Solutions to prevent harmful and expensive falls in your facility

When it comes to slips, trips, and falls (STFs), the statistics are scary. Consider that globally, an estimated 684,000 people die each year from falls, with STFs the second-leading cause of unintentional on-the-job fatalities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Although most falls don’t lead to death, 3.7 million of the falls that occur annually worldwide are severe enough to require medical attention, WHO reports. In the United States alone, falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing nearly one-quarter (21.3%) of all visits,, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). 

In addition to causing injuries, falls cost money and result in lost work productivity. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that among the 888,220 nonfatal work injuries in 2019 that resulted in lost workdays, 27% were STF-related. STFs suffered by U.S. workers cost an estimated US$70 billion per year, NFSI figures reveal. 

As the statistics show, the problem is pervasive. Fortunately, facility managers and building service contractors (BSCs) can help prevent STFs. This article provides solutions to protect facility occupants and visitors from harmful and expensive falls. 

Some of the most common causes of STFs include:

Facility managers must ensure the conditions above do not exist or are remedied quickly. An ongoing quality floor care program is a must, along with year-round placement of quality scraper and wiper mats in adequate lengths. 

All flooring has the potential to contribute to STFs. However, floors with a poorly applied or inappropriate finish, or that are badly worn or dirty, may be most risky. Also, polished concrete, terrazzo, and ceramic tiles can be slipperier than other floorings and, therefore, prone to causing more STFs.

STFs occur throughout the year. However, STFs are typically higher in winter in areas that receive a lot of snow and during rainy seasons such as spring. It is vital to make people aware of potential STF hazards with signage to minimize incidents and mitigate potential liability when incidents occur.

All team members should receive comprehensive STF training that:

Yes, cleaning methods and products can increase or decrease the risk of STFs. Some preventative actions include:

An STF risk assessment plan helps identify areas that pose a higher STF risk and ensures maintenance personnel know the proper procedures for preventing and reporting STF incidents. At a minimum, an effective STF risk assessment plan should include:

Mike Sawchuk of Sawchuk Consulting assists BSCs, in-house facility service providers, manufacturers, and distributors in the professional cleaning industry improve their outcomes with insightful, pragmatic solutions. He can be reached at 905-932-6501, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mikesawchuk, or at www.sawchukconsulting.com.

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