Slip and Fall Prevention Begins with Proper Footwear

Dear Safety Group Member

Slip and Fall Prevention Begins with Proper Footwear

A common occupational hazard faced by many workers is slipping, tripping and falling (STF) on slick and uneven surfaces. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that in 2016 alone, 697 workers suffered fatal injuries as a result of falls to a lower level, 134 died from a fall on the same level, and 48.060 were injured sufficiently to require a day or more off from work. Construction workers are seven times more likely to die after falling from height than employees in any other industry but even retail workers are at risk with 29,830 injuries and 29 deaths in 2016.

Predictably, annual workers compensation costs reflect the scope of the problem with more than fifteen (15) percent of claims attributed to STF incidents at an average cost of $22,000 per claim. The potential “hidden” costs to employers, however, are significantly far greater when considering expenses associated with replacing the absent employee, either temporarily or permanently, other employees working overtime, legal fees, and various other administrative expenses.

What precautions should employers take to reduce the possibility of a STF accident? Footwear or more accurately “proper” footwear is the first line of defense against an STF, but no universal shoes exist that will protect workers from all slippery surfaces. Employee work areas must be evaluated to identify the hazards and the supply footwear that is designed to resist them. Workers in a warehouse or storage area, for example, may have far different needs than those working in a manufacturing or production area.

Simply providing generic slip resistant shoes may not be adequately addressing the problem since any manufacturer may claim its products are “slip-resistant” because no global standard exists, nor does OSHA offer any specific guidance regarding footwear anti-slip performance. Fortunately, ASTM F-2913 – Standard Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Friction for Evaluation of Slip Performance of Footwear and Test Surfaces / Flooring Using a Whole Shoe Tester has been developed.

This standard, commonly known as the “Whole Shoe Test”, includes testing footwear in a variety of conditions including, but not limited to, water, ice, oil, grease and other chemicals. It, however, does not measure tripping that may occur due to interlock between the sole and the ground. ANSI testing also does not measure the impact made by runners, floor mats, lighting, the presence or absence of handrails on stairs or platforms, human age or behavior, and other environmental intangibles.

HAMOND GROUP

June 7, 2013 Vol #1 Issue # 1

Fostering awareness of the STF problem should be a component of the company’s safety program. Safety managers and coordinators should stress to employees the importance of spot -checking shoes and boot soles regularly to identify worn or damaged areas that compromise their ability to grip slippery surfaces properly. Those not in good condition must be taken out of service.

Employers should regard slip, trips and falls as a serious occupational hazard and not believe that any footwear deemed to be anti-slip by the manufacturer will “cover all the bases”. Care should be taken when selecting boots and shoes for workers to protect them from slippery surfaces beginning with identifying floor contaminants such as grease, water, oil…etc. Next, select ASTM F-2913 certified products only since high performance, quality footwear will conform to this standard and are designed specifically to counteract these substances. By taking these precautions, the number of slip-related accidents in the workplace should be reduced.

Please direct any questions or concerns to:
The Safety Division at Hamond Safety Management
Anthony Vacchio, avacchio@hamondgroup.com 516-762-4224