The National Safety Council reports that falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional death in homes and communities, and OSHA reports that falls are the leading cause of death in construction environments.  In 2009, falls resulted in more than 25,000 fatalities.  In fact, slips, trips, and falls are one of the most commonly reported workplace injuries, making up almost 25% of all worker's comp claims.  17% of all disabling occupational injuries are caused by falls which result from slips or trips.

 

Common locations for slips, trips, and falls include doorways, ramps, cluttered hallways and office areas, areas with heavy traffic, uneven surfaces, areas prone to wetness or spills, ladders, and stairs.

 

 How can you  protect yourself from a slip, trip, or fall injury? Here are a few easy steps you can take:

• Make sure all cords (power, electrical, phone, etc) are out of traffic areas
• Remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats to keep them from slipping
• Remove tripping hazards (paper, boxes, toys, clothes, shoes) from stairs and walkways
• If you notice tripping hazards on stairs or walkways while at work, report it to Environmental Health and Safety 
• At home, periodically check the condition of walkways and steps, and repair damages immediately
• At work, report any hazardous walkway or stair conditions to Environmental Health and Safety
• Never stand on a chair, table or other surface on wheels
• Never use a chair, table, or anything other than a stepladder or ladder to reach things above shoulder level
• Clean up or report all spills immediately to Facilities