Accidental trips and falls are often the results of a sudden lack of concentration brought on by mental preoccupation with internal issues or external distractions. It might be anything from falling down the stairs to tripping over some uneven ground to sliding on the ice.

These things might result in anything from a minor scrape to a life-threatening injury. In other words, the potential for workplace accidental slips and falls can be increased by several factors.

Fortunately, this article covers some of the most common causes of accidental tripping and falling complications and how various workplaces and environments can prevent the likelihood of tripping, falling, or slipping.

Causes of accidental slips, trips, and falls

Loss of grip between your shoe and the ground or accidental brushing up against a stationary or moving item are the most common causes of slips, trips, and trips, which can result in serious injuries.

Accidental tripping and falling can be brought on by many different factors, including:

  • Clutter
  • Wet, greasy, or slick floors
  • Loose, free-floating carpets
  • Accidental leaks or spills
  • Environmental risks- rain, snow, or frost
  • Sloping ground surfaces
  • Uneven brick or tiles
  • Damaged or uneven stairs
  • Loose wires or electrical cables
  • Footwear having a dirty, oily, damp, or muddy sole
  • Uneven or broken stairs; absence of handrails

Complications Resulting from Trip, Slip, and Fall

Listed below are some of the most typical injuries or complications sustained from a fall, trip, or slip:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

You may have a traumatic brain injury when you fall and bang your head on the floor. Some injuries to the brain include concussions, knocks, and bruises; significant injuries involve skull fractures, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or internal bleeding; and anything in between can cause permanent damage to the brain.

Damage to one’s quality of life from a TBI can be severe. Seizures and impaired body control are extreme manifestations of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Fractures

When the power of a collision is sufficient, you can fracture your arms and leg bones. Fractures of the limbs are more common among older people because bones weaken with age. Treatment for a limb fracture is typically invasive surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period.  

A person’s mobility is severely restricted by wearing a cast for several months after surgery. The agony and immobility that follow a broken limb are common consequences.

Ruptured connective tissue, muscles, and tendons

Overusing muscles and ligaments to break a fall is a common cause of injury. These wounds are devastating; treatment typically involves surgery and several months of physiotherapy. After these kinds of injuries, patients almost never fully regain their mobility.

Injuries to the Shoulder or Neck

When people fall and land on their shoulders or necks, they often suffer painful injuries. Another common cause is exertion from attempting to stop a fall. Strains of the muscles to spine fractures; even paralysis can result from an injury to the neck.

Dislocation of the shoulder joint, nerve damage, and collarbone fractures are the most common shoulder injuries sustained in falls. Injuries to the neck and shoulders, even when slight, can be excruciating and frequently necessitate medical intervention.

Spinal Cord Trauma

A spinal cord injury can occur if a person falls and strikes their back on the ground or tries to escape a fall by twisting and overextending themselves. Slipped discs, paralysis, and other neurological complications can result from trauma to the spinal cord.

Injuries to the spinal cord can be extremely challenging to cure, leading to excruciating, ongoing pain. In addition, there are a variety of unwelcome consequences, such as immobility, muscle spasms, and exhaustion.

Here are some additional injuries you may experience after a fall or slip:

  • Knee injuries
  • Superficial bruises and cuts
  • Open wounds or lacerations
  • Shoulder, knee, or wrist dislocation

To manage most of these injuries, an individual must learn how to administer basic first aid. Even better, ensure you have a quality first aid kit with the emergency management requirements.

How to Prevent Slips and Falls

Slips, stumbles, and falls are common but sometimes overlooked when considering potential job hazards. These mishaps are a leading source of work absences due to injury and can even be fatal.

Here are some strategies on how to prevent slips and falls:

Reduce Traction Loss or Slippery Floors

Most reported injuries to government organizations are related to the surfaces people walk on. These accidents typically take place on the following surfaces:

  • Kitchens and dining halls
  • Parking Garages
  • Floating floor systems
  • Slippery shower facilities

Also, the traction on outdoor surfaces changes once the weather changes. Moisture brought in on people’s shoes may wreak havoc on furniture and carpets inside. The efficiency of traction control measures must be regularly assessed. Therefore:

  • Maintain a spotless and well-maintained parking lot and walkway
  • When possible, apply nonslip coatings or use sticky striping material

Here are also some indoor slip and fall control measures:

  • When necessary, put up “Wet Floor” signage.
  • Put down some nonslip adhesive tape in those tricky spots.
  • Put moisture-absorbing carpets with beveled edges at the entrances
  • Immediately wipe up any accidents. Make sure there is a plan in place for what to do if someone spills food or drink

Ensure Proper Housekeeping

Maintaining a clean environment is crucial for many reasons. Cleanliness and security are interdependent. Poor housekeeping practices in your business can lead to more accidents, higher insurance premiums, and even fines from regulators. The cleanliness and orderliness of a company’s physical spaces indicate a well-run safety program.

Maintaining a clean home is a daily habit. It’s a regular practice that employees incorporate into their everyday workflow. There are only three basic stages to developing a successful cleaning routine.

  • Make preparations in advance: You should be aware of the tasks at hand, the people carrying them out, and the desired outcome for your work area.
  • Distribute duties: Although it’s preferable for each worker to take responsibility for their cleanup, there may be times when designating a specific individual or team is essential.
  • Set up a system: Do cleaning and tidying up a regular part of your schedule.

Image alt text: Keeping a neat or tidy workplace for improved safety

Author credits: By ENERGY.GOV, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Provide and Sustain Adequate Illumination

Accident rates are higher in workplaces with inadequate lighting. Maintaining a tidy and well-lit workplace is imperative, so ensure you install adequate lighting wherever people will be walking or working.

Keep the space surrounding the light switches free so they may be easily reached in an emergency. Make sure there is constant illumination by fixing broken lights, switches, and extension cords as soon as possible.

Choose Appropriate Footwear

Fall safety is greatly aided by the footwear we choose to wear. Slips and falls can be prevented by gauging how slippery the soles are and what kind of heels are worn.

Incorrectly tied shoelaces are a safety hazard. When looking into an injury that may have been caused by a fall, it is essential to consider whether or not the person’s footwear may have had a role. Workers should wear safe and practical shoes for the Work they do.

Keep Hallways, Walkways, and Aisles Clear

Tripping over obstructions, litter, materials, or machinery in aisles, hallways, entrances, or stairwells is another common cause of injury. The best way to prevent the spread of such dangers and keep workplaces and public thoroughfares safe is to maintain a clean and orderly environment at all times.

Having standards or processes in place and setting aside a cleaning schedule is essential, especially if debris and trash are generated as an outcome or byproduct of the activity.

Therefore, conduct workplace risk inspections for slip and trip hazards on a regular basis, and remind your employees to engage in safe work habits such as locking file cabinet drawers and picking up dropped items.

Personal Behavior Modification

This is the most challenging health problem to cure. Besides, it’s human nature and easy to get sidetracked by whatever comes to mind or get caught up in juggling several tasks simultaneously. If you’re in a rush, you can walk or run too quickly, increasing your risk of slipping or falling.

Many accidents occur because workers are too busy or careless to pay attention to their surroundings, use a cell phone, carry things that obscure their eyesight, wear sunglasses in low-light locations, bypass marked paths, or move too quickly. Therefore, individual responsibility for preparation, vigilance, and attention is paramount.

Conclusion

Most workplace injuries and incidents, ranging from cuts and scrapes to concussions and broken bones, result from employees slipping, tripping, or falling on the job.

Fortunately, there are measures on how to prevent slips and falls from happening and protect the health of your staff and customers. Therefore, keep the premises clean, turn on the lights when it’s dark, dry up any water that could be lying around, let people know what to dress, and stress the importance of being alert and prepared for any potential dangers on the job.