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Slips, trips or falls are especially dangerous when such incidents happen in the workplace or production plant, when employees may be carrying heavy tools or working around hazardous substances. Research shows that slips, trips and falls account for the majority of general industry accidents, representing approximately 20 percent of all workplace injuries - including some that are disabling and even fatal. For example, the latest Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Statistics Report 2011 issued by the WSH Council and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) highlighted that 43% of workplace fatalities involved slips, trips and falls from heights.
As the pace of economic progress picks up across the region, many Asian countries are implementing stricter rules and regulations pertaining to workplace safety. Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) 2006 requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work, which includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks. Such rules and regulations serve to bring about a safer work environment for everyone, and employers who do not meet the additional stipulations on fall protection and safety may be heavily penalized.
There are many ways to prevent slips, trips and falls, but we can generally categorize the measures into two main processes - the first of which involve improving traction on the stepping surfaces to prevent slips and falls.
Hazardous substances such as oil or lubricants are very dangerous on all surfaces, and your facility should have proper and accessible sorbents to remove such hazardous substances. You should also consult professional suppliers on the right types of sorbents to deal with specific substances, and to use in specific locations.
On the other hand, some surfaces are inherently slippery regardless of the presence of oil or water. In such instances, you should install anti-skid floor tapes to improve the traction to prevent slips and falls. A good number of slips, trips and falls happen on the stairs, which is why it makes good sense to install anti-skid stair nosing products on the steps as well.
The second process in preventing slips, trips and falls is to create a visual workplace. Most regulations and safety standards require employees to display clear and concise messages using accident prevention signs and tags to warn users to keep clear of dangerous areas, such as signage and barricade tapes to inform users of the risk in that area. Safety signage should always use simple words and visuals, be printed in high visibility colours and placed in prominent and brightly lit locations.
It can be expensive to flout workplace safety regulations. For example, the penalties for acting in violation of OSHA in Malaysia can be very harsh, with a general penalty of up to 10,000-ringgit fine, or up to one-year imprisonment, or both. However, you can start protecting the welfare of your employees with some simple procedures.
Take a look at your past slips/trip/fall incidents by type and location to uncover trends, commonalities and causes.
Use heavy-duty, highly visible warning tape and floor tape to mark any uneven floor surfaces, and mark proper locations for tools and equipment storage areas to keep them from becoming obstacles in aisles and walkways.
Keep floors clean and dry where possible. To prevent injuries, make sure your stairs and landing areas are marked with anti-skid floor tape that withstands grease and oil.
To improve safety on stairs, make sure your stairs are marked with antiskid cleats. All treads be reasonably slip-resistant and the stair nosings should be of non-slip finish.
Exits must be clearly visible and be marked be a sign reading “exit.” Use glow-in-the-dark exit signs, anti-skid tapes and mark emergency evacuation routes.
Identify areas where there is a general need for instructions and suggestions to maintain safety. For example, install “Caution-Slippery Floor” signs to warn of wet surfaces, or “Watch your step” signs to indicate uneven floors.
Short-term hazards due to maintenance and housekeeping should be marked with cautionary floor stands, barricade tape and warning posts and chains.
Inspect your scaffolds and ladders frequently for damage, faults and wear, and use scaffolding tags and inspection tags to mark inspection dates.
Be sure your facility is stocked with the proper amount of absorbent pads. Monitor and change absorbent mats in a timely matter as they become saturated.
Educate employees on why slips, trips and falls occur and teach them how to look for hazards.
Always start by checking with your local regulatory authority on the regulations pertaining to workplace safety. To determine if your facility has proper signage and warning devices, you should develop your comprehensive checklists with qualified company personnel. You can also consult a third party expert who may well be able to identify additional safety signage and labeling needs that you would not have considered. It is a small price to pay to ensure that your facility is prepared for safety regulatory audits and, above all else, provides for a safe working environment for your employees.
Brady Corporation can help advise you on implementing appropriate solutions to prevent slips, trips and falls within your facility. Contact Brady for more information.
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