National Safety Month and Fall Prevention

June is National Safety Month – with an emphasis on reducing work-related falls in Kentucky and nationwide.

The first week of National Safety Month is dedicated to preventing slips, trips and falls at work.

Falls are among the most common causes of serious on-the-job injuries and deaths. Workers fall off ladders and scaffolding. They fall from overhead platforms and elevated work stations. They slip on wet spots and plunge into holes in the floor.

Under state and federal laws, employers are required to provide a safe workplace for their employees. Safety measures can include:

1. Covers on holes in floors and walls
2. Railings, toe boards and warning signs around holes
3. Guardrails and handrails for stairs, platforms and runways
4. Protection from falling into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt)
5. Safety harnesses and lines
6. Safety nets
7. Keeping floors in work areas clean and clutter-free
8. Floor mats
9. Worker training about fall hazards in a language they can understand

For their part, workers can protect themselves from slips, trips and falls by staying alert at all times. Look out for warning signs and markers. Lift things safely. Be careful climbing ladders and stairs while carrying heavy objects.

Workers should also use personal protective equipment like lanyards, harnesses and lines. The employer should provide these at no cost. All equipment should be adjusted to fit your body.

General health and safety precautions include: taking short breaks to stretch your muscles, staying active, eating a healthy diet and getting proper sleep.

Men and women who are injured in a workplace accident might have a claim for worker’s compensation in Kentucky.

Sources:

• US Department of Health and Human Services http://healthfinder.gov/nho/JuneToolkit2.aspx#announcement
• National Safety Council http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx
• OSHA – Fall Protection http://www.osha.gov/Publications/fall_protection_qc.pdf