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Public Enemy Number One: Slips, Trips and Falls
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Most of us are very
experienced walkers. After all, we've been walking almost all of our
lives. So why is it that simply putting one foot in front of the other to
get from place to place results in so many injuries? After all,
slips, trips and falls are a major cause of injuries, both at work
and away from work. |
- According to OSHA, they cause 15% of
all accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicles.
- Nationally, 10% of all injuries are
caused by slips, trips and falls.
- In Aurora Public Schools,
approximately 20% of our work injuries are due to slips, trips and falls.
Admittedly, some of these injuries
involve falls from ladders, buildings, or other heights. However, most of them
are injuries to folks just walking from one place to another. Why does this
happen?
| We
all recognize that the winter months are especially hazardous due to the
presence of ice and snow, but there are many other factors that contribute to
slips, trips and falls: |
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- Loose, irregular surfaces such as
gravel, shifting floor tiles, and uneven sidewalks, can make it difficult to
maintain your footing.
- Oil, grease and other liquids can make
walking surfaces extremely slick.
- Stairs present a special challenge,
especially those that are taller, shorter, have a smaller tread depth, or
are otherwise irregular.
- Obstructed aisles or walkways present
tripping hazards or require frequent changes of direction, throwing you off
balance.
- Insufficient light can make it
difficult to see obstacles and notice changes in the walking surface.
- Shoes
with slick soles provide insufficient traction, while platform shoes and
high heels increase your vulnerability to uneven surfaces.
- Moving too fast increases the
likelihood you will misjudge a step or encounter a hazard before you have a
chance to notice it.
- Carrying items can both obstruct your
vision and impair your balance.
- Inattention and distraction interfere
with your awareness of all of these hazards and increase your risk of
injury.
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Well, you can't just stop walking. But
there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of slipping, tripping or
falling. You can adapt many of the principals of defensive driving and
apply them to walking. Silly as it may sound, being a "defensive
walker" can help you safely navigate many of the hazards lurking all around
you!
- Scan
your "road" for existing and potential hazards. Just as you do
when you are driving, be aware of others, expect them to get in your way,
and have an out when they do.
- Slow down to negotiate turns, corners,
ice, obstacles, limited visibility and heavy traffic.
- Make sure you have adequate
"tread." Some experts believe up to half of all slips and falls
could be prevented through proper footwear alone!
- Use a detour whenever possible to
avoid ice or wet surfaces.
- Realize that there are hazards
involved in going "off road." A shortcut across the lawn or
through the rocks may not be the best choice.
- Keep your mind focused on what you are
doing!
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Some other strategies
for preventing a fall include:
- Limit your load. Make sure your
load doesn't obstruct your vision. Whenever possible, use wheels of
some kind so you can push or pull your load instead of carrying it.
- Maintain three points of contact
on stairs or ramps by using a handrail.
- Exercise regularly to maintain
strength, flexibility and balance.
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