IS NO ACCIDENT

We have all experienced slippery conditions sometime during our lives.  It is not necessary  to have mathematical formulas or sophisticated pieces of equipment to tell us when a floor is slippery and dangerous. 

If we are relying strictly on our own senses to detect slippery conditions, it will most likely be to late.  The accident will have occurred.  NO floor can be made 100% risk free from slip/falls, so it becomes essential to make avoidance a major part of safety procedures.  Avoidance should include full restoration of floor conditions with routine training, housekeeping, and inspections.  This can be accomplished by developing and maintaining an active slip/fall prevention program.

After careful study and analysis of our data the following "SLIP/FALL" PREVENTION PROGRAM was designed.  The program implements the technical and scientific facts found during this study to develop a practical system for reducing the possibility of slip/fall accidents.  Conditions likely to cause slip/falls are eliminated and replaced with safer conditions.  This program for slip/fall prevention is guaranteed to substantially reduce the problems that create slip/falls.

SLIP/FALL PREVENTION

IN

FIVE EASY STEPS

STEP ONE:  HOW TO ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE FLOOR TRACTION AT ALL       TIMES.

1 -Begin by immediately cleaning the floor surface with our pHluorus cleaner to remove all inorganic and organic deposits from the pore surface of the floor.

2 -Start a daily or regular floor cleaning program using pHluorus to keep grease, stains, fats and oils from clogging the pores.  Regular use of pHluorus will eliminate the need of repeating STEP ONE.

3 - Spills, liquids, and broken materials must be cleaned up right away.  Mark them clearly with signs until removed.

4 - Cracks, holes, broken tiles, and uneven floor surfaces create potential accidents.  These should be reported and repaired immediately.

STEP TWO:   START YOUR OWN FLOOR SAFETY EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM.

1 - Brief, informative, training sessions should be held regularly on floor safety.  All personnel should be informed of hazards associated with slippery floors and how they can assist in keeping the floors in the workplace safer.

2 - High-risk surface areas need to be located.  Inform all personnel to execute extra caution in those areas.  ALL hazards such as open floor drains, protruding machine parts, boxes stored on the floor, cables or cords should be identified as potential risks.

3 - Someone should be assigned to floor safety on every shift with established written responsibilities.

4 - On floor areas where high risk exists, good lighting should be in place.

5 - Inform personnel that most slip/falls occur during the busy hours.  Hurrying can cause accidents.

6 -Emphasis should be placed on utilizing and respecting all floor warning signs.

7 - Abrupt stops, starts, and turns should be kept to a minimum.  Proper walking techniques should be stressed:  short steps with toes pointed inward when crossing wet floor.

8 - Greasy or wet shoes on a greasy floor is asking for trouble.  Provide mats, rugs, or cloth rags to wipe off greasy or wet footwear.

9 -Obtain and utilize floor safety program wall chart.

      10 -Provide on-going floor safety sessions with new personnel.

STEP THREE:DEVELOP PRECISE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND TRAIN YOUR PERSONNEL.

1 -Insist that safe footwear be worn at all times.

2 -Teach proper cleaning and storage of all equipment when cleaning is complete.  Mop buckets, mops, brooms, electrical cords, brushes, and squeegees can cause trips and slip/falls.

3 -Don't allow horseplay.

4 - Instructional floor maintenance and safety wall charts should be provided and insist that all procedures be followed step by step.

5 -Floor maintenance procedures should be followed carefully and additional time spent on high risk areas.

6 -Teach the use of floor warning signs.

7 -Train floor maintenance personnel to maintain floors for safety and slip resistance as well as cleanliness and health reasons.

STEP FOUR:ESTABLISH BASIC DO'S AND DON'TS ABOUT FLOOR SAFETY.

1 -Don't allow use of greasy or dirty mops.  Greasy mops will spread greases and oils over the floor.

2 -Don't allow running or "horseplay" at any time on floor areas.

3 -Don't wax or seal stone floors if avoidable.  It will fill floor pores and cause increased potential for slippage.

4 -Do provide absorbent materials for quick response for spills or puddles.

5 -Do provide ongoing floor safety training program for all new personnel.

6 -Do stress good housekeeping to all employees.

STEP FIVE:  IMPLEMENT A REGULAR FLOOR INSPECTION PROGRAM.

1 -Appoint a floor safety committee consisting of a cross section of personnel to include management and floor maintenance personnel.

2 -Develop a simple written floor inspection program.

3 -This program will identify potential risk areas for slips and falls to allow for correction before paying for accident claims, lost work hours and additional insurance costs.

4 -Interview and survey personnel to collect data about the local floor risk areas.