Slips, trips, and falls are a major cause of workplace injuries. Proper prevention techniques include good housekeeping to clean spills and remove obstacles, using the right footwear for the environment, and being aware of behaviors like rushing or distractions that can lead to falls. Fall protection devices should be used for work at heights from ladders, platforms, or other elevated surfaces. Following safety practices and policies can significantly reduce injuries from slips, trips, and falls.

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls

2. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this document are intended only for
the informational use of the addressee. The information contained
herein is not intended as, nor does it constitute, specific legal or
technical advice to the reader. Any information or recommendations
contained herein are provided to the addressee for usage at their own
discretion. Neither Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd., its
Members, Managers or Signal Administration, Inc. and/or their
employees accept liability whether in tort, negligence, contract, or
otherwise, to anyone for any lack of technical skill, completeness of
recommendations, or analysis of issues associated with the
discussion of topics set forth herein. No responsibility is assumed for
the discovery or elimination of unsafe conditions. Compliance with
any recommendations herein should not assume your compliance with
any federal, state, or local law or regulation. Additionally, the
information contained herein does not constitute and shall not be
construed to reflect the adoption of any coverage position by Signal
Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd., its Members, Managers or Signal
Administration, Inc. and/or their employees.

3. Introduction
There’s been so much information about
slips, trips, and falls that many people are
no longer paying attention.
Slips and falls were the major causes of
injuries in the early days of safety.
There are cases where people were
deliberately pushed down stairs. There
have been a wide range of accidents in the
workplace from every conceivable cause.

4. Introduction
This even includes running into doors or
doors running into people.
Jumping from elevated surfaces has
caused quite a few injuries.
And every type of slip and fall from ladders
to slippery floors, debris on the floor or
working surfaces.
No improvement is noticeable.

5. Today’s Injury Statistics
With today’s technology, injury statistics
demonstrate where we went wrong, and
even with excellent safety and health
departments, we still experience slip and
fall incidents.
What’s the magic bullet? New floor
surfaces. State of the art shoes.
What’s the answer? We believe it is more
training. And that everyone accepts
responsibility for working and acting safely.
Who would have thought of that?

6. Overview of Course
Let’s look at how we’re going to approach
today’s course.
First, we want to review some of the ways
people trip and fall.
Secondly, we want to review basic
prevention techniques.
Thirdly, we’d like to encourage you to get
on the safety bandwagon for preventing
slips, trips, and falls.

7. Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls
When you think of ladders, uneven
surfaces, and of course slippery
surfaces such as water, ice, and
grease, you can visualize the cause
of accidents.
OSHA states that about 35 percent
of the majority of workplace
accidents are caused by slips, trips,
and falls.

8. Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls
Falls can cause severe injuries such as
broken hands and arms, back injuries, strains
to muscles and ligaments, and even death.
Slips, trips, and falls happen when working
with ladders, platforms and heights. Nothing
good can come from slips, trips and falls.

9. Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls
Remember, these types of accidents have
been around for a long time. So it’s nothing
new. However, there is a new concentrated
effort to eliminate slips, trips, and falls.

10. Falls
About 60 percent of falls
are a result of slips and
trips. The remaining 40
percent are falls from
heights, falls from ladders,
roofs, and stairs, or from
jumping to a lower level.

11. Slips
Slips happen when there is
too little friction or traction
between footwear and the
walking surface.
Common causes of slips are
wet or oily surfaces,
occasional spills, weather
hazards, or unanchored rugs
or mats and flooring, and
walking surfaces that do not
have the same degree of
traction in all areas.

12. Trips
Trips happen when your foot collides by striking or
hitting an object, causing you to lose your balance and
then fall.
Common causes of trips are:
oObstructed view
oPoor lighting
oClutter in your way
oWrinkled carpeting
oUncovered cables
oBottom drawers not being closed
oUneven steps and walking surfaces

13. Review
A trip occurs when a person’s foot comes
in contact with an object that’s in their way
or drops to a lower level unexpectedly,
causing them to be thrown off balance.
A slip occurs when there is too little traction
between footwear and the walking surface.
A fall occurs when you’re too far off
balance.

14. Prevention Techniques
Both slips and trips result from some kind
of unintended or unexpected change in the
contact between the feet and the ground or
walking surface.
This shows that good housekeeping,
quality of walking surfaces or flooring,
selection of proper footwear, and
appropriate pace of walking are critical to
preventing fall accidents.

15. Prevention Techniques
What are some basic ways you can
prevent slips and trips?
oInstall light sources that are sufficient for your
task,
oUse a flashlight if you’re entering a dark room
where there’s no light
oEnsure that things you’re carrying or pushing do
not prevent you from seeing obstructions or
spills

16. Housekeeping
The first and most important level in
preventing falls due to slips and trips is good
housekeeping which includes;
oCleaning all spills immediately
oMarking spills and wet areas
oMopping or sweeping debris from floors
oRemoving obstacles from walkways and keeping
them free of clutter
oSecuring mats, rugs and carpets that don’t lay flat
oAlways close file cabinet and storage drawers

17. Housekeeping
Other housekeeping tasks are:
o Cover cables that cross
walkways.
o Keep work areas and walkways
well lit.
o Replace used light bulbs and
faulty switches.
 Without good housekeeping
practices, any other preventive
measure such as installation of
special flooring, appropriate
footwear, or training in walking
and safe falling, will never be
fully effective.

18. Footwear
In workplaces where floors may be oily, wet,
or if workers spend considerable time
outdoors, prevention of fall accidents should
focus on selecting proper footwear.
Since there’s no footwear with anti-slip
properties, consulting a shoe manufacturer is
highly recommended.
Proper fitting footwear increases comfort, and
prevents fatigue, which can improve safety for
the employee.

19. Footwear
It’s important to remember that safety is
everybody’s business.
However, it is the employer’s responsibility
to provide a safe work environment for all
employees.
The most important protection is to wear the
proper footwear for your work and
environment.

20. Footwear
In most occupations, the shoes or boots
should provide three major types of
protection.
o Soles and heels should be slip resistant
o The toe of the shoe should resist crushing injuries
o The shoe should support the ankle

21. Footwear
Leather covering the foot and ankle portion of
the foot is preferred in most work
environments.
However, when working in wet environments,
or around chemicals, oils, greases, or
pesticides, boots made of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), a blend of PVC and polyurethane, or
neoprene should be used.
Rubber is satisfactory for wet conditions but
not with pesticides or petroleum products.

22. Behaviors That Lead to Falls
In addition to wearing the wrong footwear,
there are specific behaviors which can lead
to slips, trips, and falls.

23. Behaviors That Lead to Falls
Walking too fast or running can cause
major problems that can lead to slips, trips,
and falls.
Distractions, not watching where one is
going.
Carrying materials which obstruct view.
Wearing sunglasses in low light areas.
Failure to use hand rails.

24. Behaviors That Lead to Falls
These and other behaviors, caused by a
lack of knowledge, impatience, or a lack of
good habits developed from past
experiences, can lead to falls, injuries, or
even death.
Makeshift ladders, chairs, boxes, and
barrels should never be used as substitutes
for a ladder. The risk of injury is far too
great.

25. Falls from Vehicles and Equipment
Death or serious injury is a frequent result of
extra riders falling from tractors, equipment,
or the bed of a truck.
The safe way to avoid falls from vehicles or
equipment is to not allow riders.

26. Falls from Vehicles and Equipment
Practice the three point system on entry and
exit. This system can significantly reduce the
chances of injuring yourself through a slip or
fall while climbing ladders or while entering or
exiting a vehicle.
The three point system means that three of
your four limbs are in contact with the ladder
or vehicle at all times - either one hand and
two feet or two hands and one foot.

27. Falls from Vehicles and Equipment
Only one limb is in motion at any time with the
three point system.
When getting off the bed of a truck or wagon,
or any similar level, step down backwards.
Never jump or fall down forward.

28. Falls on Stairs
Stairwells should be well lighted with sturdy
hand rails on both sides.
Persons using the stairwell should have
one hand free to be able to use the hand
rail.
All the steps should have the same rise
and depth with visible edges.
They must be kept free of grease, oil, and
obstacles which could cause slips and trips.

29. Falls on Stairs
Whenever possible, avoid carrying bulky or
heavy objects which obscure your vision
and/or require the use of both hands.
Carry smaller, lighter loads and make more
trips, or obtain help with the load.

30. Ladders
Ladders cause a great
number of injuries.
Never stand on the top two
steps of a stepladder—that’s
just too dangerous and
causes an unsafe shift in the
center of gravity of the ladder.
Don’t lean past the rails of the
ladder as this creates
instability.

31. Ladders
We call this the “belt buckle rule.” Don’t
lean past your belt buckle, for safety.
Naturally, don’t use a metal ladder when
working on or near electricity. It’s a great
risk of electrocution or getting a shock that
can throw you off the ladder.

32. Ladders
With straight ladders, you may recall the
old 4 to 1 ratio for setting up straight
ladders.
While still applicable, it falls short of the
best way to ensure that the ladder is
properly set up for safety.

33. Ladders
There are three basic requirements for
extension ladder setup.
First, the top of the ladder must extend three
feet or three rungs above the point of contact
with the structure.
Secondly, it must be set up at the precise
angle of 75.5 degrees to provide the proper
angle for climbing.
Lastly, an extension ladder verification device
is recommended to achieve this angle with
accuracy.

34. Fall Protective Devices
Workers at high elevations,
such as ladders, platforms,
and catwalks, should be
protected from falling by
some kind of fall protective
device.
This could be a protective
cage, a lifeline, lanyard,
safety belt or harness.

35. Fall Protective Devices
There are numerous devices on the market.
The system should provide maximum
protection but it should also be reasonably
comfortable and not restrict the worker’s
necessary work activity.
Suppliers of safety equipment can provide
information on the correct system for your
workplace and should provide instruction on
its safe use.

36. Signs and Striping
Safety signs to remind people of slip, trip, and
fall hazards are certainly always helpful.
Particularly where hazards cannot be removed
or corrected, such signs should be changed
frequently.

37. Signs and Striping
Yellow striping to identify walking and
working areas are most effective if their
meaning is enforced.
Striped areas should mean that no object
should be placed in these areas.
Dropped and spilled materials should be
removed immediately.

38. Conclusion
Established policies and practices can be
implemented to significantly reduce the
number of injuries and deaths due to slips,
trips, and falls.
Much like being a defensive driver, to avoid
accidents, one must also be a safe walker
to avoid slips, trips, and falls.