Staircase Trip and Fall Hazard

Overall, slips, trips and falls are a major accident type in most industries, including fire department and other governmental divisions.  They account for 10% to 30% of injuries to employees and the general public, and have an average cost ranging from $2,500 to $12,000. According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips and falls are the second leading cause of accidental deaths.

Major hazards are slippery surfaces, holes or broken surfaces, poor drainage or inadequate clean-up of spills or tracked in mud, ice and water during inclement weather.  It is recommended that your Department develop a means to identify and evaluate walking surface conditions during routine premises inspections and pay special attention to:

• Building entrances where water, mud, grit and dirt are tracked in
• Work areas around machinery or office equipment
• Areas where walking surface levels change due to steps or ramps

VFIS recommends your organization install proper guard and stair rails around the stair case to prevent members from falling from the stairs when accessing the mezzanine area. Your Department should barricade off this areas until repairs can be made in order to draw attention to the defect and prevent unauthorized access. 

Available Resources

• Self-Inspection Form for Buildings and Grounds
• Slip, Trip & Fall Prevention