Fall protection awareness Published May 5, 2015 By Claudio Espinoza 412th Test Wing Ground Safety EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It is a fact that more than 16 percent of all falls on the job result in injuries affecting the productive environment of the workplace. It becomes essential to implement a means to prevent falls while at the workplace. There are basically two kinds of falls: those that happen in single-story structure and those that occur from a higher level. Most falls occur from slips and trips at the same level. They are usually caused form slipping on a slick surface or tripping over an object. A fraction of falls occur from different levels when people fall from ladders, stairs or a higher floor. It is also a fact that workplace falls can be prevented. Although mishaps are not always easy to guess, it's still quite possible to prevent them from happening. Doing away with unsafe acts and conditions can control such mishaps. Look for ways to prevent and control slips, trips and falls. Once the hazards are identified, you can usually eliminate the potential of a mishap occurring. Below are some precautions you can take to avoid a potential mishap. · Ensure all spills and wet surfaces are immediately cleaned up from the floor. Do not allow any residual slimy leftovers lying around. It could cause someone to slip or fall. · All walking pathways should be clear and unobstructed. Do not allow walkways to be cluttered with objects that may result in people tripping and falling over. · In case you need to reach above your head to grab something, use a safe stepladder or stool. Never use a chair or desk to climb up on. That includes turning the metal trash can over. · Make sure you only carry loads you can safely handle. While carrying objects, make sure your line of sight is not affected ("eyes-on-path") and the load is not heavy or bulky causing you to stumble. · Always have good lighting in the work area and your visibility is not affected whether inside or outdoors. · While we may not have control over the condition of the surface we walk on, we do have control over what we wear on our feet. Proper footwear with adequate soles can reduce the risk of slip-injuries. Partnering with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Air Force Ground Safety office will sponsor a Fall Protection Awareness campaign from May 4 to 15 as part of the Air Force Quest for Zero initiative. The effort is to highlight fall protection awareness and identify ways to prevent what has proved costly to the Air Force in recent years. If you have any questions or concerns with fall protection, please call the Ground Safety Office at 661-277-4640. Let's all make an effort to watch out for one another and keep safety as our core value. Visit www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown for more information and read more about Quest for Zero here.