Don’t Slip-up at Work and Forget Fall Detection
A misstep on a ladder at an oil site. A trip while getting off the tractor. Or, a simple slip on a small chemical spill. All of these common occurrences can lead to injuries that not only make you unable to work but could lead to a visit to the local emergency room.
Did you know that in a 2018 report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, researchers found that in 2016 and 2017, there were more than 650, 000 visits to emergency departments because of injuries from falls with many occurring in the workplace? And according to Stats Canada, the most common type of workplace injury is…you guessed it – falls. In this blog article, we cover fall detection devices and applications that you can proactively implement in your company. Every year, more than 40,000 Canadian workers are injured because of fall accidents - that’s a significant amount of pain and suffering, as well as compensation funds, that can be saved. And according to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2016, close to 35, 000 people died in falls at home and at work, and “depending on the industry, falls can be the leading cause of death.”
Recognize your potential fall safety hazards
You get the picture of how dangerous falls are, so what are the safety hazards workers are facing? They range from workplace to workplace and from season to season, but there are some general hazards that can exist everywhere such as:
Leaks, spills, or debris on floors, stairs, walkways, and entrances.
Tools, equipment and other objects in the areas mentioned above.
Cords, power cables, and hoses in aforementioned areas.
Poor lighting in walkways and work areas.
Damaged flooring and tiles.
Accumulated snow and ice in walkways and work areas.
Improper and rushed use of ladders and stairs.
According to the same NSC article, they recommend a number of simple, proactive steps that can be taken in the workplace to prevent these common injuries:
“Discuss the task with coworkers and determine what safety equipment is needed
Make sure you are properly trained on how to use the equipment
Scan the work area for potential hazards before starting the job
Make sure you have level ground to set up the equipment
If working outside, check the weather forecast; never work in inclement weather
Use the correct tool for the job, and use it as intended
Ensure stepladders have a locking device to hold the front and back open
Always keep two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder
Place the ladder on a solid surface and never lean it against an unstable surface
A straight or extension ladder should be 1 foot away from the surface it rests on for every 4 feet of height and extend at least 3 feet over the top edge
Securely fasten straight and extension ladders to an upper support
Wear slip-resistant shoes and don't stand higher than the third rung from the top
Don't lean or reach while on a ladder, and have someone support the bottom
Never use old or damaged equipment; check thoroughly before use”
Take fall detection and fall protection further
To mitigate this serious and prevalent workplace safety issue even further, use a safety tool like SafetyLine Lone Worker which is widely used as a lone worker safety app with man-down and fall down-detection features – available for both iPhone and Android – which will trigger emergency alerts if, respectively:
If the device hasn’t moved for an extended period, often the result of an unconscious worker and
If the device recognizes a fall event capable of injuring a worker.
Lone Worker Fall Down Detection Series
As the months begin to get warmer, an increasing number of Canadian workers will be doing their jobs outside and in situations where unintentional slips, trips, and falls are more likely to happen. That is why that here at the SafetyLine Blog, we will be publishing the Lone Worker Fall Down Detection Series, a campaign of informative articles, looking at how our man down and fall detection features can protect your staff in five major Canadian industries:
Community Health and Homecare Workers
Agriculture
Government and Public Utility Workers
Educational Institutions
Oil and Energy
Using fall detection devices can significantly reduce workplace injuries. Ensure your team’s safety with our Lone Worker Safety Solution App and explore our pricing options. Visit our FAQ page for more insights and learn about the benefits of our solutions.
Want to see your industry featured?
If you feel that workplace falls are a serious issue in your industry, let us know and we’ll try to cover it in the future.
Enjoy reading and stay safe and connected out there!