Facilitator s Guide PREVENTING SLIPS TRIPS AND FALLS. Copyright - All Rights Reserved. Telephone (905) Facsimile (905)

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1 CANADA USA AUSTRALIA UNITED KINGDOM SINGAPORE Safetycare Inc. Telephone (905) Facsimile (905) Safetycare Inc. Telephone Facsimile (905) Safetycare Australia Pty. Ltd. Telephone (03) Facsimile (03) Safetycare (UK) Limited. Telephone (0208) Facsimile (0208) SafetyMax Corp Pte. Ltd. Telephone Facsimile The information contained in this Facilitator s guide is distributed and sold as a guide and for informational purposes only. Safetycare makes no representation or warranty as to the compliance of this program with any and all applicable laws of the purchaser's jurisdiction. 2. Safetycare's liability for any damages to the purchaser or to any other party shall not exceed the amount paid by the purchaser for the guide. In no event shall Safetycare be responsible for any indirect or consequential damages or loss of profits, even if Safetycare has been advised of the possibility of such damage. Some provinces/states do not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to the purchaser. 3. This Facilitator s Guide is supplied as part of the subscription service; Montie. This guide is only to be used during a valid subscription period. Where a Montie subscription is not valid, this guide may not be used. Facilitator s Guide PREVENTING SLIPS TRIPS AND FALLS Copyright - All Rights Reserved

2 FACILITATOR S GUIDE PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS CONTENTS Introduction to the Facilitator s Guide 3 Introduction to the Video Program; Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls 4 Transcript of Video Program 5 PART 1 - Housekeeping 9 PART 2 - Floors and Walkways 9 PART 3 - Step Stools, Stepladders & Ladders 10 PART 4 - Footwear 10 PART 5 - Inappropriate human behaviour 11 Questionnaire 12 Answers 14 2

3 INTRODUCTION TO THE FACILITATORS S GUIDE Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls This Facilitator s Guide is supplied as part of the subscription service; Montie. This guide is only to be used during a valid subscription period. Where a Montie subscription is not valid, this guide may not be used. The aim of this Facilitator s Guide, when used in conjunction with the Video program, is to provide the facilitator with discussion points important to the overall development of the program and to allow participants the opportunity of discussing the impact the program may have on current work practices and whether in fact changes may be required. The time allocated to the program will be determined by which areas are seen as important to each Organization, the time taken to develop the points made in the program and whether other data specific to your own environment is included in addition to, or instead of, the program examples. EACH FACILITATOR SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE GUIDE DISCUSSION NOTES SUGGESTED AND PREPARE THEIR OWN INPUT ACCORDINGLY. The program transcript is included to allow your Organization to fully research the program content and develop specific examples critical to the performance of your own workforce. Where the Video program is made available to small or remote sections of your Organization, some other examples or discussion points may be preferred to suit the needs of these people and if so, should be developed prior to distribution of the program. Maximum benefit will then be obtained by your people. All information included in the Facilitator s Guide may be copied and distributed with the exception of the transcript of the Video program. Any information which is copied or distributed must only be used internally by the Organization which purchased the guide. 3

4 INTRODUCTION - THE VIDEO PROGRAM (Duration: 12 mins) Statistics tell us that a significant number of all workplace accidents are due to Slips, Trips and Falls, irrespective of the environment in which we work. The three most important factors contributing to the occurrence of Slips, Trips and Falls are: 1. Poor design of the workplace 2. Poor workplace practices and procedures, and 3. Inappropriate human behaviour. The objectives of this program are to highlight the major hazard areas associated with slips, trips and fall incidents and by so doing, increase awareness of the standards for worker responsibility in observing and being active in daily safety procedures. 4

5 TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO PROGRAM Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls Copyright SafetyCare, All rights reserved Slips, trips and falls are a major category of workplace accidents and result in a significant number of injuries. The three most important factors contributing to the occurrence of slips, trips and falls are: poor design of the workplace, poor workplace practices and procedures, and inappropriate behaviour. More specific causes include: Obstructions on the floor Wet, slippery or uneven floors and pathways Lack of signposting and barricading Inadequate lighting Misuse of equipment and furniture Inappropriate footwear, and Failure to follow correct manual handling procedures. By following some basic safety principles the accidents and injuries that result from slips, trips and falls can be dramatically reduced. Good housekeeping practices are essential for the prevention of slips, trips and falls, and underpin many of the control measures that should be implemented to reduce these kinds of accidents. Housekeeping All work areas should be neat and tidy and adequately illuminated. Rubbish should be removed regularly. Leads, cables and cords should be kept out of the way and should never be stretched across areas where people walk. Small moveable objects should generally be kept off the floor or placed in areas where they will not be in the way. And, drawers and cupboard doors should be kept closed. Because normal work practices require you to be able to move freely from one work area to another, it s important to make sure there s nothing in your way. 5

6 Aisles and walkways should be kept clean and clear of obstructions, and should never be used as storage areas. In industrial environments they should be clearly marked and wide enough to allow the safe passage of equipment, materials and people. Stairways and landings should be maintained in good order, cleaned regularly, and again be kept free of all obstructions, including grates and mats that could trip an unsuspecting person. Floors Floors, pathways and walkways should be maintained in good order. Carpets should be properly secured and not have areas that are badly worn or torn. Rugs and mats should be in good repair and only be used in suitable locations where they are unlikely to be a potential tripping hazard. Hard floors should be kept clean and dry at all times. Oil, grease, powders, water, food scraps, and other general waste can cause slips and should be cleaned up immediately. When cleaning up significant spills or during general cleaning activities when floors may be slippery, safety signs should be used to alert people to the fact that a hazard exists. In many cases, temporary barricading should be used in conjunction with safety signs to restrict access to the area until the area is again safe. Safety signs and temporary barricading should also be used to warn of other temporary operations, such as maintenance and repairs. And permanent safety signs should be posted to warn of permanent hazards, such as low ceilings or unexpected steps. Furniture and equipment Accidents associated with slips, trips and falls can also result from the incorrect use of furniture and equipment. Desks, chairs, boxes, benches, and pieces of equipment should never be used as substitutes for steps and stepladders. If an object is out of reach, take time to get the appropriate steps or stepladder rather than putting yourself and others at risk. 6

7 Steps, Stepladders and Ladders Steps and stepladders should be readily available so that items stored out of normal reach can be accessed safely and easily. When using steps or stepladders make sure that you can keep your balance, don t over reach, and be sure you can comfortably lift and carry any object you wish to move. It s a good idea to make sure you store frequently used and heavy items at an easily accessible height. All straight ladders should be fitted with slip-resistant pads. The ladder you re using should be secured to the structure you re climbing. Ties should be fixed to the stiles of the ladder, not the rungs. When a straight ladder is not secured, it should be supported by another person and, only one person at a time should be on a ladder. For jobs that require scaffolding the correct equipment should always be used. Makeshift solutions are likely to result in accidents and injuries. Footwear Wearing appropriate footwear is another important consideration in reducing the likelihood of slips, trips and falls. The key is to make sure your footwear is sensible and appropriate for the work you re doing. In the office, flat-soled shoes that are comfortable and provide adequate support are ideal. In industrial environments, footwear should be practical for the conditions and provide reasonable protection. In some cases, specialized footwear, such as safety boots, will be required. Inappropriate Behaviour People s behaviour can also be an important factor in preventing the occurrence of slips, trips and falls. Avoid horsing around in the workplace, and don t play with tools and equipment. Failure to use correct manual handling techniques is another common problem. Carrying objects that are either too heavy or too awkward is a common problem that leads to many 7

8 accidents and clearly, carrying any object that obscures your vision is simply asking for trouble. PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Hurrying should also be avoided. Haste only increases your chances of having an accident. Always be sure to choose the safest way to do something, not the quickest way to do it. Be sure never to run in the workplace. Be aware of your environment, and always use handrails to help you maintain your balance when you re going up or down stairs. Watch where you re going. Always approach doorways with caution, especially if you can t see what s happening on the other side. Taking shortcuts should also be avoided. In industrial environments especially, avoid taking shortcuts over or under equipment. The only safe way to move around the workplace is to follow the designated walkways and walkovers. If a workplace has been made safe through good design and satisfactory systems it s then everybody s responsibility to maintain a safe environment by always being on the lookout for potential hazards that could result in accidents and injuries. To help reduce the likelihood of slips, trips and falls in your workplace, remember to: Implement and maintain good housekeeping practices Keep work and public areas, aisles, walkways and stairs free of all obstructions Remove waste regularly Keep floors clean, dry and in good repair Use safety signs and temporary barricading where necessary Use equipment and furniture correctly Use steps, stepladders and ladders correctly Wear appropriate footwear Use correct manual handling techniques Don t be in a hurry, and Avoid taking shortcuts. 8

9 By doing these simple things you can help prevent the occurrence of slips, trips and falls, and ensure a safer workplace. PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS PART ONE - HOUSEKEEPING Good housekeeping practices require all areas to be neat, clean and tidy. Rubbish should be removed regularly. Cords and cables should be kept out the way. Aisles, walkways and stairways should be free all obstructions. Work areas should be well illuminated. DISCUSSION: 1. Using your own workplace, select areas that have presented housekeeping problems and discuss what improvements need to be made. 2. Have participants identify housekeeping issues they are aware of anywhere in the workplace. PART TWO FLOORS AND WALKWAYS It is clear that all walking surfaces should be maintained in good condition. Carpets should be properly fixed and free of badly worn or torn areas. Mats and rugs should only be used in appropriate places. Hard floor surfaces should be even and kept clean. Spills of liquids and other substances, such as powders, are of particular concern on hard surfaces and should be cleaned up immediately. DISCUSSION: 1. Have the participants identify any walking surfaces they feel may be of concern. 2. Discuss procedures for cleaning up spills. Include different substances and the need for protective equipment whenever necessary. Also discuss the need for signage and, if necessary, barricading. 9

10 PART THREE STEP STOOLS, STEPLADDERS & LADDERS Desks, chairs, boxes, benches and pieces of equipment should never be used as substitutes for step stools, stepladders and ladders. Frequently used and heavy items should be stored at an easy accessible height. DISCUSSION: Have participants discuss work procedures for the safe use of step stools, stepladders and ladders. PART FOUR FOOTWEAR Appropriate footwear is obviously important in preventing slips, trips and falls type accidents. The key is to make sure your footwear is both sensible and appropriate for the work you are doing. DISCUSSION: Discuss different types of footwear and what would be suitable in selected work areas. 10

11 PART FIVE INAPPROPRIATE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR A range of human activities can lead to slips, trips and falls: Horsing around Taking short cuts Hurrying or running Carrying objects that are too awkward, too heavy or obstruct your vision, and The misuse of equipment and furniture (eg standing on a chair) DISCUSSION: Discuss the importance of following safe work procedures and in particular the need to apply correct manual handling techniques. 11

12 QUESTIONNAIRE 1. The three most important factors contributing to the occurrence of slips trips and falls in the workplace are: (fill in the missing words) (A) Poor design of (B) Poor workplace... (C) Inappropriate human List four common good housekeeping practices. (A). (B). (C). (D). 3. When cleaning up a non-toxic spill what two items should be considered for use to protect pedestrian by passers? (A). (B). 4. When cleaning up a toxic spill what additional measure must be taken?... 12

13 5. Where should frequently used and heavy items be stored?... PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS 6. When using step stools or stepladders, what should you never do? When using a straight ladder, what is the most important safety measure you should employ? 8. List four examples of inappropriate human behaviour that could lead to slips, trips and falls type accidents. (A).. (B).. (C).. (D).. 9. List four things that you should do to prevent slips, trips and falls from occurring. (A).. (B).. (C).. (D).. 13

14 1. (A) of the workplace (B) practices and procedures (C) behaviour ANSWERS TO QUESTIONNAIRE 2. Any of the following: removing rubbish removing obstructions on the floor keeping work areas tidy keeping cables and cords away from pedestrians closing drawers and cupboard doors keeping items and equipment clean 3. (A) temporary signs (B) temporary barricading 4. consideration as to the need of appropriate personal protective equipment 5. at an easily accessible height, (between shoulder height and floor level) 6. Either of these answers: don t over reach don t lift over your comfortable limit 7. secure the ladder to the structure you are climbing 8. Any of the following: horseplay taking short cuts not looking where you are going running or hurrying not following established safe work procedures not employing correct manual handling techniques 9. Any of the following: maintain good housekeeping practices keep work and public areas, aisles, walkways and stairs free of obstructions remove waste regularly keep floors clean, dry and in good repair use temporary safety signs and barricading where necessary don t misuse furniture or equipment wear appropriate footwear 14

15 avoid taking short cuts don t run follow safe work procedures 15