• Slip and fall injuries on the job require investigating and reporting to regulatory agencies.man falling image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
  
  Slips, trips and falls cause the majority of accidents in the general industry sector of the workplace, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA, the National Safety Council and insurance carriers are among the many organizations that offer tips to prevent these types of accidents and checklists for investigating such injuries.
  
  

Housekeeping

• Housekeeping is one of the main causes of slips, trips and falls. Materials on the floor, even a small spot of liquid or a small piece of paper, can cause a slip and fall. Boxes and bigger materials are tripping hazards. An investigation checklist should cause the investigator to note whether aisles between work stations and main walking paths are free of clutter, litter and spills. In addition, the list should include checking to see if materials stick out from between or under machinery or desks. Have the investigator note whether "wet surface" signs are available to place over a cleaned spill until the surface dries, and whether an unmarked wet area was the cause of a slip and fall accident.
  
  

Stairwells

• Worker injuries on stairs are often serious, including broken bones and concussions. OSHA requires handrails on stairs, sturdy doors leading to stairwells and proper lighting in the stairwells. Include handrails on the checklist, addressing whether they are on both sides of an up-and-down stairway, and whether handrails are fastened securely, not giving way under the weight of a person. Doors to stairwells should shut properly and not suddenly open if a worker accidentally leans on them. Lighting is also an issue for stairwells; they must be properly lit, and must also have emergency lighting in case of power outages. No items should be stored on stairways or inside a stairwell area, and litter or spills should be cleaned up immediately. A warning sign should be present if stairs are wet for any reason. The checklist should note whether clutter or liquids on stairs could have caused the accident, whether a door opens without a worker turning the handle and whether proper lighting and emergency lights are present and in working order.
  
  

Seasonal Slips and Falls

• Be sure to include on the investigations checklist any seasonal hazards, both in and outside of buildings. Address icy walkways and parking lots, whether they have been cleared of snow and sand, and whether an ice-melting substance has been applied. Check that non-slip mats are inside all entry ways, pathways and locker rooms where people track snow, water and sand inside. Leaves over a walkway are a common hazard in autumn. Spring rain and summer water sprinklers often spray onto walkways and present a slipping hazard. Any wet or loose material can track into the building as well, and should be added to the checklist.
  
  

Cords, Hoses and Machinery Parts

• Complete your investigation checklist with a list of areas that have electrical cords, hydraulic tubes or water hoses used in the daily operation of the workplace. If these slip or trip hazards cross walking areas, they should be covered with protective mats. Machinery parts that drape across a floor area are also important to put on the list. The investigator should be able to check that these potential hazards are covered or fastened around a workplace perimeter rather than lying in an area where falls can occur.