SLIP AND FALL PREVENTION: WALKING SURFACES

Transcription

1 SLIP AND FALL PREVENTION: WALKING SURFACES When asked what type f accident is the leading cause f injury, mst peple wuld prbably answer car accidents. Hwever, the real answer is that slips and falls ccur the mst in ur everyday lives. The Cnsumer Prduct Safety Cmmissin estimates that accidental falls accunt fr the mst hspital visits each year. Falls are the leading cause f unintentinal death fr individuals 65 and lder, with 11,000 deaths ccurring annually. Hwever, GuideOne Insurance sees falls acrss all age grups at the senir living cmmunities insured by the cmpany. Senir living cmmunities are at high risk simply because f the large vlume f peple wh frequent the prperty n a daily basis. With this large vlume f traffic, prperly maintaining the walking surfaces is essential in helping t prevent slips and falls. This fact sheet will address the varius safety issues assciated with the different types f walking surfaces, including sidewalks, parking lts and driveways, entrances and exits, interir flring surfaces, lighting, and ther walking surface hazards. SIDEWALKS Due t the number f peple cming and ging n a daily basis, sidewalk maintenance is crucial in preventing slip and fall injuries. Many rganizatins underestimate hw cmmn, severe and cstly falls can be, s it s imprtant t becme practive instead f reactive in preventing slips and falls. Regular peridic inspectins f sidewalks shuld be cnducted, and any substandard cnditins crrected as sn as pssible. When ding an inspectin, cnsider the fllwing items. Sidewalks shuld be in gd cnditin and free f cracks r pthles. If cracks in sidewalks are greater than ¼ inch, this can create a trip hazard because it is unexpected. Use a measuring stick, r fur pennies stacked n tp f each ther will equal ¼ inch. If these variances are fund, repairs shuld be made. Surfaces shuld be free frm gravel, rcks, and mud. Sidewalks that have depressins in the walking surface can trap water and mud, creating slip hazards. These areas shuld be repaired. Items placed in the path f travel, such as trash cans and garden planters, shuld be remved. Landscaping that is planted t clse t sidewalks shuld be kept pruned. If unchecked, the vegetatin can vertake the sidewalk, creating trip and fall hazards. Tree rts can cause sidewalks t heave and buckle causing serius trip and fall hazards. These areas shuld be identified and crrected. CM (12/11) Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces griskresurces.cm 1

2 If cnstructin peratins create an alternate rute, these walking surfaces shuld nt create additinal trip and fall hazards. Als, pedestrians shuld nt be allwed t walk thrugh areas under cnstructin. Inadequate patching t sidewalks can create trip and fall hazards frm raised/lwered edges, depressins and changes t the surface texture. These areas als shuld be clsely watched. This pht illustrates severe trip hazards due t the uneven walking surface. Patching has been cmpleted; hwever, it is nt adequate. In this case, the entire sectin f the sidewalk shuld be replaced. This pht illustrates severe trip hazards due t the uneven walking surface caused by the tree rts. In this case, the tree shuld be remved and the damaged sectin f the sidewalk shuld be replaced. PARKING LOTS AND DRIVEWAYS Senir living cmmunities will ften have large parking lts. Over time, parking lts can becme a real liability hazard fr slips and falls if items in the parking lt like pthles, speed bumps, and curbs are nt prperly maintained. Regular peridic inspectins f parking lts shuld be cnducted and any substandard cnditins crrected as sn as pssible. When ding an inspectin, cnsider the fllwing items. Parking lt surfaces are similar t sidewalks and shuld be in gd cnditin and free f cracks r pthles. Als, snw plws can cause damage. The ¼ inch variance in walking This pht illustrates a parking lt that has deterirated creating trip and fall hazards due t the numerus cracks and depressins in the surface. T crrect this hazard, the sectins f asphalt shuld be resurfaced. surface shuld be fllwed here as well. Surfaces shuld be free frm debris and slippery material, such as rcks, mud and sand. 2 griskresurces.cm Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces CM (12/11)

3 Tire stps are a ptential tripping hazard. These require maintenance and are expsed t damage frm snwplws and vehicles. If tire stps are present, fllw these guidelines: They shuld nt be taller than 6.5 inches and there shuld be at least three feet between wheel stps. Tire stps shuld nt extend beynd the width f the wheels. They shuld be marked with a cntrasting clr, such as yellw. Reinfrcing rds used t anchr the stps shuld be level with the tp f the stp and nt extend abve the surface. This pht illustrates a severe trip hazard due t the expsed rebar frm the deterirated tire stp. If a trip and fall wuld ccur here, the ptential fr a severe injury is present frm the sharp and expsed rebar rds. T crrect the hazard, the entire tire stp shuld be replaced. Speed bumps used t slw the speed f vehicles als present a tripping hazard. These are usually cnstructed f asphalt and will break dwn quicker frm being expsed t the weather and vehicles driving ver them. This will cmpund the slip and fall expsure. If speed bumps are installed, the fllwing guidelines shuld apply: They shuld NOT be installed next t natural pedestrian walkways (sidewalks, ramps, etc.), exit r entrance areas. They shuld be marked with a cntrasting clr s as nt t blend in with the parking lt surface. Make sure that areas arund speed bumps are adequately lit s that they d nt becme a tripping hazard in the dark. Speed Bump signs shuld be installed t give warning f their presence. CURBING Curbs shuld be six inches high. If this is nt maintained, due t settling r design, this can create an unfreseen trip hazard. Curbs leading t entrances and sidewalks shuld be painted a cntrasting clr, such as yellw, white, r red. Curb cututs that are installed t prvide handicapped access als shuld be marked with cntrasting paint, and grit shuld be added t the paint t create surface rughness. This pht illustrates gd marking f the sidewalk and parking lt variances with yellw paint. By taking precautins such as these, the chances f slips and falls are greatly reduced. CM (12/11) Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces griskresurces.cm 3

4 ENTRANCES AND EXITS Entrance and exit areas shuld receive special attentin fr cntrlling slips and falls. Due t heavy ft traffic at these areas, the flr surface ver time becmes smth and will have less tractin. Dirt and water depsits cmmnly tracked in frm the utside will be higher in these areas and make the flr mre susceptible t slips and falls. The fllwing items shuld be cnsidered when chsing, installing and maintaining any interir flring: Identify areas that shw a high level f smthness and ther defects. Changes in surface flr types als shuld be identified. This is imprtant, as the persn wuld encunter an unexpected cnditin (rugh t smth), increasing the chances fr a fall. Ideally, the flr surfaces shuld be cnsistent. Drs shuld pen and shut smthly with apprpriate dr clsing mechanisms s that, upn clsing r pening, there is n risk f peple being kncked ver. The drsill shuld be flush with the flr. If nt, the change in elevatin between the tw shuld be n mre than ¾ f an inch. If there is a threshld installed, the edges shuld be slped, have a nnslip surface and be adequately secured t the flr. Having umbrella stands available next t entrances will help keep water frm dripping ff umbrellas nt the flr. With the ptential fr ice, snw, mud, etc. t be present at entrances, these areas shuld be designed t minimize the slip and fall ptential. This pht shws an excellent cntrl fr minimizing the slip and fall ptential in entryways. This is a grate system with a catch basin, The best design cnsists f a grate system with a catch basin (shwn n the right), which is installed at high traffic areas t effectively remve misture frm ftwear. If a grate system is nt feasible, mats shuld be installed. The fllwing guidelines shuld be fllwed cncerning mats: Flr mats and/r runners shuld be installed where the flr surface is nt slip resistant. Flr mats specifically designed fr remval f dust, dirt and misture at building entrances and ther apprpriate lcatins shuld be used. Examples f ther areas that may benefit frm mat installatin include the fllwing: Areas adjacent t water funtains and drink statins. Fd cunters and fd preparatin areas. Under and arund sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. Ice statins, freezers and clers. Near machinery and ther areas where spills may ccur. Flr mats shuld be designed fr remval f dust, dirt, and misture. Carpet remnants, scatter rugs, r cheap mats (vinyl backing, r n backing) shuld NOT be used. The edging shuld be beveled in rder t prvide a smth transitin frm the flr t the mat. The mat shuld NOT have curled up edges and shuld be replaced prir t it becming dg-eared. This pht shws a pr example f a flr mat. Carpet remnants shuld never be used in these areas. They are nt designed t trap water and dirt, are nt slip resistant and they will curl and fray n the edges. 4 griskresurces.cm Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces CM (12/11)

5 Mats shuld NOT be stacked n tp f each ther in use. This increases the ptential fr tripping due t the uneven edge frm the flr. T decrease the ptential f the mat frm sliding, a single larger mat shuld be used instead f multiple smaller mats. The larger mat is heavier due t its size, which reduces the sliding ptential. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recmmends selecting mats lng enugh t take tw full steps (6 t 8 feet) befre stepping nt ther flr surfaces. Mats and runners shuld receive prper cleaning and maintenance t ensure their integrity. Once the mats becme filled with sil and water, they cannt effectively remve these cntaminants frm entering the building. INTERIOR FLOORING SURFACES Aesthetics always play a majr rle in deciding what type f interir flring shuld be installed. A pririty fr senir living cmmunity leaders shuld be t determine what type f flring will be aesthetically pleasing but als t prvide adequate prtectin frm slips and falls. Carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl and hardwds are all apprpriate types f interir flr surfaces; hwever, due t their design characteristics, ne may be mre apprpriate than the thers fr certain areas f yur schl. Flring als shuld be crrectly installed, as pr installatin can cntribute t slip and fall hazards, such as a prly stretched carpet that becmes lse and bunches. Of curse, maintenance always plays a rle in preventing slips and falls as ver time prly maintained flring will deterirate and becme a hazard. Even regularly maintained flring can becme a hazard if the cleaning agent affects the slip resistance f the flring. The fllwing items shuld be cnsidered when chsing, installing and maintaining any interir flring: Every flr surface has a degree f tractin r slip resistance. Althugh nt a frmal standard, the flring shuld have a cefficient f frictin (slip resistant rating) f.50 r higher. Flring material shuld be suitable fr the envirnment. Areas prne t the presence f water (entryways, bathrms, etc.) shuld have high slip resistance characteristics. Cleaning and waxing f flring als shuld be cnsidered. The use f flr waxes shuld be dne accrding t the manufacturers recmmendatins and shuld maintain the slip resistance rating. Nn-skid wax shuld be used n flrs. Yur cleaning supply cmpany shuld be cntacted fr advice. It's als nt a gd idea t wax flrs immediately prir t big events invlving a lt f peple. Dust mps used fr flr cleaning shuld nt be treated with il. Flring shuld be level and in gd cnditin. If there are any variances in level f mre than ¼ inch, this can lead t a trip and fall. Carpeting has the best slip resistance rating, but shuld be kept clean and free frm hles, rips and tears. CM (12/11) Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces griskresurces.cm 5

6 Carpeting als shuld be adequately stretched t prevent it frm bunching and becming a trip hazard. This pht shws a difference in flring surfaces frm carpet t wd tile. Ptential slip and fall hazards exist due t the different flring surfaces installed in a cmmn pathway. Ideally, the surfaces shuld be cnsistent. Als nte the high degree f smthness t the hardwd flring, which als culd lead t a slip and fall. LIGHTING Many senir living cmmunities may have activities that can run int the late evening hurs. Therefre, peple ften find themselves using r leaving during times when there is little r n natural light. Inadequate lighting can be a majr cntributr t slips and falls, as hazards can be difficult, if nt impssible, t see when prper lighting is nt prvided. Illuminatin f interir and exterir walking surfaces shuld include the fllwing: Lighting is measured in ft candles. At a minimum, 10 ft candles shuld be mandatry fr all lighting. Higher levels f illuminatin may be needed in high use areas. Lighting shuld be prvided fr walkways, parking lts, stairways, hallways and basements. Lk fr shadws that may be created and adjust lighting accrdingly. In stairwells, prvide a light switch at the tp and the bttm f the stairs whenever feasible. Inspect all lighting n a daily basis and replace light fixtures r bulbs that d nt wrk. This pht shws an example f gd exterir lighting fr an exterir set f stairs. Lights n this set f stairs are placed at the tp and bttm f the stairs t prvide adequate illuminatin. 6 griskresurces.cm Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces CM (12/11)

7 OTHER WALKING SURFACE HAZARDS Miscellaneus slip and fall hazards that may be less bvius than a mre cmmn area, like a set f stairs, can be present. Cnducting a thrugh inspectin f the entire facility and schl grunds is imprtant, as these miscellaneus hazards are ften the areas mst likely fr a fall t ccur, as they are cmmnly verlked. The fllwing items are examples f miscellaneus walking surface hazards that shuld be lked fr when cnducting inspectins. Access cvers used t gain access t utilities shuld be present and flush with the surface. Drain cvers that are typically fund in parking lts usually have wide penings t prvide drainage. This creates a severe trip hazard, especially with high-heeled shes. Grates shuld have penings n greater than ½ inch; and they shuld be painted a cntrasting clr, such as yellw. Electrical, telephne, and micrphne crds shuld be ruted arund walkways and drways. Where this is nt pssible, they shuld be securely taped dwn r cvered with crd prtectrs. Whenever pssible, use crdless micrphnes t eliminate excessive crds. ( ) 2011 GuideOne Risk Resurces fr Health Care, a divisin f Lutheran Trust, Church Asset Management. All rights reserved. This material is fr infrmatinal purpses nly. It is nt intended t give specific legal r risk management advice, nr are any suggested checklists r actins plans intended t include r address all pssible risk management expsures r slutins. Yu are encuraged t cnsult with yur wn attrney r ther expert cnsultants fr a prfessinal pinin specific t yur situatin. The pht n the left shws a drainage hle that shuld have a prtective cvering installed. The pht n the right shws electrical and audi cables placed n the stairs and walking surface that shuld be ruted away frm the walking area, taped t the flr r prvided with crd prtectrs. Areas such as these create unnecessary trip and fall hazards and shuld be crrected. Elevatrs shuld be adjusted s that they are even with the flr surface. Hles and depressins frmed as a result f settling shuld be mnitred and filled in. Old psts, temprary ple supprts, etc. shuld be remved. These nly create unnecessary trip and fall hazards. Sprinkler heads used fr irrigatin shuld be level with the grund surface when nt in use. GuideOne Risk Resurces fr Health Care 1111 Ashwrth Rad West Des Mines, Iwa CM (12/11) Slip and Fall Preventin: Walking Surfaces griskresurces.cm 7