Causes and Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls
By Leasa Hachey
Bumps and bruises, sprains and strains, fractured bones — these are all injuries that can result from slips, trips and falls. More serious injuries can also occur, such as head injuries and impalement.
What causes slips, trips and falls?
More than 69% of all workplace falls happen on level ground when workers slip or trip and lose their footing. This may be caused by uneven surfaces, objects in the way, poor lighting or substances such as oil, water or ice.
Falls from vehicles can happen from a number of areas, including the cab, between the tractor and the trailer, or at the rear of the trailer. One of the most common ways truck drivers are injured is in jumping from the truck while exiting.
Jumping from a height of four feet – typical cab height – will result in hitting the ground with a force of between 7 and 12 times your body weight. For example, a 200 lb. person would hit the ground with a force of 1,400 to 2,400 lbs. This can cause strain on the knees and back with many long-term effects.
Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention
While falls are the most common workplace incidents, they are also among the most preventable. The number one way to stop falls is to eliminate the hazards which cause them.
Preventing falls at loading docks
• Practice good housekeeping, such as properly disposing of string, shrink wrap and other debris, both in and around trucks and shipping docks.
• Look for marked floor transitions at dock edges.
• Replace barriers at dock openings after handling freight.
• Use stairs or ladders to access dock level.
• Provide adequate lighting in and around the trucks.
• Equip freight beds with hand holds and stepladders.
• Prohibit jumping from the freight bed or from the dock to the ground.
• Maintain dock plates in good working order.
• Post signs directing drivers to walkways.
• Keep shipping doors closed until trucks are parked and wheels chocked.
Preventing falls from trucks
• Always use three points of contact to exit your vehicle.
• Stay focused on your entry or exit.
• Face towards the cab and use the steps.
• Take a look at the steps and ground below before exiting, watching for slick spots with snow, ice, oil or grease and make sure there are no debris or potholes that you might step in.
• Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic before exiting.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Review paperwork before exiting truck or shipping areas.
• Clean up any spilled fuel on cab steps.
Prevent falls while securing a load
• Install and use tarping stations when applicable.
• Carry a ladder to access the top of the load.
• Use a forklift to get tarps on top of the load.
• Inspect and replace worn straps and chains.
• Inspect and replace bent cargo bars, worn pad ends or damaged locking mechanisms.
• Upgrade to ratchet winch tie downs to reduce the hazards from using a winch bar.
• Maintain solid footing and a stable body position.
