Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the number one cause of injuries in the workplace. According to 2010 data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), slips, trips and falls accounted for approximately 25% of lost time injuries. (Cani, 2012) Since 2012, Metal/Non-metal mines in the U.S. have experienced 12 fatalities that were classified as a “Fall of Person.” There were a total of 96 fatalities in this five year period and individuals falling from heights accounted for approximately 13%. In the United States, $70 billion is spent annually on workers’ compensation and medical costs associated with occupational falls. (University of South Florida, n.d.) While the costs associated with falls is tremendous, the loss of a single life is difficult to accept when most of these accidents could be prevented.