Statistically speaking, more people die of falls at work and at home each year than from any other non vehicle relat­ed cause. Over 13,000 deaths are the result of a fall each year, and 70% of these are due to a lack of ordinary or reasonable maintenance. More than 256,000 non-fatal slip, trip & fall injuries result in one or more lost workdays per incident. Falling to a different level and stairs are the most common category of event.

Prior to the slip, trip or fall, we must first look at the “simple” act of walking, a semi-automatic response, more habit than thought, and the activity most people are en­gaged in prior to the slip, trip or fall. Walking comprises 3 components: stride (length of step), gait (tempo or rhythm), and speed (amount of force). All 3 of these com­ponents impact the likelihood and seriousness of a slip, trip or fall.

Now let’s look at slips, trips and falls.

• Slips: Occur when there is too little friction between an individual’s feet and the walking surface.

• Trips: Occur when the forward/backward movement of the foot is interrupted, causing a loss of balance.

• Falls: Occur when an individual loses their center of gravity or balance.

The risk factors involved with walking that affect a per­son’s chances of a negative event include but are not lim­ited to vision, light, color, age, balance, and footwear.

Note:  It should be noted that we are making the assump­tion that the person is paying attention to what they are doing. Distracted walking is not the subject of this article.

We typically scan about 10-20 feet ahead to identify changes or deformi­ties in the walking surface, and our visual sharpness diminishes with age. Adequate lighting is required and the need for additional ambient light in­creases with age.

differentiation. A per­son’s balance is affected by arm function and freedom of movement, therefore carrying items will affect a person’s balance and possibly their vision. 

Personal characteristics an employer may not be able to control that will affect a person’s balance include inner ear conditions, medications, and visual acuity or other vision disorders.

Footwear is an item an employer can control that can af­fect slip resistance and balance. Consider sole material and configuration, heel size and height when developing a footwear policy. “Reasonable” footwear for work condi­tions is a policy that employers should consistently en­force to control and reduce workplace injuries and fatali­ties.

Employees should be directed to constantly evaluate, recognize and report work environments for slip, trip and fall hazards. This would include but not be limited to:

• Slippery or wet floors

• Uneven floor surfaces

• Cluttered or obstructed work areas/passageways

• Poorly maintained walkways

• Inadequate lighting

• Unguarded floor openings and holes

• Damaged or inadequate stairs and/or stairways and rails

• Elevated work surfaces which do not have standard guardrails

• Inadequate aisles

• Improper use of lad­ders and/or stepstools

Education and training should be ongoing, and discussion among employees should be encouraged concerning risks and hazards in work areas, including gathering information about near miss incidents as leading indicators about potential future serious incidents. All slip, trip and fall events should be thoroughly investigated with goals for improvements established. In summary, slip, trip and fall events can be dramatically reduced by ensuring that all staff are aware that slips, trips and falls are the number one type of employee injury, and that all employees have some type of active involvement in inspection activity concerning this issue.

When unsafe conditions are reported, the employer should make corrective actions a priority. Maintenance of walking/working surfaces is everybody’s responsibility; implement a quick and easy way to report changes in conditions. Make slips, trips and falls an item on the Safety Committee’s training agenda, and ensure all incidents are properly investigated. Finally, document a written trip, slip and fall reduction goal such as:

“To reduce the number and severity of injuries due to slips, trips and falls by improving conditions inside and outside the facility and improving employee exposure awareness for the safety, health and well-being of all employees."

Employers who are required to keep the Injury and Illness log, must post Form 300A, the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, in a workplace every year from February 1 to April 30.

Sharon Palmer was ap­pointed as Connecticut De­partment of Labors (CTDOL) Commissioner in August 2012 and began work on October 5. A “firm believer in the value of edu­cation and life-long learn­ing”, Commissioner Palmer earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph University; her master’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University; and has been named a Fellow with the Connecticut Education Fellowship Program. A resident of Quaker Hill, she is the immediate past president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and a strong advocate for Connecti­cut's working men and women. Commissioner Palmer pledges to continue to move the CTDOL forward in its mission to protect the rights of working peo­ple, as well as to strengthen the services this agency provides to employers.  




Also in August 2012, Gwendolyn Bernard joined the CONN-OSHA family. Working as a Clerk Typist, Gwen works closely with the Occupational Health Grant participants.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Please coordinate the totals for your site and have one course evaluation completed per site.

Information Provided: A standard training PowerPoint, Fact Sheets, Checklist and Quick Cards have been provided electronically and are posted on the www.csr-em.org homepage and on their Facebook page.

The material(s) provided are recommended but are not required to be used. In addition, links to other educational and training sites will be attached along with inspection tips. The supporting documents also can be found on the CONN-OSHA web site under Alerts.

http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/oshalert.htm

Hazard Corner

In March of 2012, a Connecticut Depart­ment of Transportation (DOT) road maintenance crew employee was struck and killed by a truck on Route 8 North in Waterbury, Ct. The employee was in the right break­down lane of the highway picking up road debris, when the 18 wheeler swerved and struck him. The employee was caught between his vehicle and the tires of the 18 wheeler. 

The State Police charged the truck driver with:

• Failing to drive in the proper lane       

• Making a false statement to police

• Interfering with an officer

• Misconduct with a motor vehicle and

• Two hours of service violations (mandatory rest period)

The employee was in the breakdown lane of the highway, the truck strobe lights were on, and he was wearing the proper personal protective equipment. He was also fol­lowing the procedures set forth by DOT on how to per­form this type of operation safely. The DOT provides their staff with the equipment, training and education to work on the state’s streets and highways. Unfortunately, the state cannot control the actions of other drivers.

To all roadway travelers, be aware of your environment and the hazards that it may pose. Follow the appropriate safety procedures and keep yourselves and others safe.

CONN-OSHA QUARTERLY Training Update

• Safe Driving – Get There Safely EVERY Time March 6, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to noon Work-related vehicle crashes are the leading
  cause of occupational fatalities according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The goal of this session is to increase awareness of the need for, and the benefits of safe driving.

• OSHA Recordkeeping March 7, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to noon At this workshop, you will learn how to fill out the OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses accurately and correctly.

• Work Zone Safety April 10, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to noon Basic guidelines for work zone traffic control and the requirements of Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) with particular emphasis on short term work sites on roads and streets in rural and small urban areas will be presented.

• Trenching & Excavation May 1, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to noon This workshop will provide an overview of 29 CFR 1926.650-652
  excavations, including the role of the competent person. The session is designed to assist participants in identifying hazards associated with excavations and related activities.

• Confined Space Safety May 15, 2013 from10:00 a.m. to noon This workshop discusses the basic requirements and procedures
  involved with permit-required confined spaces as detailed in 29 CFR 1910.146.

• Breakfast Roundtable   This discussion group meets the third Tuesday of every month from 8:15 am to 9:45 am.  Pre-registration is required.  To be placed on the e-mail distribution list, contact John Able at able.john@dol.gov

Classes are free and held at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT in Conference Room A/B.  To register, contact John Able at able.john@dol.gov or Catherine Zinsser at zinsser.catherine@dol.gov.  Pre-registration is required. A Photo I.D. is required to allow entry into a public building. For more training information, visit the CONN-OSHA web site  www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/osha.htm 

To receive the Quarterly electronically, contact gregory.grayson@dol.gov.  In the subject line type “subscribe” and provide your e-mail address.  You may also reach us by phone at (860) 263-6900 or visit our website at http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/osha.htm   

Connecticut Department of Labor - OSHA
38 Wolcott Hill Road 
Wethersfield, CT   06109 

CONN-OSHA-Quarterly Index

Last Updated: April 17, 2018