More than a billion dollars is spent each week on slips, trips, and falls at the workplace.
According to the 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, the most severe, non-fatal workplace injuries cost almost $62 billion in workers’ compensation costs. In other words, more than a billion dollars is spent each week on these injuries. One of the most common causes of these injuries are slips, trips, and falls. They are responsible for over 15 percent of all accident-related deaths and ranks second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of fatalities. Falls from the same level and falls to the lower level are the second and third highest causes of disabling work-related injuries.
Causes of Workplace Slips, Trips and Falls
- Slips can occur when the working surface becomes slippery due to oily or wet processes.
- Trips can be caused because of uneven floor and working surfaces.
- Both slips and trips can result in falls.
Statistics About Slips, Trips, and Falls
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA):
- Slips, trips, and falls contribute to almost 12-15 percent of all workers’ compensation costs and these injuries cost employers approximately $40,000 per incident.
- Slips, trips, and falls account for nearly 20 percent of all workplace injuries.
- 1 in 6 of all work injuries requiring time off work result from slips, trips, and falls. These injuries, on average, result in 11 days away from work.
- 65 percent of fall-related injuries occur because of falls from same-level walking surfaces.
- 60 percent of the total injuries from same level falls are reported by the services, retail trade, and wholesale industries.
- The manufacturing sector accounts for 16 percent of same level fall related injuries.
- While same level falls are more common, falls to a lower level cause more serious injuries.
- More than 60 percent of all falls to a lower level are from a height of less than 10 feet.
- Around 20-30 percent of people who suffer a slip and fall sustain moderate to severe injuries including bruises, head injuries, and hip fractures.
- Slip and fall accidents are known to be the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and account for 46 percent of fatal fall injuries among older Americans.
- Slips, trips, and fall accidents can be serious enough to cause life threatening and disabling injuries and even death.
- Slips, trips, and falls are responsible for 15 percent of all accidental deaths.
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Design workplaces in a way that prevents any potential slip and trip hazards.
- Establish safe walking routes and practices.
- Keep work areas tidy and free of clutter.
- Wear proper footwear with good traction.
- Make sure all workers wear proper fall protection equipment as required.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Have you been injured in the workplace? You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Speak to a St. Louis injured at work lawyer to know more about your legal rights. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.
Workplace Injury and Accident Causes
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Removal
Second Hand Asbestos Exposure
Sexual Assault Workplace
Physical Assault at Workplace
Workplace Injuries Assembly Line
At Fault Accident
Workplace Attack
Benzene Exposure
Injured on Lunch Break
Building Collapse
Workplace Bullying
Chemical Exposure in the Workplace
Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Cold Stress in the Workplace
Combustible Dust Explosion
Computer Use
Construction Site Accident
Conveyor Belt Accident
On the Job Injury Cause by Coworker
Crane Accident
Injuries from Desk Jobs
Diesel Exhaust Fumes Exposure
Digging Injury
Breaking Company Policy
Drowning at Work
Workplace Drug Use
Electrical Workplace Accidents
Elevator Accident
Equipment Accident
Ergonomics in the Workplace
Excessive Overtime
Workplace Explosion
Extreme Danger
Fall at Work
Fire in the Workplace
Slicer Accident
Forklift Accident
Walk in Freezer
Gas Pipeline Accident
Hard Work
Workplace Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Equipment in the Workplace
Heavy Machinery Accident
Horseplay in the Workplace
Danger at Workplace
Insomnia in the Workplace
Jumping Accident
Ladder Falls at Work
Loading Dock Accident
Machinery Accident Workplace
Equipment Failure Accident
Mining Accident
Mold in the Workplace
Nail Gun Accident
Workplace Noise
Non Collision Accident
Heavy Objects
Workplace Office Equipment
Opioid Use
Injury at Work Due to OSHA Violation
Overexertion Injuries at Work
Use of Pain Killers
Power Tool Injury
Inadequate PPE
Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Workplace
Mansfield Bar
Scaffolding Accident
Secondhand Smoke in the Workplace
Side Effects
Silica Exposure
Sleep Disorder
Slip and Fall Injuries in the Workplace
Stairs at Work
Struck by a Vehicle
Tar Fumes
Toxic Chemical Exposure
Toxic Fumes in the Workplace
Car Accident While Working
Trench Collapse
Trips at Work
Unsafe Working Conditions
Workplace Violence
Welding Injury
Winter Hazards in the Workplace
Working Shifts