2 Minute Toolbox Talk: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of proper footwear and safe walking techniques to prevent slips and falls. It explains how traction, measured by the coefficient of friction, is affected by shoe material and walking surface. Key tips include wearing slip-resistant shoes, maintaining a controlled pace, adjusting your stride, and using handrails on stairs. The video also highlights the risks of wearing shoes with low traction, like high heels or leather soles, and encourages vigilance in keeping shoes clean and in good condition to reduce injury risk.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper footwear provides traction, which is crucial for maintaining balance and avoiding slips.
• 😀 The coefficient of friction measures traction, with higher numbers indicating better grip.
• 😀 Soft rubber soles on rough cement or carpeting provide a high coefficient of friction.
• 😀 Leather soles, high heels, or wet tiles have a low coefficient of friction, increasing the risk of slips.
• 😀 ANSI-approved slip-resistant footwear offers optimal traction with soft rubber soles.
• 😀 Keeping shoes clean and free of slippery substances is essential for maintaining traction.
• 😀 High heels, leather soles, and smooth soles should be avoided as they offer minimal traction.
• 😀 Walking too fast, with an uneven gait, or making sudden movements can lead to loss of balance.
• 😀 Adjusting your stride to match the walking surface and maintaining muscle control helps prevent slips.
• 😀 Using handrails on stairways and avoiding skipping steps can prevent injuries from falls.

Q & A

What is the coefficient of friction?

The coefficient of friction measures the traction between two surfaces. A higher coefficient indicates better traction.

Why does the coefficient of friction matter when choosing footwear?

The coefficient of friction determines how much traction the footwear provides. Footwear with a high coefficient of friction helps prevent slips and falls.

Can you give examples of footwear with high and low coefficients of friction?

Footwear with high coefficients includes soft rubber soles on rough cement or carpeting. Low coefficients are found in leather-soled shoes or high heels on slippery surfaces like ice or wet tile.

How can wearing proper PPE help prevent falls?

Proper PPE, like slip-resistant footwear, improves traction, reduces the risk of slips, and provides added protection against falls.

Why is it important to keep your shoes clean?

Keeping shoes clean ensures they maintain their traction. Dirty shoes, especially those with slippery substances on them, can lead to a higher risk of slipping.

What footwear should you avoid to reduce the risk of slipping?

Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes, leather-soled shoes, or any footwear with hard, smooth soles, as they provide little traction.

How can your walking pace affect your balance?

Moving too fast or having an uneven gait can increase the risk of slipping. Adjusting your stride to match the walking surface reduces the chances of losing balance.

What should you do when making tight turns to maintain balance?

When making tight turns, avoid twisting your torso and instead move your feet. Keeping your feet pointed slightly outward also helps with stability.

Why is it important to maintain muscle control while walking?

Maintaining muscle control in your legs and core helps prepare your body to react to any unexpected slips or trips, preventing falls.

How can using the handrail on stairs prevent injuries?

Using the handrail while going up or down stairs provides additional support and helps prevent falls, especially when descending or navigating tricky steps.