Slips-Falls: A Threat to Safety

Every 18 seconds, a worker is injured on the job according to the National Safety Council's 1989 edition of Accident Facts. Every 50 minutes, one worker dies from a work related injury. Although off-the-job statistics run much higher, today's employers are aware of the negative impact that on-the-job injuries, deaths and accidents have on production and profitability. High medical costs, rising insurance and legal costa and increasing workman's compensation benefits, make safety a major priority in conducting business.

Safety regulations, site conditions and plant safety are major considerations in operating and maintaining a profitable business. A significant source of guidelines for maintaining a safe workplace and preventing accidents is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Code of Federal Regulations.

Almost 13% of accidental work deaths occur due to falls. Of the 10,600 work related deaths which occurred in 1988, only motor vehicle accidents caused more deaths than falls. In 1988, 75 million days were lost due to work injuries. With the most recent figures indicating that more than 16% of accidents resulting in disability were due to falls.

This loss of man-hours and skilled workers is further compounded by the rising costs of workers' compensation. In 1988 alone, accidents cost the nation more than $143.4 billion.

During 1985, falls on the same level accounted for 12.6% of workers' compensation cases that were closed. Average indemnity fall of this type was approximately $4,700, and average medical payments per injury were approximately $2,000.

The use of safety equipment and proper precaution can help reduce the occurrence of accidents and thus, the cost to industry. But additional steps should be taken to ensure worker safety and save valuable worker, financial and legal resources.

American Safety Technologies non-slip safety coatings and stair treads help prevent costly slips and falls in many industrial, commercial and institutional environments where slippery surfaces create a safety problem.

Work Injuries Involving Disability
1. Chemicals 3.5 2. Caught 6.0 3. Abrasion 2.6 4. Struck 25.9 5. Other 4.7 6. Vehicle Accidents 38.9 7. Bodily Reaction 7.4 8. Slips-Falls16.4 9. Temperature Extreme 23 0. Exertion 28.2

Every 18 seconds, a worker is injured on the job according to the National Safety Council's 1989 edition of Accident Facts. Every 50 minutes, one worker dies from a work related injury. Although off-the-job statistics run much higher, today's employers are aware of the negative impact that on-the-job injuries, deaths and accidents have on production and profitability. High medical costs, rising insurance and legal costa and increasing workman's compensation benefits, make safety a major priority in conducting business.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Code of Federal Regulations (Labor)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Labor Regulations designed to prevent serious accidents in the work place. The following regulations are a few of OSHA's regulations regarding the need for non-slip surfaces for safe footing in various industrial applications.

Part 1910.265
"Floors, footwalks, and passageways in the work area around machines or other places where a person is required to stand or walk shall be provided with effective means to minimize slipping."

Part 1910.261
"Steps and footwalks. . . shall have non-slip surfacing. . ."

"A non-skid surface shall be provided. . . to prevent an employee from slipping. . ."

(b)(3) "Floors, platforms, and work surfaces shall be maintained in accordance with American National Standard A12.1 — 1967."

Part 1910.179
"Footwalks shall have a walking surface of anti-slip type."

Part 1910.94
"Floors and platforms around tanks shall be prevented from becoming slippery. . ."

Part 1910.68
"Landing surfaces. The landing surfaces at the entrances and exits. . . shall be constructed and maintained to provide safe footing at all times."

"Surfaces. The upper or working surfaces of the step shall be of a material having inherent non-slip characteristics, (coefficient of friction not less than 0.5) or shall be covered completely by a non-slip tread securely fastened to it."

American Safety Technologies has been the leading manufacturer of Non-Slip Safety Systems for over 75 years offering a full range of durable non-slip safety coatings and stair treads to meet those standards established by USDA and OSHA.

Non-Slip Coatings
Economical to use and easy to apply, our patented non-slip coatings offer excellent traction and low maintenance. Developed for use in marine and industrial environments. American Safety Technologies Coatings remain effective under the harshest conditions, including areas where excess water compounds the danger. Based on high performance polymer chemistry, the coatings provide maximum adhesion, durability, performance and chemical resistance.

Stair Treads
The marriage of high performance polymers and high strength extruded aluminum alloys has resulted in the Amstep series concept. Independent field and laboratory testing has have proven the impact resistance qualities and non-slip superiority of Amstep 700 treads. The unique walking surface consists of a special slip resistant formulation, bonded to a heavy duty extruded aluminum base. The non-slip surface maintains its high coefficient of friction, whether wet or dry, for the life of the tread.

American Safety Technologies coatings and stair tread products are designed to protect your customers, employees and visitors from accidents while offering the ultimate benefit of non-slip technology.

National Safety Council
Data Sheet 1-495-Reaf.86

The National Safety Council has provided Data Sheet, 1-495-Reaf.86 which details the most common causes of falls on floors. This sheet also provides additional information regarding types of flooring, the use of non-slip and floor dressing materials, and indicates specific procedures for preventing falls. A synopsis of this information follows.

"In commercial establishments, falls occur more frequently and result in more severe injuries than any other type of accidents."

"Like other types of accidents, falls on floors are frequently the result of both unsafe conditions and unsafe acts."

"The presence of foreign substances (food, water, grease, oil, sawdust, soap, or debris) on otherwise safe floors can lead to falls.

Use of Floor Coatings
"Special slip-resistant surfaces should be specified where the floor slopes (as on ramps or other inclines), where foreign substances may be present (as in food preparation and serving areas, in washrooms, and at entrances from outside), and at such locations as elevator entrances."

Entrances and Exits
"The floor surfaces at entrances, both inside and outside the doors, should be constructed of materials that will be relatively non-slippery at all times."