Reduce slips, trips and falls at work and home

  • Published
  • By Chris Tirey
  • 88th Air Base Wing Safety
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Life in the Miami Valley will soon change again as the mild temperatures of fall yield to the potentially brutal weather conditions that an Ohio winter can generate. This period routinely produces a significant number of slips, trips and falls (STFs), the perpetual leading source of lost workday injuries.

Naturally, the injured party suffers, but the negative impact extends well beyond one person. The unexpected absence of a single person as he or she convalesces can have a large impact on those personnel compensating for their teammate's absence. Now is the time to take oncoming weather conditions into consideration and make preparations to minimize the occurrence of STFs this winter.

Here are some strategies worthy of consideration:

› Review snow removal plans. Discuss walkway preparation requirements as well as supplies with your real property building manager (RPBM). If   the manager needs resources or support, facilitate it.

› Consider designating a primary inclement weather entrance/exit to focus initial surface preparation efforts.

Communication with organizational personnel is key. The RPBM must be made aware of any icy surfaces at entrances/ exits or wet interior surfaces as quickly as possible. All personnel (including visitors) must also be notified immediately   so they know to avoid the potential hazard until it is corrected. This might involve having a cone, sign or other visual cue placed in the area and those should be readily available.

› All personnel must take advantage of alternate parking locations or pedestrian travel routes any time a less hazardous walking surface is available.

› Stress the need to select foot wear that is suited to the outdoor walking surface rather than the indoor destination. Bringing along an extra pair of shoes for the duty location or the purchase of one of the many inexpensive items that slip over the wearer's shoes and provide a high degree of traction are options to consider.

All of these principles apply at home (where you are the RPBM) as well. Make sure you have salt/ ice melter and pretreat walking surfaces when warranted. Inspect your snow shovel/snow blower before you need it to ensure it is in good condition. 

Footwear must be slip resistant. Take your time as you work and don't exceed your physical limitations -- snow removal is a physically strenuous activity. 

Apply these recommendations and work together to remove or avoid unnecessary STF risks this winter. We all   benefit when lost workday injuries decrease in their frequency and severity. Make this the winter your home and organizational STF prevention plans are the best ever.