prevent falls – Risk Management 365

Preventing Falls

People do things all the time that may cause them to fall. Falls can lead to injuries and can stop someone from doing what he or she enjoys. The good news is that many falls can be prevented.

What Puts Someone at Risk for Falling?

There can be problems in the environment, such as:

Poor lighting
Stairs that may be too steep or not in good repair
Floor surfaces that are uneven—for example, moving from a hardwood floor to a carpet
Outside surfaces that are uneven—for example, a sidewalk

Falls can also be caused by health issues, such as:

Balance, hearing, or vision changes
Muscle weakness or numbness
Normal aging
A fall in the past
Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, or other problems
Some medications
A history of falls

via Preventing Falls.

Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention

Most people have a friend or relative who has fallen, or maybe you’ve fallen yourself. Falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional death in homes and communities, resulting in more than 25,000 fatalities in 2009. The risk of falling, and fall-related problems, rises with age and is a serious issue in homes and communities. Take the time to remove slip, trip and fall hazards to keep your family safe.

Common locations for falls:

Doorways
Ramps
Cluttered hallways
Areas with heavy traffic
Uneven surfaces
Areas prone to wetness or spills
Unguarded heights
Unstable work surfaces
Ladders
Stairs

Fall prevention tips:

Secure electrical and phone cords out of traffic areas
Remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats to keep them from slipping
Remove tripping hazards (paper, boxes, toys, clothes, shoes) from stairs and walkways
Periodically check the condition of walkways and steps, and repair damages immediately
Never stand on a chair, table or other surface on wheels
Clean up all spills immediately

via Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention, Fact Sheets & Statistics.

What can you do to avoid falling at work?

You can reduce the risk of slipping on wet flooring by:

taking your time and paying attention to where you are going
adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing
walking with the feet pointed slightly outward
making wide turns at corners

You can reduce the risk of tripping by:

keeping walking areas clear from clutter or obstructions
keeping flooring in good conditon
always using installed light sources that provide sufficient light for your tasks
using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light
ensuring that things you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc.

via Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls : OSH Answers.

Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention

Common locations for falls:

Doorways
Ramps
Cluttered hallways
Areas with heavy traffic
Uneven surfaces
Areas prone to wetness or spills
Unguarded heights
Unstable work surfaces
Ladders
Stairs

Fall prevention tips:

Secure electrical and phone cords out of traffic areas
Remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats to keep them from slipping
Remove tripping hazards (paper, boxes, toys, clothes, shoes) from stairs and walkways
Periodically check the condition of walkways and steps, and repair damages immediately
Never stand on a chair, table or other surface on wheels
Clean up all spills immediately

via Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention, Fact Sheets & Statistics.

Minimizing the Risk of Ladder Falls

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal, unintentional injuries, affecting nearly 8 million individuals in 2005, according to the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.” Many of these falls involve ladders. Because a ladder is considered a basic tool, some people may discount the dangerous nature of them. However, if proper safety precautions are not taken, ladder users can easily fall and suffer serious injuries or even death. According to the Chicago-based American Ladder Institute, the safest way to climb a ladder to avoid slips or falls is to maintain three points of contact. This means that during both ascent and descent, a climber should have either a hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot, in contact with the ladder at all times. This way, if one hand or foot slips, the climber will still be secure.

The following tips can also help minimize the risk of a fall:

Unless the ladder is specifically designed for such a purpose, do not allow more than one climber on a ladder at one time.
Never jump or slide down a ladder more than one rung at a time.
Regularly clean the soles of shoes to maximize traction.
Use towlines, a tool belt or an assistant to supply materials and tools.
Climb ladders slowly and deliberately, avoiding sudden movements.
Climbers should keep the center of the stomach between the ladder side rails when climbing.
Do not overreach or lean to the side while working, as this could cause the ladder to tip.

via Safety Tip Minimizing the risk of ladder falls.

Protect Children From Falls

We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their full potential. Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child injury, like falls, is a step toward this goal.

Thankfully, many falls can be prevented, and parents and caregivers can play a key role in protecting children.

Prevention Tips

Play safely. Falls on the playground are a common cause of injury. Check to make sure that the surfaces under playground equipment are safe, soft, and well- maintained (such as wood chips or sand, not dirt or grass).
Make your home safer. Use home safety devices, such as guards on windows that are above ground level, stair gates, and guard rails. These devices can help keep a busy, active child from taking a dangerous tumble.
Keep sports safe. Make sure your child wears protective gear during sports and recreation. For example, when in-line skating, use wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and a helmet.
Supervision is key. Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment, whether you’re at home or out to play.

via CDC – Injury – Safe Child – Falls.

Home Safety: 5 Tips for Preventing Falls

Falls are the No. 1 cause of home injuries and death in the U.S., according to the Home Safety Council. The two groups most at risk for falls are children younger than 5 and adults over the age of 70.

Try these strategies to prevent falls at home:

Make the bathroom a no-slip zone. Install grab bars and non-slip mats or appliques in the tub or shower. Use a bathmat with a nonskid bottom and clean up any water that splashes on floors right away.
Safety-proof stairs. Remove clutter from stairs and walkways. Stairs inside and out should have handrails, preferably on both sides. Have good lighting over stairs.
For babies and toddlers, install hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Pressure-mounted gates are less effective. Gates should have the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) Certification Seal. Never use accordion-style gates.
Put a guard on indoor lofts, landings, balconies, and stair banisters if your child can slip between the posts. Plexiglas is a good option because it bends, is easy to cut, and doesn’t shatter.
Toss the throw rugs. Throw rugs are a big tripping hazard for young and old people. At the very least, tape or tack them to the floor.
Leave a light on. Ideally, have night-lights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and halls.
Make windows safe. New York City cut children’s deaths from window-related falls by a third after requiring window guards. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls. Install window guards with quick-release mechanisms (in case of fire) on upper floor windows. Keep furniture away from windows, especially in children’s room, and always watch children around windows.

via Home Safety: Preventing Burns, Cuts, and More.