Take measures to avoid workplace slips and trips

By Bob Carruth
Risk Control Manager

We're all familiar with the adage, "He/she can't chew gum and walk at the same time." Walking is one of those activities we often take for granted. Most muscles of the body are engaged when walking.

As human beings, we are particularly designed and created to walk on two feet. A fall results when, by our own actions or through the effects of some external force, we lose our balance and gravity takes over to the point that we cannot recover from the loss of balance. The end result can range anywhere from embarrassment to a fatality.

Given this unpredictability, it is important to understand the causes of falls and develop ways to prevent and reduce the frequency of their occurrence. Slips, trips and falls are all major loss sources for our Workers' Compensation and Liability and Property pools. From July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2011, there were 1,475 Workers' Compensation and Liability and Property claims attributed to falls, accounting for a total direct cost of $10 million and 25,000 lost workdays (that's more than 12 years of lost productivity).

Causes of falls

A slip occurs when the foot loses friction with the walking surface. A trip occurs when an object interrupts the normal stride of the victim. Often, the person will recover and avoid a fall. Regardless of whether it's a slip or a trip, two main factors – plus a "force multiplier" – come into play. Let's look at each of these briefly:

• The walking surface: The most common factor in slip and trip events is related to the overall condition of the walking surface. The first thing most of us think of involves ice and snow in a parking lot or on a sidewalk. Other than liquids on the floor surface, other conditions can lead to slips and trips. Changes in elevation including steps, sloped walkways, curbs and other openings or changes in floor surfaces can easily cause a loss of balance. Worn flooring or improper floor maintenance (such as using the wrong type of floor cleaner) can also cause a normally safe floor to become dangerous.
• Footwear: Good footwear can help to minimize falls, but conversely bad footwear exaggerates the negative effects of the floor surface. Leather-sole shoes are usually smooth-surfaced and prone to absorbing whatever chemical they come in contact with. Worn soles lose their ability to disperse water from under the foot and can likewise send you on a course for disaster. The type of shoe is also a major contributor to slips and trips. High heels, clogs and beach sandals may all have their place, but care must be exercised when allowing them in the workplace – many jobs require employees to walk around in multiple environments where these types of footwear are inappropriate.
• The individual: The person who experiences a slip or a trip and subsequent fall also plays a key role. The individual's actions or state of being just prior to the event tends to add to the chain of events that leads to the occurrence of an incident. As we age, our sense of balance and depth perception and our natural stride all change. These things can compound a poor walking surface or improper footwear.

The other contribution the individual makes is the state of mind right before the incident occurs. The individual may be distracted, stressed or complacent. He or she may also be attempting to do other things while walking – texting or talking on a cell phone comes to mind. Being distracted includes attempting to carry large items that may block the field of view.

Preventative measures

With all these factors in play, it may seem downright impossible to prevent slip and trip incidents from occurring, but there are a few strategies you can employ to help to reduce the frequency of slips and trips:

1. Promptly and continuously remove snow and ice from parking lots and sidewalks.
2. Develop a spill management plan for all facilities to include persons responsible for cleaning up spills.
3. Train housekeeping and maintenance employees on proper floor care procedures.
4. Regularly inspect walking surfaces, including parking lots and sidewalks.
5. Establish and enforce good housekeeping.
6. Exercise care and caution when walking, especially when negotiating wet or slick surfaces.
7. Pay attention to the access and egress in facilities where the public has greater access.

You can control falls from slips and trips with a focused effort. In these austere budget times, the dollars you save from reduced claims will translate into better use of tax dollars and, in turn, more resources being available to provide services to the public.

As Risk Control Manager for the NCACC, Bob Carruth manages the operation of the Risk Control Team for the Risk Management Pools. The team assists members with development of safety policies and programs and identification of liability exposures and controls. Carruth is a Certified Safety Professional and is certified as an Associate – Risk Management. A current Cabarrus County commissioner, he serves on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare and the Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County.