Slip, Trips and Falls
Following highway crashes and intentional injuries by persons, falls to a lower level is the third leading fatal workplace event and the fifth leading event resulting in cases with days away from work. In 2021, 680 workers died and in 2020, 49,250 were injured (latest data available).
Falls on the same level is the third leading preventable workplace injury or illness event resulting in cases with days away from work. In 2020, 136 workers died and 127,680 were injured from falls on the same level.
EHS wants to help prevent falls from happening at Kent State. There are four A's of fall prevention. You can also use these skills at home to help prevent falls there.
Ask
Ask yourself before starting work. Is a fall prevention plan in place? Have you taken the ladder safety course in Flashtrain? Are you trained in and using proper fall protection equipment? are fall prevention system such as guardrails in place?
Aware
Keep an eye out for possible hazards including torn carpeting, spills on the floor, obstacles blocking a walkway, clutter on the stairs or cords on the floor.
Address
Address the hazards. Don't assume someone else will do it. Safety is everyone else's responsibility. If you see a hazard, report it.
Always
Always keep safety top of mind. Follow safe work practices, including walking slowly, watching where you are going, and wearing proper footwear and more.
References
National Safety Council (nsc.org)