FACTS
- People working in predominantly wet conditions should wear footwear with a pattern that is deep enough to penetrate surface water and make direct contact with a floor. However, people working in predominantly dry conditions should use footwear having flat-bottom construction to ensure maximum contact area with the floor.
- Ten common slipping hazards include spills of liquid or solid materials; wet cleaning methods; rain or snow inside doorways; changes in floor surfaces, such as joins between carpeting and wood flooring; a change from a wet to a dry surface; dusty or sandy surfaces; the incline of a ramp; loose/bumpy flooring; low light; and unsuitable footwear.
- Shoes with urethane or rubber soles have greater slip resistance than shoes with vinyl or leather soles.
- Five housekeeping practices that can help reduce slipping hazards in the workplace include removal of debris, snow and ice; prompt cleanup of spills; regular cleaning of floors; providing mats in areas prone to getting wet—such as building entrances; and cleaning the casters on wheeled carts.
- It takes about seven minutes for a wet-mopped spill to dry, meaning that the area is going to be extremely slippery during that time. A better solution is to use a dry paper towel to soak up and dry a spill.
STATS
- 27% of the 900,380 nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work in 2018 were related to slips, trips, and falls.
- 235,740 injuries due to contact with objects and equipment in 2018 were so severe that they resulted in time away from work.
- Workers less than 25 years of age have higher rates of occupational injuries treated in emergency departments than other age groups
- An estimated 2.5 million workers sustained work-related injuries and were treated in emergency departments during 2018.
- Male workers accounted for approximately 65% of the work-related injuries treated in emergency departments.
- Incidence of falls goes up with each decade of life.