REPORT SUMMARY OF SLIP, TRIP AND FALL PREVENTION STUDY FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS

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1 REPORT SUMMARY OF SLIP, TRIP AND FALL PREVENTION STUDY FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS DEPARTEMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Safety and Health January 2016

2 This document is a report of a study headed by important health agencies as the American Department of Health and Human Services and seven others institutes such as the American federal agency NIOSH, BJC Health System, the Finnish Institute for Occupational Health, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, the Veteran's Health Administration, and Washington University School of Medicine. Published on December 2010 in the United States, this report was focused on the reasons, dangers and consequences of a slip, trip or fall in hospital. This report exposes the causes, the damages and the actions to implement to avoid those accidents that represents 25% of the hospital injury events in workplaces and have touched per employees in one year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Figure 1). Targeting health care facility administrators, safety and health professionals or workers who are responsible for safety, the 56 pages workbook is a true assistance for the whole professionals concerned and allows them to more easily detect the hazards. In fact, the report exposes the ten major hazards that induce the slip, trip and fall accidents, and shows where they mainly occur: 1. Contaminants on the floor 2. Poor drainage: Pipes and Drains 3. Indoor Walking Surfaces Irregularities 4. Outdoor Walking Surfaces Irregularities 5. Weather Conditions: Ice and Snow 6. Inadequate Lighting 7. Stairs and Handrails 8. Stepstools and Ladders 9. Tripping Hazards: Clutter, Loose Cords, Hoses 10. Improper Use of Floor Mats and Runners During this analysis, we are going to expose the two main dangers of the top 10 hazards that are responsible for the slip, trip and fall accidents. The main dangers are the contaminants on the floor and improper use of floor mats. We are willing to review this points and approach the actual solutions and recommendations to avoid them. Finally, we will analyze how they affect the employees and others victims. Report of Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention 2

3 Report of Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention 3

4 Main Hazards Contaminants on the floor According to the Department of Health and Human Services, contaminants on the floor are the leading cause of STF incidents in health care facilities. The walking surfaces can become slippery which could contribute to an incident. Where? Those incidents can take place in different locations from decontamination areas including soap dispensers, drinking fountains to building entrances. Improper Use of Floor Mats and Runners According to the Department of Health and Human Services, mats have a major role and are frequently used to prevent the STF incidents. In fact, by absorbing all kind of liquids, removing dirt and liquids from the shoes they provide slip resistance to the walking areas. But they are only effective if properly used, maintained and of great quality. Otherwise, they became a real danger and factor of the STF incidents. Where? Under sinks, histology labs, water foundations and health care facility entrances Report of Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention 4

5 Victims The incidents result in important disabling injuries that seriously impact and affect the health care employee's ability to do his work. They often cause lost workdays, reduce the productivity and diminished ability to care patients. Moreover, the worker compensation claims are expensive and cause important costs for the company. An analysis of hospital logs reveal that the lower extremities were the body parts most commonly injured. They represent around 44.9% of the strip, trip and fall claims. Besides this type of accident resulting in sprains, dislocations, tears and even fractures, represent 48% of the claims by nature of injury. Report of Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention 5