessive wear to the
access points such as steps, handholds, etc.
 When possible remove ice, snow, or other debris from
steps, handholds, and footwear before entering or exiting
 Ensure vehicle clutter is removed and equipment secured to
avoid trip hazards when entering or exiting
• Whenever possible park the vehicle in an area free of the above
slip/trip/fall hazards
• Check the area for traffic before entering or exiting the vehicle

32. Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• When climbing in or out of a vehicle, face the vehicle where
practicable and always use the three point contact rule. Keep
three points in contact with the vehicle; either one hand and two
feet, or two hands and one foot.
• Use the access steps, footholds, handholds, and rails provided
on the vehicle to support you when entering and exiting.

33. Exiting and Entering Vehicles
• Never jump down from a vehicle, but exit slowly using the
three point contact method
• When entering or exiting cars or pick-up trucks, hold on to the
door or steering wheel to help maintain your balance
• Watch your head clearance when entering or exiting vehicles
• Step with caution (on the mid-foot) in icy conditions
• Load or unload a vehicle in a manner that does not obstruct
your vision, and utilize assistance of others, or assistive devices
as required
• Check the treads on your footwear regularly and replace as
needed
• Report to your supervisor any vehicle or related hazards you are
unable to resolve yourself

34. Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
Policy
Click here for City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and Falls
Prevention Policy and Toolkit
The City’s policy identifies a commitment to:
•identifying factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls in City
workplaces
•taking reasonable precautions to prevent introduction of slip,
trip and fall hazards into City workplaces and to
eliminate/reduce slips, trips and fall hazards where they are
identified
•educating staff on measures that will reduce the risks of slips,
trips and falls
The City’s policy identifies the roles and
responsibilities of workplace parties.

35. City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and
Falls Prevention Toolkit
Click here for City of Toronto Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
Toolkit
The toolkit is continually evolving. Below are examples of
items already in the toolkit:
Tips for Safely Entering or Exiting Vehicles
Winter Safety Tips - Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips and Trips Hazards Checklist

36. Additional Training Opportunities
• Other City Training courses regarding
Ladder Safety, Fall Protection, and
Scaffolding Safety
http://insideto.toronto.ca/hrweb/health
_and_safety/clusters.htm

37. Review
1. There are regulations concerning guard rails, fall protection, and
ladders
2. What are some common causes of slips/trips/falls?
water, oil, ice, snow, uncovered cables, worn carpet (and
other items on slide 7)
3. If I have to carry a lot of materials that obstruct my vision, are
too heavy, or require me to go up or down stairs, I can:
ask for help
break up the load
use an assistive device
4. Most slips occur at the ____ phase of gait.
heel

38. Review
5. Name one way to avoid falling on stairs.
hold the railing
6. Ensure freshly mopped floors have posted
caution signs
7. Use a _________to access high shelves when necessary.
footstool
8. What is Regulation 851, Section 11?
requires floors and other surfaces used by any worker, to
be kept free of obstructions, hazards and accumulations
of refuse, snow, or ice
9. Name two ways you can avoid falling on ice.
proper footwear with good treads, alter your gait, walk
slowly, take an alternate path, choose sanded cleared
pathways…

39. Review
10. What contact method should be used when exiting or entering
vehicles, or when climbing ladders?
three point contact
11. What do you do if you see a slip/trip/fall hazard you can’t fix
yourself?
report it to your supervisor

40. Acknowledgements
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and
Safety
• Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and
Regulations and Ministry of Labour
• Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
• WorkSafe BC
• Toronto Emergency Medical Services
• Toronto Public Health
• City of Toronto OHSCC Slips/Trips/Falls
Prevention Workgroup

41. Thanks
• Email me : arputhaselvaraj@gmail.com