Learn from My Family and Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

Picture it: a fairly mild winter day for the Washington, D.C. area, a few icy concrete stairs, and— bam! I was on my back before I knew it. The small errand to bring in the recycling bins turned into a nasty bruise on my backside, but thankfully nothing more.

Slips, trips, and falls can cause much more painful and debilitating injuries than just a hematoma. They can result in death. According to “Injury Facts” (2017), 818 workers died in 2014 from falls. That is why the Air Force prioritizes training to prevent these types of injuries from happening.

Not only military personnel but their families and friends can also experience slips, trips, and falls. Spreading the information you learn here can save them suffering, time, and money.

What happened to me on that wintery day was a slip. While wearing the admittedly improper footwear for going outside, I rushed down a slippery surface and ended up on my back. Other than wearing slip-resistant shoes, I should have also checked the stairs for ice and spread out rock salt or sand once I saw they were icy. Slips inside can be caused by spills that have not been adequately cleaned. In this case, you need to be vigilant for checking where you or others are walking for spills, and clean up any liquid to prevent a slip. If you cannot clean it up right away, find a “wet floor” sign or a few cones to cordon off the area and warn others about the potential danger.

It is essential to wear the proper gear to protect against falls and mitigate the risk of injury.

Sure, we have all tripped on an uneven sidewalk or after stubbing our toe on a piece of furniture, but you may not be aware that a trip can lead to more than just a gasp or scraped knee. My grandmother valiantly lived in her home by herself until she tripped on some loose carpeting and broke her hip. Unfortunately, this type of accident is commonplace among elderly people, and falls can result in more severe injuries as we age. In a construction site, a trip can leave you trying to catch yourself among sharp tools or other objects or in a ditch. What safety precautions can we take to prevent a tripping injury?

In my grandmother’s case, we should have inspected her home for any tripping hazards, such as that loose carpet. Securing the carpeting and flooring, checking for adequate light sources so she could see potential hazards, and making sure the hallways were clear of any clutter could have prevented her injury. On a construction site, having enough light sources for nighttime work and making sure walkways and aisles are clear are crucial to this effort.

I have many memories of holding the bottom of a ladder in place while my dad climbed to the roof of our house to do repairs. Looking back, I am not sure a 13-year-old was a good safety measure in preventing an adult man from falling. What is an effective way to prevent a fall? Using ladders properly by not standing on the top rung or any rungs indicated by the manufacturer as being dangerous, making sure you set the ladder on an even surface, and making sure you unfold it completely before using. Do not lean from the ladder to work on something to the left or right. Grip the rungs (not the side rails) using both hands. If you have tools, use a tool belt rather than carrying them in your hands so your hands can be free to climb and support. Lastly, rather than rely on a 13-year-old, tie down the base of the ladder when using it outdoors.

Now that we have reviewed how to use a ladder or a step stool correctly, it is also important to emphasize not to use a chair, countertop, or table to reach something on a high shelf. It may be a pain to go and get one, but using a ladder properly is a safe way to work off the ground.

Ladders are not the only way a person can fall and be injured, however. Scaffolding and walkways in a construction site can also set up dangerous situations. It is essential to wear the proper gear to protect against falls and mitigate the risk of injury. This gear primarily includes harnesses and lanyards that are properly secured.

As we learned before, stairs can be tricky. Not only can they be icy, but they can also be uneven, improperly lit, and even broken or loose. Ensuring the stairs at home and your workplace are in good condition can prevent falls. Pro tip: add slip-resistant strips to your hardwood stairs to prevent slipping or sliding while wearing socks. Elsewhere, keep your eyes peeled for any potential mishaps, and be careful going up or down a set of stairs.

By using the above steps to prevent slips, trips, and falls, you can prevent injury, death, lost work hours, and expense to yourself and the Air Force—not to mention preventing the psychological impact of an injury.