Slip sliding away | EssentialsAmy Staska
Editor's note: This is part one of a two-part series
about slip hazards. Part two will appear in the December
issue.
When a person is walking and suddenly slips, what does he do?
Generally, he tries to make a brisk recovery or at least stand up
quickly and brush off before looking around to see whether anyone
noticed. Although people usually are embarrassed when they slip,
there are reasons (other than clumsiness) for slips. Knowing these
reasons can help roofing contractors and their employees avoid what
may be slightly embarrassing, as well as painful or even
disastrous.
Often, there are no detrimental results for workers or their
companies when someone slips. As mentioned, a person hustles to
regain his footing, is relieved if no co-workers saw the incident
and gets back to work. But a surprising amount of slips result in
injuries.
Neil Adams, an ergonomics and safety-management consultant,
concludes from his research that 50 percent of falls or near falls
that result in injuries are the consequences of slips. Adams also
says slips and falls are the third-leading cause of disabling
workers in U.S. workplaces. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, more than 22 percent of slips and falls resulted in
workers being away from their jobs for more than one month, which
can have significant ramifications...
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