11. Concrete examples of tumble prevention

1) Slipping on spilled water or oil

Spilled water or oils on the floor can cause slips and falls. Always ensure that there is no water or oil spilled on the floor. Place absorbent mats in areas prone to collecting water or oil.

If you inadvertently spill water or another liquid, you must wipe it up. Leaving cleanup to janitorial personnel as an excuse to leave spilled liquids can lead to others passing through the area to tumble and sustain injury or fractures.

2) Tripping on exposed cords, materials, and other items on the floor

Tripping on electric cords and other materials exposed on floors can cause tumbles.

Preventing this requires ensuring that cords and the like do not cut across paths used in work spaces. Where they absolutely must, they should be embedded in the floor or placed underneath sloped covers.

Hallways must also be regularly inspected to ensure that covers and other equipment are not loose.

3) Missing a step on a staircase

In some cases, we may miss a step on a staircase and tumble. These accidents often lead to major injury like bone fracture. Check these factors when considering how to prevent tumble accidents on staircases:

1. Is a non-slip surface or guard installed?
2. Is the staircase too steep?
3. Is there a handrail?
4. Ensure that the handrail is always used when ascending and descending stairs.
5. Always keep one hand free.
6. Ensure that lighting allows for clearly seeing changes in elevation, and inspect the position of lighting.

4) Slipping on a frozen surface

In winter, tumbles on frozen surfaces increase. This is particularly frequent in the early morning, where the temperature can reach around freezing. Some people slip on frozen roads while making a short transit from a parking lot to the office entrance, sustaining fractures or major injuries.

Preventing slips on frozen surfaces requires assessing paths and work spaces to determine whether they are prone to freezing and taking appropriate measures to prevent this.

1. Place gravel or other substrate to prevent the surface from freezing
2. Place mats with non-freeze functionality in hallways and entrances prone to freezing.
3. Frozen roads are extremely slippery, so long rubber boots with a good friction coefficient or other non-slip footwear is advised.
4. Footwear should have non-slip materials, cleats or other metal fixtures, and deep welts.
5. When walking on frozen surfaces, take small steps and place the entire sole on the ground, taking time to move slowly and without haste.
6. Placing the hands in the pockets or having both hands full with luggage or other equipment prevents you from being able to protect yourself in the event of an accident. Wear gloves instead of using your pockets, and select work methods that ensure you will not have both hands full at both times.
7. For early mornings where freezing is expected, administrators and managers should caution personnel about avoiding tumbling when arriving at the office, such as though reminder e-mails.