Fall injuries are not only dangerous but also very costly. The average cost of a slip and fall injury is around $28,000. Each year in the United States, workers’ compensation and medical costs associated with occupational falls have been estimated at $70 billion.
Slips and falls are a hazard in any job – some more than others. The simple act of walking or climbing a ladder can be dangerous and even more so if the worker is above the ground. An incredible 70 percent of slips and falls occur on ground level but falls from heights are often much more deadly.
The best way to reduce fall injury and fatality rates countrywide is to require continued efforts from every area including: regulators, industry leaders, labor unions, employers, employees, safety professionals and more. We all need to work together to strive for safer workplaces with continuous education on regulations, how to use equipment and safety on the job.
Current OSHA requirements are that fall protection be used at elevations of four feet in general industry and six feet in construction. They also require fall protection when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. At Carbis, we focus more on preventing the falls in the first place by designing and creating unique fall prevention for your type of business.
Causes of slips, trips and falls vary but here are some of the more common ones:
• Loose mats or rugs.
• Weather-related conditions like rain, snow and ice.
• Inappropriate footwear.
• Substances on walkway surfaces whether they are oil, water, or other liquids.
• Lack of training and knowledge about avoiding slips, trips and falls.
• Uneven walking surfaces.
• Slick walkway surfaces that don’t allow for footwear traction.
Prevention
OSHA provides some good floor safety recommendations for slips, trips and fall prevention, some of which are:
• Keep floors clean and dry.
• Maintain walkways and clear any obstructions.
• Ensure walkway surfaces are in good repair and have non-slip surfaces.
• Every floor hole should be surrounded by a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover.
• Use floor plugs so power equipment cords don’t run across walkways causing a trip hazard.
• Provide adequate lighting in halls and stairwells.
• Have stair rails and hand rails on equipment.
• Train workers about job hazards – how to recognize them and what type of fall prevention equipment is needed.
In every situation, prevention is better than protection. Keep the fall from happening in the first place and you save lives, money and time. Carbis specializes in designing and constructing fall prevention equipment for loading/offloading trucks, rail cars, ships and barges. Contact us today to see how we can help keep your employees safe from slips, trips and falls.