Injuries can occur at any workplace. UMass Lowell follows the OSHA standard for maintaining general industry around walking/working surfaces, etc. to minimize the potential for slips, trips, and falls.
All UML employees should be able to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions. Please review the topics below, and mitigation strategies regarding slips, trips, and falls.
Slips
A slip is the loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk/work on. Loss of traction is the leading cause of workplace slips. Slips can be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice or snow.
Slips are more likely to occur when you hurry or run, wear the wrong kind of shoes, or don’t pay attention to where you’re walking.
You can help avoid slips by following these safety precautions:
- Practice safe walking skills. Take short steps on slippery surfaces to keep your center of balance under you and point your feet slightly outward.
- Clean up or report spills right away. Even minor spills can be very dangerous.
- Don’t let grease accumulate at your work place.
- Be extra cautious on smooth surfaces such as newly waxed floors. Also be careful walking on loose carpeting or wet surfaces.
- Obey signage such as "Caution wet floor."
- Avoid distractions while walking (texting, phone use, etc.)
Trips
Trips occur whenever your foot hits an object and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance.
Trips are more likely to happen when you are in a hurry and don’t pay attention to where you’re going.
To prevent trip hazards:
- Make sure you can see where you are walking. Don’t carry loads that you cannot see over.
- Avoid distractions while walking (texting, phone use, etc.)
- Keep walking and working areas well lit, especially at night.
- Keep the work place clean and tidy. Store materials and supplies in the appropriate storage areas.
- Arrange furniture and office equipment so that it doesn’t interfere with walkways or pedestrian traffic in your area.
- Properly maintain walking areas, and alert appropriate authorities regarding potential maintenance related hazards.
Falls
Falls occur whenever you move too far off your center of balance.
Falls account for more workplace fatalities than any other reason.
To avoid falls consider the following measures:
- Don’t jump off landings or loading docks. Use the stairs
- Repair or replace stairs or handrails that are loose or broken
- Keep passageways and aisles clear of clutter and well lit.
- Wear shoes with appropriate non-slip soles.
- Avoid distractions while walking (texting, phone use, etc.)