Business stalls if employees slip, trip or fall
Slip, trip and fall incidents are among the leading cause of occupational injuries nationwide, but they are the leading cause of occupational injuries at UNC Charlotte. In 2017, 39 percent of occupational injuries on campus were the result of a slip, trip or fall. These seemingly minor incidents can lead to pain and serious discomfort. If an employee is out of work, it affects the productivity and efficiency of the corresponding campus unit or department.
Factors that can contribute to a slip, trip or fall incident are typically related to the area’s conditions or an action that an individual takes.
Common contributing acts an individual may take include:
- Not paying attention while walking
- Straying from designated pathways
- Carrying objects in such a way the path ahead cannot be seen
- Keeping an area cluttered or messy
Common contributing conditions include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Ice or snow
- Inadequate lighting
- Obstructions across pathways, like a cord
- Uneven walkways or holes in the pathway, like missing brick pavers
Prevention is key to reducing the possibility of injury. While the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office assists the campus with reducing hazards to prevent injuries, individuals are accountable for their own safety and well-being, too.
Below are a few tips to help avoid a slip, trip or fall.
- When walking, individuals should pay attention to what is in front of them; reading can wait
- When using the stairs, individuals should use the handrails
- If it is wet weather outdoors, individuals should wipe their feet on floor mats to dry them and use umbrella bags if available
- When carrying items, individuals should hold objects so as not to obstruct their view ahead
- If something is spilled, individuals should clean up the spill immediately or contact someone to clean up the spill
- When reaching for a high object, individuals should use a ladder instead of furniture
- When using a ladder, individuals should use the proper type of ladder for the job and place the ladder in the proper location
- When individuals identify a tripping hazard, they should correct or remove the hazard
Additional information on slips, trips and falls is available on the EHS website. For questions, email EHSoffice@uncc.edu or phone at 704-687-1111.