How To Prevent A Slip And Fall

Transcription

1 Slip/Fall Prevention Impact of an Aging Population Larry Readout, CSP Senior Engineer Home Office Risk Improvement

2 OSHA s Revised Rule Effective June 2015 Requires inspection of all walk/work surfaces for STF hazards Includes floors, stairs, parking lots, sidewalks

3 Walking and Working Surfaces, (d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair. (1) The employer shall ensure through regular and periodic inspection and maintenance that walking and working surfaces are in safe condition for employee use. (2) The employer shall ensure that all hazardous conditions which are discovered are corrected, repaired, or temporarily guarded to prevent employee use. Repairs shall be made in a manner that will restore the walking and working surface to a safe condition for employee use. (3) Only qualified persons shall be permitted to inspect, maintain or repair walking and working surfaces except for the incidental cleanup of non-toxic materials.

4 Keys to Slip/Fall Prevention 1. Appoint and train a Slip/Fall Prevention Champion 2. Audit walking surfaces regularly 3. Make it easy for anyone to report slip/fall hazards 4. Maintain smooth, even walking surfaces minimize clutter 5. Highlight any changes in elevation so they are noticeable 6. Monitor and enhance the traction of flooring 7. Require slip resistant footwear for wet/oily areas 8. Comprehensive mat strategy keep the elements outside and don t let mats become a trip hazard 9. Snow/ice management program timely treatment 10. Awareness training & proper use of warning signs

5 Impact of Injuries on Workers 50% of waking hours spent at work Loss of socialization Loss of home production For some, normal productive life is over All workplace accidents are preventable!

6 Most Frequent Workplace Accident Types 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Slips are often unreported, but still rank # Countrywide Data

7 General Liability Claims SLIP/FALL PROP DAMAGE EQUIP DMG IMPR CONST SEWER BCKUP WATER DMG # 1 for both frequency & severity Countrywide Data

8 # Claims Slip/Fall Frequency Ranking by Age Countrywide Data

9 Slip/Fall Claim Cost by Age $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $ Total Incurred Countrywide Data

10 Source: CDC

11 Unintentional Injury Deaths Source: National Safety Council Injury Facts 2013

12 Iowa Facts - Falls Source: IDPH

13 Fall Severity Data Source: EMC Countrywide Claims data

14 Slip/Fall Data 2012 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index

15 Other Data U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 237,000 STF cases in 2012 Great Britain: 35% of all employee injuries are STF Spain: 32% of all employee injuries are STF Canada: 17% of employee lost time injuries are STF Australia: 15% of serious employee injuries are STF New Zealand: #1 cause of home injuries (70,000/year in the age group)

16 Aging Population Wave Baby Boomers plan to work past age 65 U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates & Projections

17 Aging is not a disease

18 Aging is not a disease Strength & endurance lose 10% per decade after 30, less able to compensate for slippery or uneven surfaces Gait issues Osteoarthritis, joints less flexible, shuffle feet Vision - depth perception, contrast, glare Hearing - balance Nervous System slower reaction time Cardiovascular stamina Cognitive skills/memory?

19 Other Age-Related Risk Factors Heel cord tightness, Poor hip/ankle flexibility Postural Sway (especially females) Sway studies takes longer to reestablish balance with age Problems with feet (diabetes, shoes too big) Increased use of Rx (>3 is an indicator)

20 #1 risk for seniors

21 Slip Simulator Cost approx. $40, Try natural gait first 2. Try again after learning new techniques: Keep head up Keep shoulders over ankles Take half steps Walk flat-footed (not heel-to-toe) 3. 3 rd pass with distractions introduced 4. 4 th pass to test new upper speed limit

22 Uneven Surfaces ½ change in elevation High traffic walkway, broken arm

23 Repairs - Mud jacking Same area after repairs

24 Uneven Surfaces Raised 5/8 Hip/shoulder injuries

25 Uneven Surfaces Flared side not identified

26 Solution - Awareness Use slip-resistant additive

27 Uneven Surfaces Broken jaw, brain injury

28 Solution - Awareness 6 feet wide, contrasting color

29 Confusing Markings Broken hip

30 Uneven Surfaces ½ drop-off, broken hip Beware of concrete/asphalt transitions

31 Uneven Surfaces View when walking 3 change in elevation

32 Uneven Surfaces Is paint 100% effective?

33 Uneven Surfaces Uneven and variable - Marking is no guarantee

34 Uneven Surfaces Looks okay, right?

35 Uneven Surfaces 5/8 raised edge = broken wrist

36 Uneven Surfaces Uncovered water meter box too close

37 Uneven Surfaces Fatality. Flared edges not marked

38 Uneven Surfaces Fatality. Flared edges not marked

39 Uneven Surfaces Shadows hiding flared curb

40 3 Shades of Gray Weather will reduce visual contrast Older pedestrians less likely to see curb

41 Uneven Surfaces Shades of Gray Broken Wrist

42 Solution - Awareness 4 wide, contrasting color, slip resistant

43 Short Flight Stairs Single step in walkway Will cause a stumble/fall Right idea, but. Stripe each edge and use mineral aggregate

44 Uneven Surfaces Brain Injury Facility slab settled 2

45 Uneven Surfaces Medical Office Paint alone not enough Broken finger and had to redo disc fusion surgery Depth perception? Rx? Eyes focused on doorway? 1.5 raised edge

46 Uneven Surfaces Adequate protection? Forgot after browsing

47 Uneven Surfaces Hidden change in elevation

48 Uneven Surfaces Many stumbles on sloped sides

49 Uneven Surfaces Slope not detected leaving store

50 Solution - Awareness Paint flared sides

51 Uneven Surfaces Tripped on rug, shattered shoulder ball joint

52 Necessary if dry weather? Got Mats? 61 year-old shuffler, shoulder and hip injuries

53 Solution? Got Mats? Medical facility during remodel

54 Traction Got Mats?

55 Hall of Shame Mat length for snowy days: 30 ft Frequent change-out and/or extraction required

56 Hall of Shame When is a mat damaged enough to replace?

57 Traction ANSI/NFSI B : SCOF 0.6 is high traction ANSI/NFSI B : DCOF 0.4 is high traction

58 Traction Treatment 0.8 Wet Static Coefficient of Friction Before After Pizza area Store aisle Study: Every 0.1 increase in COF reduces slips by 21%

59 Traction Slip resistant paint not used, was raining

60 Traction Abrupt change in traction, snowy day. Wet soles? Shoulder and head injuries

61 Solution? Temporary solution. Should measure/enhance traction

62 Traction Cooler condensation

63 Traction Customer spill Victim wearing flip flops

64 Footwear Slip resistant footwear Studies show at least 50% reduction in slips Older people tend to buy shoes that are too big Less control/coordination = missteps

65 Footwear ANSI/NFSI B101.7 Standard Test Method for Lab Measurement of Footwear Outsole Material Slip Resistance

66 Seasonal Issues 3,500 WC Slip/Fall Claims by Month 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Dec-Mar accounted for 47% of work comp slip/falls Companywide,

67 Snow Removal Contractor Claims Data 85-90% were slip/fall claims Average claim - $13,475 Most claims were at shopping centers 68% of fallers are women Most claims occurred on Mondays Most common claimant names: Joseph (men) Maria (women) ASCA, SRIB

68 Thaw/Refreeze 37 air temperature at 6:30 am, Feb 18, pavement temperature

69 SCOF Thaw/Refreeze 0.3 Ice Traction vs Temperature F -1 F 37 air temperature at 7:00 am, Mar 7, pavement temperature

70 Thaw/Refreeze Brain Injury Facility - Poor drainage design

71 Possible Solutions

72 Ice Melt Composition Temp Rating Cost Sodium Chloride (rock salt) 15 $ Sodium & Magnesium Chloride -5 $$ Sodium, Potassium & Calcium Chloride -10 $$$ Sodium, Magnesium & Calcium Chloride -20 $$$ Calcium Chloride (90%) -25 $$$$

73 Ice Melt Pre-apply brine when possible Shovel slush layer off after melting is done Don t use too much use spreader Scoops and shovels result in overuse

74 Specialty Coating Pre-apply brine with tank sprayer, 2.2 lbs salt per gallon

75 Ice Cleats Some unsafe for driving or indoors

76 Too Much Sand Left Too Long Slipped on sand, fractures (Apr 26)

77 Awareness

78 Duty to Care Fulfilled?

79 Awareness Don t leave up too long - Remove when dry

80 Awareness Highlight steps/changes in elevation

81 What To Do? Granite steps Good condition Good lighting Adequate handrail

82 Recommendations Step covers, two-tone Surface modifier treatment for Granite Apply texture to handrails

83 Awareness Highlight steps/changes in elevation

84 Awareness Highlight flared curbing

85 Awareness Highlight raised edges

86 Awareness

87 Other Issues

88 Distracted Walking

89 Inadequate handrails

90 Inadequate handrails

91 Inadequate handrails

92 Glare Visually confusing

93 Glare Brightness extremes affect contrast/depth perception Contrast ratio of tread/nosing approx. 5 to 1

94 Contrast Rules 10+ to 1 to recommended Yellow and red best for older eyes 12 4

95