Slips, trips and falls update 2013 Simple solutions to these common causes of injury at work
Work Safe Week 2013 For the respect of others please ensure your mobile phone is switched off or on silent. In the event of an emergency a Convention Centre team member will direct us to the nearest Evacuation Assembly Area which is Flinders Wharf Park (across the new Yarra River Footbridge) or John Batman Park. Please remain seated until directed to leave. Please note recording of this session is not permitted. Presentations for most seminars will be available on our website after the conclusion of Work Safe Week 2013. Later this afternoon you ll receive an email inviting you to complete our evaluation. We ask you to complete this and help us to improve Work Safe Week. As a thank you, you ll go into the draw to win a $100 Coles Group and Myer gift card.
Slips, trips and falls update 2013 Simple solutions to these common causes of injury at work Alan Duffett, Senior Ergonomist, WorkSafe Victoria
Today s session How slips, trips and falls commonly occur Understanding the risks What you need to do to make your workplace safer
The basics of falls Falls often: occur at the same level or low heights result from slips or trips occur from a low height onto another surface result in serious injuries, even deaths Prevention can be simple and inexpensive
The basics of slips and trips Walking Heel strike Toe push off Centre of gravity
How often are these injuries happening? Standardised claims reported July 2011 to June 2013 at 31 Aug 2013 MECHANISM OF INJURY CLAIMS % Payments to Aug13 % Falls, Trips and Slips 11673 20.3 $169,945,299 21 Hitting Objects 2194 3.8 $21,443,130 2.6 Being Hit by Moving Object 7515 13 $102,277,625 12.6 Sound and Pressure 3289 5.7 $30,254,784 3.7 Manual handling 23457 40.7 $317,357,298 39.2 Exposure to Mental Stress Factors 5582 9.7 $95,046,145 11.7 Other Mechanism 3919 6.8 $73,891,558 9.1 All 57629 100 $810,215,839 100 Average cost of a slip/trip/fall claim is estimated at $52,000
STF by Industry 1% 1% 1% 3% 3% 2% 1% 15% E Construction Q Health Care and Social Assistance 4% C Manufacturing P Education and Training 4% I Transport, Postal and Warehousing O Public Administration and Safety F Wholesale Trade 4% 13% G Retail Trade N Administrative and Support Services R Arts and Recreation Services 5% H Accommodation and Food Services M Professional, Scientific and Technical Services S Other Services 6% A Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing L Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 12% D Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services J Information Media and Telecommunications 7% K Financial and Insurance Services B Mining 8% 10%
What types of injuries are caused? 7% 3% 0% 9% Musculoskeletal Disorders Fractures 22% 59% Contusion/Crushing Other injuries/diseases Open Wound Digestive system (including hernia)
The role of employers and workers Employers #1 Focus on eliminating or minimising the risks before trying to modify people s behaviour. Workers Take care to protect themselves and others
Others also have responsibilities Who selects floor surfaces at your workplace? Who maintains the floor surfaces?
Case Study Hairdressing salon CONTAMINATION: Floor contaminated by hair in the cutting area and water in the washing area CLEANING: Regular sweeping and nightly washing of floor FLOOR SURFACE: Highly polished concrete floor with sealer ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Mottled appearance may mask dirt and hair and shiny gloss may hide water HUMAN FACTORS: Rushing from one area to another FOOTWEAR: Fashion footwear worn by clients not in control of employer
Case Study Shopping centre management HAZARDS Contamination Cleaning Floor surfaces Environmental factors, wind & rain etc Human factors customers and store employees and delivery persons Footwear CONTROLS Engage cleaners Specify schedule of cleaners Specify cleaning regime Regularly test slipperiness of floor surfaces
Assessing and controlling risks
Common slip hazards
Common slip hazards
Controlling slip hazards Cleaning Procedures Use appropriate cleaning substances/methods to prevent slipperiness. Follow floor manufacturer s recommendations Barricade & sign wet area (only use when warning and cleaning) Dry wipe floor Clean spills immediately General cleaning at times of least traffic
Controlling slip hazards Footwear Ramps
Consider the type of work being done
Common trip hazards Walking surfaces and housekeeping
Steps and stairs
Common fall hazards Working around trucks Unsuitable equipment Inappropriate ladders Jumping from height
Fall controls when working around trucks
Vehicle access No jumping! Step down carefully while facing the equipment Keep three points of contact at all times
Other causes of falls Unsuitable equipment
Unsuitable chairs Glides Pressure brake castor
Some fall controls
General approach to risk controls Injuries from slips, trips and falls potentially fatal or very serious Make regular inspections, encourage reporting, fix problems Control risk quickly Think about how to get items up and down safely when planning storage Investigate and act on all incidents (even those where a slip or trip did not result in a fall). This will help prevent further injuries.
More on our website
Work Safe Week 2013 Don t forget the evaluation form that you will receive via email. We ask you to complete this and help us to improve Work Safe Week. As a thank you, you ll go into the draw to win a $100 Coles Group and Myer gift card.