Slip, trip, and fall accidents can occur at work, home, or in a variety of other situations, such as school. The Department of Labor reported that the second leading cause of accidental death in this country is due to these types of accidents. Unfortunately, slip, trip, and fall accidents occur every year within the United States. The cost of injuries due to falls alone, however, amounts to an estimated $70 billion, according to the National Safety Council.
The Annual Occurrence of Workplace Injuries
There are approximately 12,000 workplace injuries that occur due to slipping, tripping, and falling. Falls, for example, account for roughly 25% of the workplace injury claims that are reported. Over 17% of these falls result in disabling injuries. Workers 55 and older tend to sustain the most injuries due to slipping than from other types of situations.
Contributing Factors to Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents</h3>
When someone experiences a fall, they are either falling on the same level or from an elevated point. While 35% of falls occur from an elevated level, most, or 65% of these, occur on the same level. Floors and flooring materials can contribute to these same-level falls. This is particularly the case when floors are wet or damaged. The Consumer Product Safety Commission contends that over two million of the falls that occur every year are contributed to by floors and flooring materials.
Reducing the Incidence of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
There are measures that can be taken to reduce the incidence of slipping, tripping, and falling injuries. Jessup safety track tape, for instance, is available in different styles and for a variety of applications. In addition to being used for ramps, Jessup safety track tape can be used for flat surfaces and stairs. In the event that stairs are smooth and slippery, non slip stair treads can be installed. Safety treads for outdoor steps are beneficial as are green or yellow fluorescent reflective tape for dark areas. Using this type of tape can also increase visibility at night. it’s important to note that these products can be easily removed so that they can be placed elsewhere when needed.
