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Travelers

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https://2344561.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_jjykhney

 

Welcome and thank you for joining this Travelers Risk Control webinar on Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention. My name is Alyssa Jensen and I'm a Human Factors and Ergonomics consultant. Co-presenting today is Courtney Phillips. Courtney is a business liaison for Risk Control. Now, before we get started, I want to review this disclaimer. This webinar will be providing you with some best practices. But this presentation does not constitute as legal advice. During this session, we can't possibly cover every scenario that you may encounter. Additionally, this presentation does not account for slip trip and fall risks unique to persons with disabilities. Since every company and scenario is unique, it's your responsibility to take this information and apply it in a manner that best fits your company's unique situation. Our objectives today are to assist you in identifying common slip trip and fall hazards, as well as understanding their mechanics and industry statistics. We will also provide you with possible means of reducing the likelihood of an incident. And strategies for long-term risk management, including developing a formal safety plan. While knowledge and awareness are hopeful, a formal safety plan or program is recommended for successful outcomes. The claims process will also be reviewed to assist you when working closely with our claims representatives to more effectively manage slips, trips, and falls if or when they do occur. Lastly, we will conclude with Frequently Asked Questions and places to find additional resources. Let's begin by taking a look at the impact of slips, trips, and falls. We will do this by going through some industry statistics and discussing the costs that arise from claims associated with slips, trips, and falls. This data represents both personal and occupational injuries and demonstrates that slip, trip, and fall injuries are a significant source of claims for businesses. Per our travelers claims data, slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of premises liability claims in terms of costs. There are also a leading cause of emergency room visits per the National Floor Safety Institute. The third leading cause of death and workplace as well. That statistic is from the National Safety Council, who also indicates that for work related injuries, slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause of days away from work. As we just mentioned, industry data indicates that slips, trips, and falls are a significant source of claims. Our travelers claims data, paints a consistent picture. From 2010 to 2016, our data indicates that for general liability claims where, for example, a non employee falls on your premises, slips, trips, and falls cause over half of Travelers claims. We've looked at the frequency of slips, trips, and falls, but what about the cost? The National Safety Council indicates that for workers compensation claims, these are the third costliest cause of claims. This is the latest available data and recently burns have pushed slips, trips, and falls from the number two spot where it had historically placed. Interestingly, our clients are frequently more concerned with strains from material handling or cumulative injuries. And while those costs are not insignificant, we do see that slips, trips, and falls are far more prevalent exposure as we tend to walk more often than we might lift or carry items. We've looked at statistics associated with the frequency and cost implications of slips, trips, and falls. Now let's spend some time talking about the movements associated with slips, trips, and falls and what causes them. Think for a moment about your movements when you walk normally. What do you think the clearance of your foot is when taking a step? It may be surprising to find out that when walking, your foot in motion clears the ground by only a quarter of an inch. Many people assume it's much higher. This minimal clearance means that even seemingly minor surface obstructions or defects may cause a person to trip. To understand this better, let's talk a little bit more about the mechanics of slips, trips, and falls. In order to prevent injuries, it's helpful to understand the physics or mechanics of what's involved with person slips, trips, and falls. But before getting into those, let's first discuss walking. The technical term for walking is the human gait cycle and is commonly broken down into two phases. The stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase includes the heel striking the ground and the weight shifting onto the planted foot. The swing phase includes the toe lifting from the following foot and forward swinging of the leg. This cycle is repeated with each step a person takes. Slips and trips occur when this cycle is interrupted. A slip occurs when the heel strikes the ground but slides out. When this happens, our upper body weight shifts in the opposite direction. Slips are often associated with contaminated floor surfaces, think like ice, wax, sand, grease or even spilled coffee, as shown in the photo above. We might refer to these surfaces are being slippery. But when we say slippery, What do we mean? We have a technical term for it called the coefficient of friction, sometimes referred to as COF, which we use to measure the relative slipperiness of a surface. We can measure this using a device commonly referred to as a slip meter, but more technically as a trib-ometer. A coefficient of friction measuring 0.5 or greater is generally regarded as suitable for safe walking. Knowing the COF can be helpful at times, including investigating a claim or when making design choices for flooring. Tile manufacturers, for example, tend to provide this information on their store samples to help customers make informed decisions. A trip occurs when the toes or foot abruptly strike an object or snag on a surface of very high friction during the swing phase of the gait cycle. In this case, our center of gravity shifts forward with the momentum from walking. We previously mentioned that the foot clears a four by only one quarter of an inch when walking. So causes of tripping often include changes in level, uneven walking surfaces or obstacles in a walking path. Falls are the result of slipping and tripping hazards when we're unable to recover our balance or a fall from elevation. When you fall, the part of the body that absorbs the energy of the fall during impact is most likely the injury site. The results of a fall may include sprains, broken bones, twisted angles, and loss of mobility. In considering your property or facility, identify we're accidents are more likely to occur. We call these hotspots, and we've grouped them into three general types, indoor, outdoor and those involving a change in level. Let's begin with indoor hotspots. Now Courtney will go into a little more detail about indoor walking surfaces and controls to help mitigate risks. Thank you, Alyssa. Some indoor walking areas tend to see a large volume of traffic in a relatively confined space, such as entrances or lobbies, so congestion can be an issue. Flooring materials may change from carpet to tile, for example. The change in friction from one surface to another could cause a problem. Also, cleaners or other floor treatments may alter the floor surface, and increase or decrease its slip resistance or the coefficient of friction. Aisles and passageways may have obstacles or there might be blind intersections where people could collide with each other or with equipment. Storage areas are commonplace for incidents to occur because of haphazard placement of stock or discarded packaging. Since these areas may be used infrequently, they may be overlooked and employees may minimize the importance of proper controls. Any area using water or other liquids should be evaluated. For example, be sure water fountains are calibrated so that the water doesn't overshoot or otherwise splash out of its collection pan. Bathrooms present unique concerns because of the presence of water. Keep in mind that when you take a perfectly safe, dry surface and add a little water, you can have a serious injury from a slip and fall. That doesn't mean that all tile floors are inherently unsafe when wet. Sometimes maintain a coefficient of friction above 0.5 even when wet, which you'll recall is a generally accepted benchmark for a safe walking surface. If you have fully equipped bathrooms that have tubs and showers, these introduce a greater chance of a slip trip and fall. By analogy, kitchens and food service areas present similar concerns because of the presence of spilled food and water, dishwashing and the use of oils. Now that we've taken a look at some common indoor hotspots that can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Let's talk about ways to help reduce the risk in some of these areas. Indoor walking areas should be kept dry, clean, and clear of hazards. This means no water or spills on the floor, no clutter to walk around or step on, no protruding nails or splinters, and no cracks, holes or uneven edges. Similarly, carpet seems like a good walking surface and it usually is, but not if it's loose, warped, worn or torn. Carpet should be securely attached and where there is a transition to another floor surface, it should be a quarter inch or less in thickness to reduce the likelihood of tripping. When you anticipate moisture getting on the floor, you need a plan. Placing bags at entrances for wet items, such as umbrellas is a good way to avoid bringing moisture into a building when rain is expected. As previously mentioned, bathrooms are also a hotspot for wet floors. Consider placing soap and towel dispensers above the counter so that soap and water are less likely to be tracked across the floor surface. Mats and runners at entryways help trap water and debris brought in from the outside, especially during inclement weather. These should be placed along likely pedestrian routes. In other words, traffic flow should dictate map placement. If pedestrian flow is difficult to predict due to the size or layout of the space. Barrier tape can be used to guide traffic towards temporary walkways equipped with mats. Mats should be of sufficient length to absorb water so that shoes are dry as people reach the unprotected floor. In this example shown here, the mat coverage is insufficient and the result is a slip fall hazard. Finally, keep in mind that mats may need to be trimmed to fit some spaces. Ensure all seems and edges remain flat and smooth. Avoid stacking or overlapping mats, as shown in the bottom right photo. As this could create a tripping hazard. In addition to the use of mats and runners, use wet floor signs during inclement weather or in areas where there is a spill or leak. Other means to prevent an injury may include non-slip floor treatments and grab bars in appropriate areas. In an industrial setting, marking permanent aisles and passageways can help deter the storage of items and areas where they might become a trip hazard. Where storage needs are known, such as for stock, dollies, forklifts or equipment. Designate and clearly mark these areas. Floor markings and signs may help along with staff training and subsequent enforcement. Lighting is a very important aspect of slip trip and fall prevention. Site is our primary means to recognize hazards and adjust our path of travel accordingly. It takes time for our eyes to adjust when walking in from outside, wet surfaces are clutter may not be conspicuous without enough light. Poor lighting can also make changes in level, such as stairways or ramps less visible, as well as fail to illuminate slight elevations or depressions where we would assume the surface to be even. Improve the lighting where needed and quickly replace burned out bulbs. Blind intersections are another potentially hazardous area to minimize the risk, use mirrors are warning signs. Remember, convex mirrors aren't just for industrial spaces, they work in offices as well. Finally, employee training and awareness is extremely important. Employees should know how to identify and avoid hazards in the workplace. They should also understand the precautions necessary to help prevent injury from occurring, such as making the area safe when they're able and promptly reporting any hazards they identify. To keep up with potential hazards, we recommend that you perform a general inspection of floors, aisles, and passageways on a monthly basis. If it rains or snows, you obviously need to check hazardous areas multiple times during the day. Some retail spaces or restrooms warrant a housekeeping log. These logs can help assure the inspections are being completed and they can also help in potential climb defense proceedings. Any deficiencies should be repaired immediately. If that isn't possible, block off the affected section of walkway or place warning signs near the area to alert people to the danger. These solutions are all fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of a slip trip fall claim. They're also easy to accomplish and they'll go a long way towards preventing slips, trips, and falls. Regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. Particularly in areas where the public regularly walks or areas where slips are seen as more likely to occur. Sweep logs and inspection records can be a helpful defense should there be an incident. Here's an example. A business opens at nine o'clock and beginning at nine and every hour until closing. The aisles and walkways are inspected by a designated employee who has the responsibility of making sure the site is clear of any hazards, spills, et cetera. The employee also signs off on the inspection record. Let's say a customer alleges a slip and fall at 11:15 in one  of the aisles. The employee has signed off on the log at 11:05, verifying the premises was all clear. This claim maybe resisted if there is no notice to the property owner of this hazard. And as a general rule, there needs to be reasonable notice of a hazard before you're required to correct the situation. Similarly, failure to maintain sweep logs may also work against you. Depending on your jurisdiction, that degree of benefit from having detailed sweep logs or inspection records may vary. Let's discuss housekeeping for a bit and keep in mind your own facility as we work through this. Good housekeeping practices are the best way to ensure clean, clutter-free walkways and to help prevent slips, trips, and falls. As previously mentioned, regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. If the slip hazard is observed. Promptness matters. Using barriers and warning signs is helpful if the spill or wet surface cannot be immediately cleaned and dried. Absorbent mats are helpful as our floor blowers for drawing. If wiring or cabling in walkways cannot be relocated elsewhere than covers are necessary to make the hazard apparent and to reduce the tripping potential. We would prefer to see the cover extended as far across the walkway as possible. In short, anticipate the potential hazards at your site and be prepared by having supplies and equipment you need readily available. Let's talk briefly about mopping. Staff that will be expected to perform mopping duties, should understand the concept of mob to dry, which means you shouldn't leave puddles behind that take a long time to dry. Mopping can control hazards, but it can also contribute to them. For general cleaning. Mop during low traffic hours and if possible, do one side of a walkway at a time rather than mopping from wall to wall. This leaves the other half of the walkway open for traffic. When mopping, use wet floor signs to warn of danger. As it's important to give visible clues to the hazard. When mopping is completed, remember to return any absorbent mats to the rightful places, such as underneath the water fountain. Okay, so we spent some time addressing hazards and controls associated with indoor walking surfaces. Now, Alyssa will take us through outdoor walking surfaces. Thank you, Courtney. Outdoor hotspots include sidewalks, plantings, parking lots, wheel stops, speed bumps, transitions, down spouts, and recreational areas. We'll explore several of these hotspots in more detail. But let's start by taking a look at the photo on your screen to uncover some hazards. As you can see, there are five steps on this pathway. Generally, codes require a handrail be provided where there are three or more steps. You can also see that drainage has washed some of the landscape bedding into the walkway. Slips don't solely result from water, but other surface contaminants as well, such as dust, sand, or mulch. Also notice that there is a transition at the leading edge of the sidewalk that presents a tripping hazard. And finally, you should consider if there is usage at night and whether the light pole can sufficiently illuminate the steps and walking surface. For obvious reasons. Outdoor surfaces are vulnerable to changes in weather. Ice, snow and rain may cause surfaces to becomes slippery. They can also hide other hazards such as minor surface depressions and storm sewer greats. Drainage is important on outside surfaces to prevent ponding and possible ice formation. It's important to be aware of the condition of your outdoor surfaces and remove snow and ice promptly. Pay attention to the areas that have a large volume of traffic and prioritize these areas. It's important to consider a pre-storm plan in your safety planning. This should start before the beginning of the winter season and include things like define responsibilities, including those for snow removal contractors, selection of snow and ice treatment products, and requirements for maintenance logs. In considering your ice melt products, it's worth noting that those containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, have a tendency to leave an oily residue on floors when tracked inside. You might consider using an alternate ice melt product around entrance ways or otherwise be sure that you clean forest diligently and provide walk off mats. Additionally, we can't forget about landscaping. While landscaping can add to the appearance of your facility, it could create hazards. You're planting should provide even transitions because uneven edges between the walking and planting areas can create a fall or trip hazard. The photo shown here has a grate around the tree to provide a level walking surface. But notice that the opening in the grate may create a tripping hazard which should be repaired. There are quite a few concerns as it relates to parking lots. Some parking lots may have potholes, cracks, uneven transitions, perhaps unmarked parking spaces or other walking hazards. In order to control some of these risks, parking lots should be regularly resurfaced. And if resurfacing is not a possibility, holes and cracks should be patched and hazardous areas should be highlighted. A safe walking paths should be outlined and traffic control measures should be implemented such as parking stripes, directional signs for walkways, and other methods. We also encourage the use of a slip resistant safety yellow paint wherever walking hazards exist, including curbs, wheel stops, and similar. Down spouts can create hazardous conditions when they dump water or other materials onto a sidewalk. In cold weather, this may also lead to icy conditions and in the summer may create a slime that results in a slippery surface. Debris that deposits may also be slippery or create tripping hazards and damp conditions may cause algae to grow. Ideally, you would want to have these issues eliminated during the design phase of a project. The top photo shows a solution where the water is safely plumbed underground. On the bottom, a fix was required where the concrete was cut and a drain installed to discharge in a less likely pedestrian area such as the street. The third hotspot we will discuss is change in level. Changes in level present unique considerations. And Courtney will discuss both some indoor and outdoor change in level, hazards and controls. Thank you. Places you will encounter a change in level include stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and loading docks. It's important to consider changes in level as it relates to slips, trips, and falls because falls related to changes in level are often more severe. Likewise, lack of sturdy handrails or guardrails may increase the severity of a slip, trip or fall. Let's talk about handrails. Providing continuous handrails on all stairways and on ramps longer than six feet can help pedestrians climb or descent safely and provide something for them to grasp should they lose their balance. The handrail should extend beyond the steps, generally, 18 inches and as shown on the right, they should be turned into the supporting structure or wall so that a person's clothing or an item such as a jacket or purse doesn't catch on the end. Height is also important. The objective is to have the majority of people be able to grasp a handrail comfortably. Most guidance specifies handrail should be placed 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing. Diameter also impacts the ability to comfortably and securely grip the handrail. A diameter between 1.25 and 2 inches is recommended. This allows for good gripping to prevent or otherwise control a fall. In areas where children are expected to use stairs frequently, such as in day cares or family hotels. An additional lower set of handrails may be appropriate. Stairways and ramps should be made of or coated with a non slip surface to prevent slips and falls. The stair is being coated with the polyurethane non slip treatment. These can work well, but be aware that coatings will wear over time and may need to be reapplied. Stair treads should provide adequate footing. Any non slip surface applied to the stair should be placed to assure that it effectively covers the walking surface. Uniform tread width and heights are also important. This allows people to get into and maintain a rhythmic gait, while ascending or descending. Elevators have two conditions which may cause an incident. The first is the threshold between the door cab and the floor which needs to be flush. Again. Keep in mind the quarter-inch clearance in our gait. It doesn't take much to create a tripping hazard. Secondly, the operation of the elevator car should be smooth. Jerky movements can cause someone to lose their balance and fall. The sensing mechanisms of the elevator are very important in preventing falls and other injuries. There are sensors in the cab door to prevent them from closing on people. And there are some sensors at each floor which detect the presence of the cab so the doors don't open without the cab being present. Elevator performance issues should be serviced by a qualified maintenance company. Escalators have their own unique hazards. The sidewalls of the escalator are dangerous because they don't move. If you have your foot on the stair next to the sidewall, the bottom portion of your shoe will want to continue moving with the stair. However, the side of the shoe may stick to the sidewall and resist movement causing a loss of balance. Stepping onto or off of an escalator poses a danger because of the change in motion, which can cause a person to lose their balance and fall. When stepping off an escalator, a clear area is needed so that those behind can exit freely. Therefore, there should be no barriers or distractions such as advertising signs or displays in the exit ramp area that might cause people to stall on the landing. Accidents can occur. Therefore, emergency shutoff switches should be conspicuously placed at both the top and bottom of the escalator and routinely inspected and tested. The clearance between the steps and the side skirting should be less than three sixteenths of an inch. This helps prevent fingers, clothing, or other objects from being caught. Many escalators have taper brushes to keep objects from being caught as well. Warning signs are required to be posted. Warning of the hazards of escalators, as well as indicating their safe use, such as use of handrails, holding children's hands, and prohibiting strollers. Loading docks are fairly typical of fall-related hazards due to the sudden drop off. Let's take a look at this picture, which isn't uncommon for a loading dock area. There are changes in level at the stairs, the loading dock, and along the retaining wall at the left. The handrails on both sets of steps look pretty good. And they're are guard rails provided? A drainage grate is provided in front of the loading dock, which should effectively collect runoff. Also, a dock lock is provided to secure a truck or trailer in place so that workers can enter safely and there are railings to either side of the opening. However, you may have noticed that there's an unprotected opening at the dock when there's no truck there, a guard rail is needed to help prevent people or equipment from falling off the dock. There are a variety of movable gates and barriers for this purpose. Standards and codes give us guidance for safe walking surfaces. OSHA, ANSI and ASTM, are the lead organizations that develop standards and recommendations regarding a number of slip trip and fall issues, which include the general condition of walking surfaces, visibility, the presence and condition of handrails and guard rails and accessibility. Some of them address the slip resistance of walking surfaces for which there's a specific ANSI standard. The picture on this slide illustrates that in some cases, standards may not go far enough. On one side, the handrails are not continuous and on the other, there's no rail at all. It's not too hard to imagine someone falling on the stairway. Yet. This happens to be code compliant for the jurisdiction where it's located. Now that we've covered common hazards that lead to slips, trips, and falls, as well as controls to help reduce the risk. Alyssa will talk about risk management practices and the next steps for you to consider after watching this webinar. Thank you. When we think of slips, trips, and falls, our first thought probably jumps to physical hazards that might influence a person to lose their balance or fall. It's important for us to see further than that. We must also look at usage realities. Consider things like are there are peak periods when the area is congested, is there use of the area at night or in compromised lighting. How is the area being used? For example, the parking lot picture looks fairly maintained. But when considering usage realities, you have to use your experience to look at the bigger pictures. Parking lots generally have orderly rows, but people often don't reliably walk down rows. They sometimes take shortcuts, sometimes across landscaping islands where you don't expect pedestrian traffic, but the exposure may occur. And finally, we need to take into account who uses the premises. Is it employees who are familiar with the environment, are they visitors or customers, perhaps children or the elderly? These are all factors that should influence the precautions that you take. As you've seen, there's a lot of information relating to slip trips and falls. Hazards can be addressed as they are encountered. But for the best solution, you want an effective safety management system in place. As with other initiatives and programs, the essential element of an effective management system is to gain ownership of the senior management or buy-in. Controlling slips, trips, and falls requires time, money, and initiative. If management is not committed than the process may not work effectively or consistently. The first step in the system is hazard control. Hazard control is the action of identifying physical or behavioral items that may increase the risk of a slip trip fall event. Whether it's spilt water at the beverage station or inclement weather outside, potential hazards need to be identified and mitigated. This is the substance of what we've covered in reviewing hotspots. The event is not static, however, and that's why it's important to create an inspection and maintenance program. Inspection checklists are a valuable tool to help identify when something requires attention. Hazards may result from a temporary issue, such as weather or gradual wear over time that often goes unnoticed unless intentionally and thoughtfully examined. Regular preventative maintenance helps. But when hazards are identified, their ability to respond, among other priorities is important as well. If an incident does occur, you need an incident response plan. As you know, no matter how diligent you are, there may still be an incident involving an employee, visitor, or customer. When this happens, a thorough and immediate incident response can help you address the event as it unfolds, including planning on who responds and the care and messaging provided, preparing how to secure and preserve any and all information related to the incident is a key part of the response. The next element in the system is incident analysis. This element deals with identifying root causes of why an incident occurred and developing measures to help prevent these from reoccurring. Sometimes this requires a near term fix and the later one that might involve capital to finance a permanent solution. The point is that you want to prevent a reoccurrence at the accident site and any other location were similar potential exists. So what's next? How do you apply what you've learned today for your facility? First, you have to gain buy-in or commitment. This includes senior management supervisors, maintenance staff, and others that are seen to have a role. Finally, everyone in the organization needs to understand as we reviewed the cost of slips, trips and falls, and their responsibilities in helping ensuring a safe premises. If you don't already have one, develop and implement a formal slip trip and fall management plan. Develop action plans and review and update them regularly. But don't do this alone. Makes sure that you get others involved along the way and educate folks as to why this is important. Understanding your risks and implementing effective controls can go a long way in preventing and minimizing the impacts of slips, trips, and falls. There are many ways to create an action plan to move forward with the next steps that we've just recommended. You can see on your screen one simple way to create a basic action plan that includes the action items and a way to keep track with your plan. Key action items include get management sponsor, senior management needs to be committed, but other levels of management need buy-in for the process to work. Develop a checklist of hotspots. Those areas where slips, trips, and falls are more likely to occur. Conduct inspections and observations periodically. We have resources to help with this, which will introduce shortly, identify, and prioritize deficiencies, the likelihood of an incident or its potential severity manner. Make the repairs or improvements or budget for them if it requires capital expenses. Revising procedures might be needed, such as how often floors are cleaned, mats are replaced, or inspections conducted. Make recommendations to management. At the points where approvals are acquired. Train your employees. They are as important a resource for identifying hazards as is your inspection program. They should understand their responsibilities in making an area safe or reporting it to the proper person. And finally, develop a formal incident investigation system to identify the cause and corrective measures to prevent recurrences. Now that you understand the actions usually take to reduce the likelihood of a slip trip and fall. Let's talk about what you need to think about in the unfortunate event that you do have an incident, it's important to remember that claim should be reported promptly through the travelers preferred method. Early reporting can lead to better results and Courtney will talk through what to expect as it relates to the Travelers Claim experience. Thanks, Alyssa. Here are some things you can do to assist the claim department in the investigation of claims reported. You'll want to preserve important documentation that can facilitate the investigation process such as incident and security reports, sweep logs and inspection records, photos, and video surveillance if available. Lease contracts, if you're a property owner or tenant. And vendor contracts, for example, contracts with your cleaning company or floor mat supplier. These may all be necessary in assessing what your legal responsibility, maybe, if any, for the loss. We now understand the importance of slip trip and fall prevention using sound risk management practices. We'll wrap up with some frequently asked questions and will let you know where you can find additional Travelers resources on this topic. Okay. Our first question is, If we require non-slip footwear, how often will the shoes need to be replaced? The answer to that is that it will depend on where. But generally speaking, six months is a good length of time to expect a work shoe to last. The second question is, how often should we change out floor mats? That's also going to depend on how fast they wear. If they don't lay flat, or if they slip, or if they don't absorb moisture, it's time to replace them. If a service company changes your mats, don't simply wait until their next scheduled visit to address these issues. The next question is, in the summer our tile floors sweat, we come in to open in the morning and the floors have condensation on them. What can we do about that? Well, if you've turned back your HVAC system at night to save energy, it could be that the humidity has increased to the point the cold floor has dew forming. So you'll need to work with your facility staff or HVAC contractor to adjust the dehumidification settings during the overnight hours. The fourth question you see here is, does it make a difference where we replace wheel stops in our parking areas? To avoid a tripping hazard, it's best to place them so they are centered directly in front of the car, not into the space between vehicles. Alyssa, I'm going to turn it back over to you to cover the remaining frequently asked questions and discuss some slip trip and fall resources. Thank you, Courtney. Another question that we get is how much light is enough? And this will depend on the conditions and the users changing from a bright light outdoors and then entering a building would suggests the need for bright transition, for example. Another question we receive is, does the size of hand rails matter? We've built some using two-by-fours, would that be okay? For this situation that would probably too large for most people to get their hand around. Codes generally specify one and a quarter to two inch diameters. And if it's not round, a circumference between four and six and one fourth inches, which is a good bit less than a two-by-four. One final question that we often get is how should we respond when someone informs us a week or even a month after the date they say they fell. And late reporting can present more challenges by not being able to quickly gather the facts. But we would still want to begin an immediate investigation into the what, where, when, and how of the incident. Travelers has some resources to help you with your slip trip and fall management program from hazard control through incident investigation. And you can find these resources on our Travelers Risk Control Portal at www.travelers.com slash Risk Control. We've now reached the end of our webinar and we hope that you found it informative and thank you for your time. If you do have additional questions, please reach out to your Risk Control Consultant. This will conclude our webinar. Thank you.

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Welcome and thank you for joining this Travelers Risk Control webinar on Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention. My name is Alyssa Jensen and I'm a Human Factors and Ergonomics consultant. Co-presenting today is Courtney Phillips. Courtney is a business liaison for Risk Control. Now, before we get started, I want to review this disclaimer. This webinar will be providing you with some best practices. But this presentation does not constitute as legal advice. During this session, we can't possibly cover every scenario that you may encounter. Additionally, this presentation does not account for slip trip and fall risks unique to persons with disabilities. Since every company and scenario is unique, it's your responsibility to take this information and apply it in a manner that best fits your company's unique situation. Our objectives today are to assist you in identifying common slip trip and fall hazards, as well as understanding their mechanics and industry statistics. We will also provide you with possible means of reducing the likelihood of an incident. And strategies for long-term risk management, including developing a formal safety plan. While knowledge and awareness are hopeful, a formal safety plan or program is recommended for successful outcomes. The claims process will also be reviewed to assist you when working closely with our claims representatives to more effectively manage slips, trips, and falls if or when they do occur. Lastly, we will conclude with Frequently Asked Questions and places to find additional resources. Let's begin by taking a look at the impact of slips, trips, and falls. We will do this by going through some industry statistics and discussing the costs that arise from claims associated with slips, trips, and falls. This data represents both personal and occupational injuries and demonstrates that slip, trip, and fall injuries are a significant source of claims for businesses. Per our travelers claims data, slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of premises liability claims in terms of costs. There are also a leading cause of emergency room visits per the National Floor Safety Institute. The third leading cause of death and workplace as well. That statistic is from the National Safety Council, who also indicates that for work related injuries, slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause of days away from work. As we just mentioned, industry data indicates that slips, trips, and falls are a significant source of claims. Our travelers claims data, paints a consistent picture. From 2010 to 2016, our data indicates that for general liability claims where, for example, a non employee falls on your premises, slips, trips, and falls cause over half of Travelers claims. We've looked at the frequency of slips, trips, and falls, but what about the cost? The National Safety Council indicates that for workers compensation claims, these are the third costliest cause of claims. This is the latest available data and recently burns have pushed slips, trips, and falls from the number two spot where it had historically placed. Interestingly, our clients are frequently more concerned with strains from material handling or cumulative injuries. And while those costs are not insignificant, we do see that slips, trips, and falls are far more prevalent exposure as we tend to walk more often than we might lift or carry items. We've looked at statistics associated with the frequency and cost implications of slips, trips, and falls. Now let's spend some time talking about the movements associated with slips, trips, and falls and what causes them. Think for a moment about your movements when you walk normally. What do you think the clearance of your foot is when taking a step? It may be surprising to find out that when walking, your foot in motion clears the ground by only a quarter of an inch. Many people assume it's much higher. This minimal clearance means that even seemingly minor surface obstructions or defects may cause a person to trip. To understand this better, let's talk a little bit more about the mechanics of slips, trips, and falls. In order to prevent injuries, it's helpful to understand the physics or mechanics of what's involved with person slips, trips, and falls. But before getting into those, let's first discuss walking. The technical term for walking is the human gait cycle and is commonly broken down into two phases. The stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase includes the heel striking the ground and the weight shifting onto the planted foot. The swing phase includes the toe lifting from the following foot and forward swinging of the leg. This cycle is repeated with each step a person takes. Slips and trips occur when this cycle is interrupted. A slip occurs when the heel strikes the ground but slides out. When this happens, our upper body weight shifts in the opposite direction. Slips are often associated with contaminated floor surfaces, think like ice, wax, sand, grease or even spilled coffee, as shown in the photo above. We might refer to these surfaces are being slippery. But when we say slippery, What do we mean? We have a technical term for it called the coefficient of friction, sometimes referred to as COF, which we use to measure the relative slipperiness of a surface. We can measure this using a device commonly referred to as a slip meter, but more technically as a trib-ometer. A coefficient of friction measuring 0.5 or greater is generally regarded as suitable for safe walking. Knowing the COF can be helpful at times, including investigating a claim or when making design choices for flooring. Tile manufacturers, for example, tend to provide this information on their store samples to help customers make informed decisions. A trip occurs when the toes or foot abruptly strike an object or snag on a surface of very high friction during the swing phase of the gait cycle. In this case, our center of gravity shifts forward with the momentum from walking. We previously mentioned that the foot clears a four by only one quarter of an inch when walking. So causes of tripping often include changes in level, uneven walking surfaces or obstacles in a walking path. Falls are the result of slipping and tripping hazards when we're unable to recover our balance or a fall from elevation. When you fall, the part of the body that absorbs the energy of the fall during impact is most likely the injury site. The results of a fall may include sprains, broken bones, twisted angles, and loss of mobility. In considering your property or facility, identify we're accidents are more likely to occur. We call these hotspots, and we've grouped them into three general types, indoor, outdoor and those involving a change in level. Let's begin with indoor hotspots. Now Courtney will go into a little more detail about indoor walking surfaces and controls to help mitigate risks. Thank you, Alyssa. Some indoor walking areas tend to see a large volume of traffic in a relatively confined space, such as entrances or lobbies, so congestion can be an issue. Flooring materials may change from carpet to tile, for example. The change in friction from one surface to another could cause a problem. Also, cleaners or other floor treatments may alter the floor surface, and increase or decrease its slip resistance or the coefficient of friction. Aisles and passageways may have obstacles or there might be blind intersections where people could collide with each other or with equipment. Storage areas are commonplace for incidents to occur because of haphazard placement of stock or discarded packaging. Since these areas may be used infrequently, they may be overlooked and employees may minimize the importance of proper controls. Any area using water or other liquids should be evaluated. For example, be sure water fountains are calibrated so that the water doesn't overshoot or otherwise splash out of its collection pan. Bathrooms present unique concerns because of the presence of water. Keep in mind that when you take a perfectly safe, dry surface and add a little water, you can have a serious injury from a slip and fall. That doesn't mean that all tile floors are inherently unsafe when wet. Sometimes maintain a coefficient of friction above 0.5 even when wet, which you'll recall is a generally accepted benchmark for a safe walking surface. If you have fully equipped bathrooms that have tubs and showers, these introduce a greater chance of a slip trip and fall. By analogy, kitchens and food service areas present similar concerns because of the presence of spilled food and water, dishwashing and the use of oils. Now that we've taken a look at some common indoor hotspots that can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Let's talk about ways to help reduce the risk in some of these areas. Indoor walking areas should be kept dry, clean, and clear of hazards. This means no water or spills on the floor, no clutter to walk around or step on, no protruding nails or splinters, and no cracks, holes or uneven edges. Similarly, carpet seems like a good walking surface and it usually is, but not if it's loose, warped, worn or torn. Carpet should be securely attached and where there is a transition to another floor surface, it should be a quarter inch or less in thickness to reduce the likelihood of tripping. When you anticipate moisture getting on the floor, you need a plan. Placing bags at entrances for wet items, such as umbrellas is a good way to avoid bringing moisture into a building when rain is expected. As previously mentioned, bathrooms are also a hotspot for wet floors. Consider placing soap and towel dispensers above the counter so that soap and water are less likely to be tracked across the floor surface. Mats and runners at entryways help trap water and debris brought in from the outside, especially during inclement weather. These should be placed along likely pedestrian routes. In other words, traffic flow should dictate map placement. If pedestrian flow is difficult to predict due to the size or layout of the space. Barrier tape can be used to guide traffic towards temporary walkways equipped with mats. Mats should be of sufficient length to absorb water so that shoes are dry as people reach the unprotected floor. In this example shown here, the mat coverage is insufficient and the result is a slip fall hazard. Finally, keep in mind that mats may need to be trimmed to fit some spaces. Ensure all seems and edges remain flat and smooth. Avoid stacking or overlapping mats, as shown in the bottom right photo. As this could create a tripping hazard. In addition to the use of mats and runners, use wet floor signs during inclement weather or in areas where there is a spill or leak. Other means to prevent an injury may include non-slip floor treatments and grab bars in appropriate areas. In an industrial setting, marking permanent aisles and passageways can help deter the storage of items and areas where they might become a trip hazard. Where storage needs are known, such as for stock, dollies, forklifts or equipment. Designate and clearly mark these areas. Floor markings and signs may help along with staff training and subsequent enforcement. Lighting is a very important aspect of slip trip and fall prevention. Site is our primary means to recognize hazards and adjust our path of travel accordingly. It takes time for our eyes to adjust when walking in from outside, wet surfaces are clutter may not be conspicuous without enough light. Poor lighting can also make changes in level, such as stairways or ramps less visible, as well as fail to illuminate slight elevations or depressions where we would assume the surface to be even. Improve the lighting where needed and quickly replace burned out bulbs. Blind intersections are another potentially hazardous area to minimize the risk, use mirrors are warning signs. Remember, convex mirrors aren't just for industrial spaces, they work in offices as well. Finally, employee training and awareness is extremely important. Employees should know how to identify and avoid hazards in the workplace. They should also understand the precautions necessary to help prevent injury from occurring, such as making the area safe when they're able and promptly reporting any hazards they identify. To keep up with potential hazards, we recommend that you perform a general inspection of floors, aisles, and passageways on a monthly basis. If it rains or snows, you obviously need to check hazardous areas multiple times during the day. Some retail spaces or restrooms warrant a housekeeping log. These logs can help assure the inspections are being completed and they can also help in potential climb defense proceedings. Any deficiencies should be repaired immediately. If that isn't possible, block off the affected section of walkway or place warning signs near the area to alert people to the danger. These solutions are all fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of a slip trip fall claim. They're also easy to accomplish and they'll go a long way towards preventing slips, trips, and falls. Regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. Particularly in areas where the public regularly walks or areas where slips are seen as more likely to occur. Sweep logs and inspection records can be a helpful defense should there be an incident. Here's an example. A business opens at nine o'clock and beginning at nine and every hour until closing. The aisles and walkways are inspected by a designated employee who has the responsibility of making sure the site is clear of any hazards, spills, et cetera. The employee also signs off on the inspection record. Let's say a customer alleges a slip and fall at 11:15 in one  of the aisles. The employee has signed off on the log at 11:05, verifying the premises was all clear. This claim maybe resisted if there is no notice to the property owner of this hazard. And as a general rule, there needs to be reasonable notice of a hazard before you're required to correct the situation. Similarly, failure to maintain sweep logs may also work against you. Depending on your jurisdiction, that degree of benefit from having detailed sweep logs or inspection records may vary. Let's discuss housekeeping for a bit and keep in mind your own facility as we work through this. Good housekeeping practices are the best way to ensure clean, clutter-free walkways and to help prevent slips, trips, and falls. As previously mentioned, regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. If the slip hazard is observed. Promptness matters. Using barriers and warning signs is helpful if the spill or wet surface cannot be immediately cleaned and dried. Absorbent mats are helpful as our floor blowers for drawing. If wiring or cabling in walkways cannot be relocated elsewhere than covers are necessary to make the hazard apparent and to reduce the tripping potential. We would prefer to see the cover extended as far across the walkway as possible. In short, anticipate the potential hazards at your site and be prepared by having supplies and equipment you need readily available. Let's talk briefly about mopping. Staff that will be expected to perform mopping duties, should understand the concept of mob to dry, which means you shouldn't leave puddles behind that take a long time to dry. Mopping can control hazards, but it can also contribute to them. For general cleaning. Mop during low traffic hours and if possible, do one side of a walkway at a time rather than mopping from wall to wall. This leaves the other half of the walkway open for traffic. When mopping, use wet floor signs to warn of danger. As it's important to give visible clues to the hazard. When mopping is completed, remember to return any absorbent mats to the rightful places, such as underneath the water fountain. Okay, so we spent some time addressing hazards and controls associated with indoor walking surfaces. Now, Alyssa will take us through outdoor walking surfaces. Thank you, Courtney. Outdoor hotspots include sidewalks, plantings, parking lots, wheel stops, speed bumps, transitions, down spouts, and recreational areas. We'll explore several of these hotspots in more detail. But let's start by taking a look at the photo on your screen to uncover some hazards. As you can see, there are five steps on this pathway. Generally, codes require a handrail be provided where there are three or more steps. You can also see that drainage has washed some of the landscape bedding into the walkway. Slips don't solely result from water, but other surface contaminants as well, such as dust, sand, or mulch. Also notice that there is a transition at the leading edge of the sidewalk that presents a tripping hazard. And finally, you should consider if there is usage at night and whether the light pole can sufficiently illuminate the steps and walking surface. For obvious reasons. Outdoor surfaces are vulnerable to changes in weather. Ice, snow and rain may cause surfaces to becomes slippery. They can also hide other hazards such as minor surface depressions and storm sewer greats. Drainage is important on outside surfaces to prevent ponding and possible ice formation. It's important to be aware of the condition of your outdoor surfaces and remove snow and ice promptly. Pay attention to the areas that have a large volume of traffic and prioritize these areas. It's important to consider a pre-storm plan in your safety planning. This should start before the beginning of the winter season and include things like define responsibilities, including those for snow removal contractors, selection of snow and ice treatment products, and requirements for maintenance logs. In considering your ice melt products, it's worth noting that those containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, have a tendency to leave an oily residue on floors when tracked inside. You might consider using an alternate ice melt product around entrance ways or otherwise be sure that you clean forest diligently and provide walk off mats. Additionally, we can't forget about landscaping. While landscaping can add to the appearance of your facility, it could create hazards. You're planting should provide even transitions because uneven edges between the walking and planting areas can create a fall or trip hazard. The photo shown here has a grate around the tree to provide a level walking surface. But notice that the opening in the grate may create a tripping hazard which should be repaired. There are quite a few concerns as it relates to parking lots. Some parking lots may have potholes, cracks, uneven transitions, perhaps unmarked parking spaces or other walking hazards. In order to control some of these risks, parking lots should be regularly resurfaced. And if resurfacing is not a possibility, holes and cracks should be patched and hazardous areas should be highlighted. A safe walking paths should be outlined and traffic control measures should be implemented such as parking stripes, directional signs for walkways, and other methods. We also encourage the use of a slip resistant safety yellow paint wherever walking hazards exist, including curbs, wheel stops, and similar. Down spouts can create hazardous conditions when they dump water or other materials onto a sidewalk. In cold weather, this may also lead to icy conditions and in the summer may create a slime that results in a slippery surface. Debris that deposits may also be slippery or create tripping hazards and damp conditions may cause algae to grow. Ideally, you would want to have these issues eliminated during the design phase of a project. The top photo shows a solution where the water is safely plumbed underground. On the bottom, a fix was required where the concrete was cut and a drain installed to discharge in a less likely pedestrian area such as the street. The third hotspot we will discuss is change in level. Changes in level present unique considerations. And Courtney will discuss both some indoor and outdoor change in level, hazards and controls. Thank you. Places you will encounter a change in level include stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and loading docks. It's important to consider changes in level as it relates to slips, trips, and falls because falls related to changes in level are often more severe. Likewise, lack of sturdy handrails or guardrails may increase the severity of a slip, trip or fall. Let's talk about handrails. Providing continuous handrails on all stairways and on ramps longer than six feet can help pedestrians climb or descent safely and provide something for them to grasp should they lose their balance. The handrail should extend beyond the steps, generally, 18 inches and as shown on the right, they should be turned into the supporting structure or wall so that a person's clothing or an item such as a jacket or purse doesn't catch on the end. Height is also important. The objective is to have the majority of people be able to grasp a handrail comfortably. Most guidance specifies handrail should be placed 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing. Diameter also impacts the ability to comfortably and securely grip the handrail. A diameter between 1.25 and 2 inches is recommended. This allows for good gripping to prevent or otherwise control a fall. In areas where children are expected to use stairs frequently, such as in day cares or family hotels. An additional lower set of handrails may be appropriate. Stairways and ramps should be made of or coated with a non slip surface to prevent slips and falls. The stair is being coated with the polyurethane non slip treatment. These can work well, but be aware that coatings will wear over time and may need to be reapplied. Stair treads should provide adequate footing. Any non slip surface applied to the stair should be placed to assure that it effectively covers the walking surface. Uniform tread width and heights are also important. This allows people to get into and maintain a rhythmic gait, while ascending or descending. Elevators have two conditions which may cause an incident. The first is the threshold between the door cab and the floor which needs to be flush. Again. Keep in mind the quarter-inch clearance in our gait. It doesn't take much to create a tripping hazard. Secondly, the operation of the elevator car should be smooth. Jerky movements can cause someone to lose their balance and fall. The sensing mechanisms of the elevator are very important in preventing falls and other injuries. There are sensors in the cab door to prevent them from closing on people. And there are some sensors at each floor which detect the presence of the cab so the doors don't open without the cab being present. Elevator performance issues should be serviced by a qualified maintenance company. Escalators have their own unique hazards. The sidewalls of the escalator are dangerous because they don't move. If you have your foot on the stair next to the sidewall, the bottom portion of your shoe will want to continue moving with the stair. However, the side of the shoe may stick to the sidewall and resist movement causing a loss of balance. Stepping onto or off of an escalator poses a danger because of the change in motion, which can cause a person to lose their balance and fall. When stepping off an escalator, a clear area is needed so that those behind can exit freely. Therefore, there should be no barriers or distractions such as advertising signs or displays in the exit ramp area that might cause people to stall on the landing. Accidents can occur. Therefore, emergency shutoff switches should be conspicuously placed at both the top and bottom of the escalator and routinely inspected and tested. The clearance between the steps and the side skirting should be less than three sixteenths of an inch. This helps prevent fingers, clothing, or other objects from being caught. Many escalators have taper brushes to keep objects from being caught as well. Warning signs are required to be posted. Warning of the hazards of escalators, as well as indicating their safe use, such as use of handrails, holding children's hands, and prohibiting strollers. Loading docks are fairly typical of fall-related hazards due to the sudden drop off. Let's take a look at this picture, which isn't uncommon for a loading dock area. There are changes in level at the stairs, the loading dock, and along the retaining wall at the left. The handrails on both sets of steps look pretty good. And they're are guard rails provided? A drainage grate is provided in front of the loading dock, which should effectively collect runoff. Also, a dock lock is provided to secure a truck or trailer in place so that workers can enter safely and there are railings to either side of the opening. However, you may have noticed that there's an unprotected opening at the dock when there's no truck there, a guard rail is needed to help prevent people or equipment from falling off the dock. There are a variety of movable gates and barriers for this purpose. Standards and codes give us guidance for safe walking surfaces. OSHA, ANSI and ASTM, are the lead organizations that develop standards and recommendations regarding a number of slip trip and fall issues, which include the general condition of walking surfaces, visibility, the presence and condition of handrails and guard rails and accessibility. Some of them address the slip resistance of walking surfaces for which there's a specific ANSI standard. The picture on this slide illustrates that in some cases, standards may not go far enough. On one side, the handrails are not continuous and on the other, there's no rail at all. It's not too hard to imagine someone falling on the stairway. Yet. This happens to be code compliant for the jurisdiction where it's located. Now that we've covered common hazards that lead to slips, trips, and falls, as well as controls to help reduce the risk. Alyssa will talk about risk management practices and the next steps for you to consider after watching this webinar. Thank you. When we think of slips, trips, and falls, our first thought probably jumps to physical hazards that might influence a person to lose their balance or fall. It's important for us to see further than that. We must also look at usage realities. Consider things like are there are peak periods when the area is congested, is there use of the area at night or in compromised lighting. How is the area being used? For example, the parking lot picture looks fairly maintained. But when considering usage realities, you have to use your experience to look at the bigger pictures. Parking lots generally have orderly rows, but people often don't reliably walk down rows. They sometimes take shortcuts, sometimes across landscaping islands where you don't expect pedestrian traffic, but the exposure may occur. And finally, we need to take into account who uses the premises. Is it employees who are familiar with the environment, are they visitors or customers, perhaps children or the elderly? These are all factors that should influence the precautions that you take. As you've seen, there's a lot of information relating to slip trips and falls. Hazards can be addressed as they are encountered. But for the best solution, you want an effective safety management system in place. As with other initiatives and programs, the essential element of an effective management system is to gain ownership of the senior management or buy-in. Controlling slips, trips, and falls requires time, money, and initiative. If management is not committed than the process may not work effectively or consistently. The first step in the system is hazard control. Hazard control is the action of identifying physical or behavioral items that may increase the risk of a slip trip fall event. Whether it's spilt water at the beverage station or inclement weather outside, potential hazards need to be identified and mitigated. This is the substance of what we've covered in reviewing hotspots. The event is not static, however, and that's why it's important to create an inspection and maintenance program. Inspection checklists are a valuable tool to help identify when something requires attention. Hazards may result from a temporary issue, such as weather or gradual wear over time that often goes unnoticed unless intentionally and thoughtfully examined. Regular preventative maintenance helps. But when hazards are identified, their ability to respond, among other priorities is important as well. If an incident does occur, you need an incident response plan. As you know, no matter how diligent you are, there may still be an incident involving an employee, visitor, or customer. When this happens, a thorough and immediate incident response can help you address the event as it unfolds, including planning on who responds and the care and messaging provided, preparing how to secure and preserve any and all information related to the incident is a key part of the response. The next element in the system is incident analysis. This element deals with identifying root causes of why an incident occurred and developing measures to help prevent these from reoccurring. Sometimes this requires a near term fix and the later one that might involve capital to finance a permanent solution. The point is that you want to prevent a reoccurrence at the accident site and any other location were similar potential exists. So what's next? How do you apply what you've learned today for your facility? First, you have to gain buy-in or commitment. This includes senior management supervisors, maintenance staff, and others that are seen to have a role. Finally, everyone in the organization needs to understand as we reviewed the cost of slips, trips and falls, and their responsibilities in helping ensuring a safe premises. If you don't already have one, develop and implement a formal slip trip and fall management plan. Develop action plans and review and update them regularly. But don't do this alone. Makes sure that you get others involved along the way and educate folks as to why this is important. Understanding your risks and implementing effective controls can go a long way in preventing and minimizing the impacts of slips, trips, and falls. There are many ways to create an action plan to move forward with the next steps that we've just recommended. You can see on your screen one simple way to create a basic action plan that includes the action items and a way to keep track with your plan. Key action items include get management sponsor, senior management needs to be committed, but other levels of management need buy-in for the process to work. Develop a checklist of hotspots. Those areas where slips, trips, and falls are more likely to occur. Conduct inspections and observations periodically. We have resources to help with this, which will introduce shortly, identify, and prioritize deficiencies, the likelihood of an incident or its potential severity manner. Make the repairs or improvements or budget for them if it requires capital expenses. Revising procedures might be needed, such as how often floors are cleaned, mats are replaced, or inspections conducted. Make recommendations to management. At the points where approvals are acquired. Train your employees. They are as important a resource for identifying hazards as is your inspection program. They should understand their responsibilities in making an area safe or reporting it to the proper person. And finally, develop a formal incident investigation system to identify the cause and corrective measures to prevent recurrences. Now that you understand the actions usually take to reduce the likelihood of a slip trip and fall. Let's talk about what you need to think about in the unfortunate event that you do have an incident, it's important to remember that claim should be reported promptly through the travelers preferred method. Early reporting can lead to better results and Courtney will talk through what to expect as it relates to the Travelers Claim experience. Thanks, Alyssa. Here are some things you can do to assist the claim department in the investigation of claims reported. You'll want to preserve important documentation that can facilitate the investigation process such as incident and security reports, sweep logs and inspection records, photos, and video surveillance if available. Lease contracts, if you're a property owner or tenant. And vendor contracts, for example, contracts with your cleaning company or floor mat supplier. These may all be necessary in assessing what your legal responsibility, maybe, if any, for the loss. We now understand the importance of slip trip and fall prevention using sound risk management practices. We'll wrap up with some frequently asked questions and will let you know where you can find additional Travelers resources on this topic. Okay. Our first question is, If we require non-slip footwear, how often will the shoes need to be replaced? The answer to that is that it will depend on where. But generally speaking, six months is a good length of time to expect a work shoe to last. The second question is, how often should we change out floor mats? That's also going to depend on how fast they wear. If they don't lay flat, or if they slip, or if they don't absorb moisture, it's time to replace them. If a service company changes your mats, don't simply wait until their next scheduled visit to address these issues. The next question is, in the summer our tile floors sweat, we come in to open in the morning and the floors have condensation on them. What can we do about that? Well, if you've turned back your HVAC system at night to save energy, it could be that the humidity has increased to the point the cold floor has dew forming. So you'll need to work with your facility staff or HVAC contractor to adjust the dehumidification settings during the overnight hours. The fourth question you see here is, does it make a difference where we replace wheel stops in our parking areas? To avoid a tripping hazard, it's best to place them so they are centered directly in front of the car, not into the space between vehicles. Alyssa, I'm going to turn it back over to you to cover the remaining frequently asked questions and discuss some slip trip and fall resources. Thank you, Courtney. Another question that we get is how much light is enough? And this will depend on the conditions and the users changing from a bright light outdoors and then entering a building would suggests the need for bright transition, for example. Another question we receive is, does the size of hand rails matter? We've built some using two-by-fours, would that be okay? For this situation that would probably too large for most people to get their hand around. Codes generally specify one and a quarter to two inch diameters. And if it's not round, a circumference between four and six and one fourth inches, which is a good bit less than a two-by-four. One final question that we often get is how should we respond when someone informs us a week or even a month after the date they say they fell. And late reporting can present more challenges by not being able to quickly gather the facts. But we would still want to begin an immediate investigation into the what, where, when, and how of the incident. Travelers has some resources to help you with your slip trip and fall management program from hazard control through incident investigation. And you can find these resources on our Travelers Risk Control Portal at www.travelers.com slash Risk Control. We've now reached the end of our webinar and we hope that you found it informative and thank you for your time. If you do have additional questions, please reach out to your Risk Control Consultant. This will conclude our webinar. Thank you.

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Welcome and thank you for joining this Travelers Risk Control webinar on Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention. My name is Alyssa Jensen and I'm a Human Factors and Ergonomics consultant. Co-presenting today is Courtney Phillips. Courtney is a business liaison for Risk Control. Now, before we get started, I want to review this disclaimer. This webinar will be providing you with some best practices. But this presentation does not constitute as legal advice. During this session, we can't possibly cover every scenario that you may encounter. Additionally, this presentation does not account for slip trip and fall risks unique to persons with disabilities. Since every company and scenario is unique, it's your responsibility to take this information and apply it in a manner that best fits your company's unique situation. Our objectives today are to assist you in identifying common slip trip and fall hazards, as well as understanding their mechanics and industry statistics. We will also provide you with possible means of reducing the likelihood of an incident. And strategies for long-term risk management, including developing a formal safety plan. While knowledge and awareness are hopeful, a formal safety plan or program is recommended for successful outcomes. The claims process will also be reviewed to assist you when working closely with our claims representatives to more effectively manage slips, trips, and falls if or when they do occur. Lastly, we will conclude with Frequently Asked Questions and places to find additional resources. Let's begin by taking a look at the impact of slips, trips, and falls. We will do this by going through some industry statistics and discussing the costs that arise from claims associated with slips, trips, and falls. This data represents both personal and occupational injuries and demonstrates that slip, trip, and fall injuries are a significant source of claims for businesses. Per our travelers claims data, slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of premises liability claims in terms of costs. There are also a leading cause of emergency room visits per the National Floor Safety Institute. The third leading cause of death and workplace as well. That statistic is from the National Safety Council, who also indicates that for work related injuries, slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause of days away from work. As we just mentioned, industry data indicates that slips, trips, and falls are a significant source of claims. Our travelers claims data, paints a consistent picture. From 2010 to 2016, our data indicates that for general liability claims where, for example, a non employee falls on your premises, slips, trips, and falls cause over half of Travelers claims. We've looked at the frequency of slips, trips, and falls, but what about the cost? The National Safety Council indicates that for workers compensation claims, these are the third costliest cause of claims. This is the latest available data and recently burns have pushed slips, trips, and falls from the number two spot where it had historically placed. Interestingly, our clients are frequently more concerned with strains from material handling or cumulative injuries. And while those costs are not insignificant, we do see that slips, trips, and falls are far more prevalent exposure as we tend to walk more often than we might lift or carry items. We've looked at statistics associated with the frequency and cost implications of slips, trips, and falls. Now let's spend some time talking about the movements associated with slips, trips, and falls and what causes them. Think for a moment about your movements when you walk normally. What do you think the clearance of your foot is when taking a step? It may be surprising to find out that when walking, your foot in motion clears the ground by only a quarter of an inch. Many people assume it's much higher. This minimal clearance means that even seemingly minor surface obstructions or defects may cause a person to trip. To understand this better, let's talk a little bit more about the mechanics of slips, trips, and falls. In order to prevent injuries, it's helpful to understand the physics or mechanics of what's involved with person slips, trips, and falls. But before getting into those, let's first discuss walking. The technical term for walking is the human gait cycle and is commonly broken down into two phases. The stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase includes the heel striking the ground and the weight shifting onto the planted foot. The swing phase includes the toe lifting from the following foot and forward swinging of the leg. This cycle is repeated with each step a person takes. Slips and trips occur when this cycle is interrupted. A slip occurs when the heel strikes the ground but slides out. When this happens, our upper body weight shifts in the opposite direction. Slips are often associated with contaminated floor surfaces, think like ice, wax, sand, grease or even spilled coffee, as shown in the photo above. We might refer to these surfaces are being slippery. But when we say slippery, What do we mean? We have a technical term for it called the coefficient of friction, sometimes referred to as COF, which we use to measure the relative slipperiness of a surface. We can measure this using a device commonly referred to as a slip meter, but more technically as a trib-ometer. A coefficient of friction measuring 0.5 or greater is generally regarded as suitable for safe walking. Knowing the COF can be helpful at times, including investigating a claim or when making design choices for flooring. Tile manufacturers, for example, tend to provide this information on their store samples to help customers make informed decisions. A trip occurs when the toes or foot abruptly strike an object or snag on a surface of very high friction during the swing phase of the gait cycle. In this case, our center of gravity shifts forward with the momentum from walking. We previously mentioned that the foot clears a four by only one quarter of an inch when walking. So causes of tripping often include changes in level, uneven walking surfaces or obstacles in a walking path. Falls are the result of slipping and tripping hazards when we're unable to recover our balance or a fall from elevation. When you fall, the part of the body that absorbs the energy of the fall during impact is most likely the injury site. The results of a fall may include sprains, broken bones, twisted angles, and loss of mobility. In considering your property or facility, identify we're accidents are more likely to occur. We call these hotspots, and we've grouped them into three general types, indoor, outdoor and those involving a change in level. Let's begin with indoor hotspots. Now Courtney will go into a little more detail about indoor walking surfaces and controls to help mitigate risks. Thank you, Alyssa. Some indoor walking areas tend to see a large volume of traffic in a relatively confined space, such as entrances or lobbies, so congestion can be an issue. Flooring materials may change from carpet to tile, for example. The change in friction from one surface to another could cause a problem. Also, cleaners or other floor treatments may alter the floor surface, and increase or decrease its slip resistance or the coefficient of friction. Aisles and passageways may have obstacles or there might be blind intersections where people could collide with each other or with equipment. Storage areas are commonplace for incidents to occur because of haphazard placement of stock or discarded packaging. Since these areas may be used infrequently, they may be overlooked and employees may minimize the importance of proper controls. Any area using water or other liquids should be evaluated. For example, be sure water fountains are calibrated so that the water doesn't overshoot or otherwise splash out of its collection pan. Bathrooms present unique concerns because of the presence of water. Keep in mind that when you take a perfectly safe, dry surface and add a little water, you can have a serious injury from a slip and fall. That doesn't mean that all tile floors are inherently unsafe when wet. Sometimes maintain a coefficient of friction above 0.5 even when wet, which you'll recall is a generally accepted benchmark for a safe walking surface. If you have fully equipped bathrooms that have tubs and showers, these introduce a greater chance of a slip trip and fall. By analogy, kitchens and food service areas present similar concerns because of the presence of spilled food and water, dishwashing and the use of oils. Now that we've taken a look at some common indoor hotspots that can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Let's talk about ways to help reduce the risk in some of these areas. Indoor walking areas should be kept dry, clean, and clear of hazards. This means no water or spills on the floor, no clutter to walk around or step on, no protruding nails or splinters, and no cracks, holes or uneven edges. Similarly, carpet seems like a good walking surface and it usually is, but not if it's loose, warped, worn or torn. Carpet should be securely attached and where there is a transition to another floor surface, it should be a quarter inch or less in thickness to reduce the likelihood of tripping. When you anticipate moisture getting on the floor, you need a plan. Placing bags at entrances for wet items, such as umbrellas is a good way to avoid bringing moisture into a building when rain is expected. As previously mentioned, bathrooms are also a hotspot for wet floors. Consider placing soap and towel dispensers above the counter so that soap and water are less likely to be tracked across the floor surface. Mats and runners at entryways help trap water and debris brought in from the outside, especially during inclement weather. These should be placed along likely pedestrian routes. In other words, traffic flow should dictate map placement. If pedestrian flow is difficult to predict due to the size or layout of the space. Barrier tape can be used to guide traffic towards temporary walkways equipped with mats. Mats should be of sufficient length to absorb water so that shoes are dry as people reach the unprotected floor. In this example shown here, the mat coverage is insufficient and the result is a slip fall hazard. Finally, keep in mind that mats may need to be trimmed to fit some spaces. Ensure all seems and edges remain flat and smooth. Avoid stacking or overlapping mats, as shown in the bottom right photo. As this could create a tripping hazard. In addition to the use of mats and runners, use wet floor signs during inclement weather or in areas where there is a spill or leak. Other means to prevent an injury may include non-slip floor treatments and grab bars in appropriate areas. In an industrial setting, marking permanent aisles and passageways can help deter the storage of items and areas where they might become a trip hazard. Where storage needs are known, such as for stock, dollies, forklifts or equipment. Designate and clearly mark these areas. Floor markings and signs may help along with staff training and subsequent enforcement. Lighting is a very important aspect of slip trip and fall prevention. Site is our primary means to recognize hazards and adjust our path of travel accordingly. It takes time for our eyes to adjust when walking in from outside, wet surfaces are clutter may not be conspicuous without enough light. Poor lighting can also make changes in level, such as stairways or ramps less visible, as well as fail to illuminate slight elevations or depressions where we would assume the surface to be even. Improve the lighting where needed and quickly replace burned out bulbs. Blind intersections are another potentially hazardous area to minimize the risk, use mirrors are warning signs. Remember, convex mirrors aren't just for industrial spaces, they work in offices as well. Finally, employee training and awareness is extremely important. Employees should know how to identify and avoid hazards in the workplace. They should also understand the precautions necessary to help prevent injury from occurring, such as making the area safe when they're able and promptly reporting any hazards they identify. To keep up with potential hazards, we recommend that you perform a general inspection of floors, aisles, and passageways on a monthly basis. If it rains or snows, you obviously need to check hazardous areas multiple times during the day. Some retail spaces or restrooms warrant a housekeeping log. These logs can help assure the inspections are being completed and they can also help in potential climb defense proceedings. Any deficiencies should be repaired immediately. If that isn't possible, block off the affected section of walkway or place warning signs near the area to alert people to the danger. These solutions are all fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of a slip trip fall claim. They're also easy to accomplish and they'll go a long way towards preventing slips, trips, and falls. Regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. Particularly in areas where the public regularly walks or areas where slips are seen as more likely to occur. Sweep logs and inspection records can be a helpful defense should there be an incident. Here's an example. A business opens at nine o'clock and beginning at nine and every hour until closing. The aisles and walkways are inspected by a designated employee who has the responsibility of making sure the site is clear of any hazards, spills, et cetera. The employee also signs off on the inspection record. Let's say a customer alleges a slip and fall at 11:15 in one  of the aisles. The employee has signed off on the log at 11:05, verifying the premises was all clear. This claim maybe resisted if there is no notice to the property owner of this hazard. And as a general rule, there needs to be reasonable notice of a hazard before you're required to correct the situation. Similarly, failure to maintain sweep logs may also work against you. Depending on your jurisdiction, that degree of benefit from having detailed sweep logs or inspection records may vary. Let's discuss housekeeping for a bit and keep in mind your own facility as we work through this. Good housekeeping practices are the best way to ensure clean, clutter-free walkways and to help prevent slips, trips, and falls. As previously mentioned, regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. If the slip hazard is observed. Promptness matters. Using barriers and warning signs is helpful if the spill or wet surface cannot be immediately cleaned and dried. Absorbent mats are helpful as our floor blowers for drawing. If wiring or cabling in walkways cannot be relocated elsewhere than covers are necessary to make the hazard apparent and to reduce the tripping potential. We would prefer to see the cover extended as far across the walkway as possible. In short, anticipate the potential hazards at your site and be prepared by having supplies and equipment you need readily available. Let's talk briefly about mopping. Staff that will be expected to perform mopping duties, should understand the concept of mob to dry, which means you shouldn't leave puddles behind that take a long time to dry. Mopping can control hazards, but it can also contribute to them. For general cleaning. Mop during low traffic hours and if possible, do one side of a walkway at a time rather than mopping from wall to wall. This leaves the other half of the walkway open for traffic. When mopping, use wet floor signs to warn of danger. As it's important to give visible clues to the hazard. When mopping is completed, remember to return any absorbent mats to the rightful places, such as underneath the water fountain. Okay, so we spent some time addressing hazards and controls associated with indoor walking surfaces. Now, Alyssa will take us through outdoor walking surfaces. Thank you, Courtney. Outdoor hotspots include sidewalks, plantings, parking lots, wheel stops, speed bumps, transitions, down spouts, and recreational areas. We'll explore several of these hotspots in more detail. But let's start by taking a look at the photo on your screen to uncover some hazards. As you can see, there are five steps on this pathway. Generally, codes require a handrail be provided where there are three or more steps. You can also see that drainage has washed some of the landscape bedding into the walkway. Slips don't solely result from water, but other surface contaminants as well, such as dust, sand, or mulch. Also notice that there is a transition at the leading edge of the sidewalk that presents a tripping hazard. And finally, you should consider if there is usage at night and whether the light pole can sufficiently illuminate the steps and walking surface. For obvious reasons. Outdoor surfaces are vulnerable to changes in weather. Ice, snow and rain may cause surfaces to becomes slippery. They can also hide other hazards such as minor surface depressions and storm sewer greats. Drainage is important on outside surfaces to prevent ponding and possible ice formation. It's important to be aware of the condition of your outdoor surfaces and remove snow and ice promptly. Pay attention to the areas that have a large volume of traffic and prioritize these areas. It's important to consider a pre-storm plan in your safety planning. This should start before the beginning of the winter season and include things like define responsibilities, including those for snow removal contractors, selection of snow and ice treatment products, and requirements for maintenance logs. In considering your ice melt products, it's worth noting that those containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, have a tendency to leave an oily residue on floors when tracked inside. You might consider using an alternate ice melt product around entrance ways or otherwise be sure that you clean forest diligently and provide walk off mats. Additionally, we can't forget about landscaping. While landscaping can add to the appearance of your facility, it could create hazards. You're planting should provide even transitions because uneven edges between the walking and planting areas can create a fall or trip hazard. The photo shown here has a grate around the tree to provide a level walking surface. But notice that the opening in the grate may create a tripping hazard which should be repaired. There are quite a few concerns as it relates to parking lots. Some parking lots may have potholes, cracks, uneven transitions, perhaps unmarked parking spaces or other walking hazards. In order to control some of these risks, parking lots should be regularly resurfaced. And if resurfacing is not a possibility, holes and cracks should be patched and hazardous areas should be highlighted. A safe walking paths should be outlined and traffic control measures should be implemented such as parking stripes, directional signs for walkways, and other methods. We also encourage the use of a slip resistant safety yellow paint wherever walking hazards exist, including curbs, wheel stops, and similar. Down spouts can create hazardous conditions when they dump water or other materials onto a sidewalk. In cold weather, this may also lead to icy conditions and in the summer may create a slime that results in a slippery surface. Debris that deposits may also be slippery or create tripping hazards and damp conditions may cause algae to grow. Ideally, you would want to have these issues eliminated during the design phase of a project. The top photo shows a solution where the water is safely plumbed underground. On the bottom, a fix was required where the concrete was cut and a drain installed to discharge in a less likely pedestrian area such as the street. The third hotspot we will discuss is change in level. Changes in level present unique considerations. And Courtney will discuss both some indoor and outdoor change in level, hazards and controls. Thank you. Places you will encounter a change in level include stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and loading docks. It's important to consider changes in level as it relates to slips, trips, and falls because falls related to changes in level are often more severe. Likewise, lack of sturdy handrails or guardrails may increase the severity of a slip, trip or fall. Let's talk about handrails. Providing continuous handrails on all stairways and on ramps longer than six feet can help pedestrians climb or descent safely and provide something for them to grasp should they lose their balance. The handrail should extend beyond the steps, generally, 18 inches and as shown on the right, they should be turned into the supporting structure or wall so that a person's clothing or an item such as a jacket or purse doesn't catch on the end. Height is also important. The objective is to have the majority of people be able to grasp a handrail comfortably. Most guidance specifies handrail should be placed 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing. Diameter also impacts the ability to comfortably and securely grip the handrail. A diameter between 1.25 and 2 inches is recommended. This allows for good gripping to prevent or otherwise control a fall. In areas where children are expected to use stairs frequently, such as in day cares or family hotels. An additional lower set of handrails may be appropriate. Stairways and ramps should be made of or coated with a non slip surface to prevent slips and falls. The stair is being coated with the polyurethane non slip treatment. These can work well, but be aware that coatings will wear over time and may need to be reapplied. Stair treads should provide adequate footing. Any non slip surface applied to the stair should be placed to assure that it effectively covers the walking surface. Uniform tread width and heights are also important. This allows people to get into and maintain a rhythmic gait, while ascending or descending. Elevators have two conditions which may cause an incident. The first is the threshold between the door cab and the floor which needs to be flush. Again. Keep in mind the quarter-inch clearance in our gait. It doesn't take much to create a tripping hazard. Secondly, the operation of the elevator car should be smooth. Jerky movements can cause someone to lose their balance and fall. The sensing mechanisms of the elevator are very important in preventing falls and other injuries. There are sensors in the cab door to prevent them from closing on people. And there are some sensors at each floor which detect the presence of the cab so the doors don't open without the cab being present. Elevator performance issues should be serviced by a qualified maintenance company. Escalators have their own unique hazards. The sidewalls of the escalator are dangerous because they don't move. If you have your foot on the stair next to the sidewall, the bottom portion of your shoe will want to continue moving with the stair. However, the side of the shoe may stick to the sidewall and resist movement causing a loss of balance. Stepping onto or off of an escalator poses a danger because of the change in motion, which can cause a person to lose their balance and fall. When stepping off an escalator, a clear area is needed so that those behind can exit freely. Therefore, there should be no barriers or distractions such as advertising signs or displays in the exit ramp area that might cause people to stall on the landing. Accidents can occur. Therefore, emergency shutoff switches should be conspicuously placed at both the top and bottom of the escalator and routinely inspected and tested. The clearance between the steps and the side skirting should be less than three sixteenths of an inch. This helps prevent fingers, clothing, or other objects from being caught. Many escalators have taper brushes to keep objects from being caught as well. Warning signs are required to be posted. Warning of the hazards of escalators, as well as indicating their safe use, such as use of handrails, holding children's hands, and prohibiting strollers. Loading docks are fairly typical of fall-related hazards due to the sudden drop off. Let's take a look at this picture, which isn't uncommon for a loading dock area. There are changes in level at the stairs, the loading dock, and along the retaining wall at the left. The handrails on both sets of steps look pretty good. And they're are guard rails provided? A drainage grate is provided in front of the loading dock, which should effectively collect runoff. Also, a dock lock is provided to secure a truck or trailer in place so that workers can enter safely and there are railings to either side of the opening. However, you may have noticed that there's an unprotected opening at the dock when there's no truck there, a guard rail is needed to help prevent people or equipment from falling off the dock. There are a variety of movable gates and barriers for this purpose. Standards and codes give us guidance for safe walking surfaces. OSHA, ANSI and ASTM, are the lead organizations that develop standards and recommendations regarding a number of slip trip and fall issues, which include the general condition of walking surfaces, visibility, the presence and condition of handrails and guard rails and accessibility. Some of them address the slip resistance of walking surfaces for which there's a specific ANSI standard. The picture on this slide illustrates that in some cases, standards may not go far enough. On one side, the handrails are not continuous and on the other, there's no rail at all. It's not too hard to imagine someone falling on the stairway. Yet. This happens to be code compliant for the jurisdiction where it's located. Now that we've covered common hazards that lead to slips, trips, and falls, as well as controls to help reduce the risk. Alyssa will talk about risk management practices and the next steps for you to consider after watching this webinar. Thank you. When we think of slips, trips, and falls, our first thought probably jumps to physical hazards that might influence a person to lose their balance or fall. It's important for us to see further than that. We must also look at usage realities. Consider things like are there are peak periods when the area is congested, is there use of the area at night or in compromised lighting. How is the area being used? For example, the parking lot picture looks fairly maintained. But when considering usage realities, you have to use your experience to look at the bigger pictures. Parking lots generally have orderly rows, but people often don't reliably walk down rows. They sometimes take shortcuts, sometimes across landscaping islands where you don't expect pedestrian traffic, but the exposure may occur. And finally, we need to take into account who uses the premises. Is it employees who are familiar with the environment, are they visitors or customers, perhaps children or the elderly? These are all factors that should influence the precautions that you take. As you've seen, there's a lot of information relating to slip trips and falls. Hazards can be addressed as they are encountered. But for the best solution, you want an effective safety management system in place. As with other initiatives and programs, the essential element of an effective management system is to gain ownership of the senior management or buy-in. Controlling slips, trips, and falls requires time, money, and initiative. If management is not committed than the process may not work effectively or consistently. The first step in the system is hazard control. Hazard control is the action of identifying physical or behavioral items that may increase the risk of a slip trip fall event. Whether it's spilt water at the beverage station or inclement weather outside, potential hazards need to be identified and mitigated. This is the substance of what we've covered in reviewing hotspots. The event is not static, however, and that's why it's important to create an inspection and maintenance program. Inspection checklists are a valuable tool to help identify when something requires attention. Hazards may result from a temporary issue, such as weather or gradual wear over time that often goes unnoticed unless intentionally and thoughtfully examined. Regular preventative maintenance helps. But when hazards are identified, their ability to respond, among other priorities is important as well. If an incident does occur, you need an incident response plan. As you know, no matter how diligent you are, there may still be an incident involving an employee, visitor, or customer. When this happens, a thorough and immediate incident response can help you address the event as it unfolds, including planning on who responds and the care and messaging provided, preparing how to secure and preserve any and all information related to the incident is a key part of the response. The next element in the system is incident analysis. This element deals with identifying root causes of why an incident occurred and developing measures to help prevent these from reoccurring. Sometimes this requires a near term fix and the later one that might involve capital to finance a permanent solution. The point is that you want to prevent a reoccurrence at the accident site and any other location were similar potential exists. So what's next? How do you apply what you've learned today for your facility? First, you have to gain buy-in or commitment. This includes senior management supervisors, maintenance staff, and others that are seen to have a role. Finally, everyone in the organization needs to understand as we reviewed the cost of slips, trips and falls, and their responsibilities in helping ensuring a safe premises. If you don't already have one, develop and implement a formal slip trip and fall management plan. Develop action plans and review and update them regularly. But don't do this alone. Makes sure that you get others involved along the way and educate folks as to why this is important. Understanding your risks and implementing effective controls can go a long way in preventing and minimizing the impacts of slips, trips, and falls. There are many ways to create an action plan to move forward with the next steps that we've just recommended. You can see on your screen one simple way to create a basic action plan that includes the action items and a way to keep track with your plan. Key action items include get management sponsor, senior management needs to be committed, but other levels of management need buy-in for the process to work. Develop a checklist of hotspots. Those areas where slips, trips, and falls are more likely to occur. Conduct inspections and observations periodically. We have resources to help with this, which will introduce shortly, identify, and prioritize deficiencies, the likelihood of an incident or its potential severity manner. Make the repairs or improvements or budget for them if it requires capital expenses. Revising procedures might be needed, such as how often floors are cleaned, mats are replaced, or inspections conducted. Make recommendations to management. At the points where approvals are acquired. Train your employees. They are as important a resource for identifying hazards as is your inspection program. They should understand their responsibilities in making an area safe or reporting it to the proper person. And finally, develop a formal incident investigation system to identify the cause and corrective measures to prevent recurrences. Now that you understand the actions usually take to reduce the likelihood of a slip trip and fall. Let's talk about what you need to think about in the unfortunate event that you do have an incident, it's important to remember that claim should be reported promptly through the travelers preferred method. Early reporting can lead to better results and Courtney will talk through what to expect as it relates to the Travelers Claim experience. Thanks, Alyssa. Here are some things you can do to assist the claim department in the investigation of claims reported. You'll want to preserve important documentation that can facilitate the investigation process such as incident and security reports, sweep logs and inspection records, photos, and video surveillance if available. Lease contracts, if you're a property owner or tenant. And vendor contracts, for example, contracts with your cleaning company or floor mat supplier. These may all be necessary in assessing what your legal responsibility, maybe, if any, for the loss. We now understand the importance of slip trip and fall prevention using sound risk management practices. We'll wrap up with some frequently asked questions and will let you know where you can find additional Travelers resources on this topic. Okay. Our first question is, If we require non-slip footwear, how often will the shoes need to be replaced? The answer to that is that it will depend on where. But generally speaking, six months is a good length of time to expect a work shoe to last. The second question is, how often should we change out floor mats? That's also going to depend on how fast they wear. If they don't lay flat, or if they slip, or if they don't absorb moisture, it's time to replace them. If a service company changes your mats, don't simply wait until their next scheduled visit to address these issues. The next question is, in the summer our tile floors sweat, we come in to open in the morning and the floors have condensation on them. What can we do about that? Well, if you've turned back your HVAC system at night to save energy, it could be that the humidity has increased to the point the cold floor has dew forming. So you'll need to work with your facility staff or HVAC contractor to adjust the dehumidification settings during the overnight hours. The fourth question you see here is, does it make a difference where we replace wheel stops in our parking areas? To avoid a tripping hazard, it's best to place them so they are centered directly in front of the car, not into the space between vehicles. Alyssa, I'm going to turn it back over to you to cover the remaining frequently asked questions and discuss some slip trip and fall resources. Thank you, Courtney. Another question that we get is how much light is enough? And this will depend on the conditions and the users changing from a bright light outdoors and then entering a building would suggests the need for bright transition, for example. Another question we receive is, does the size of hand rails matter? We've built some using two-by-fours, would that be okay? For this situation that would probably too large for most people to get their hand around. Codes generally specify one and a quarter to two inch diameters. And if it's not round, a circumference between four and six and one fourth inches, which is a good bit less than a two-by-four. One final question that we often get is how should we respond when someone informs us a week or even a month after the date they say they fell. And late reporting can present more challenges by not being able to quickly gather the facts. But we would still want to begin an immediate investigation into the what, where, when, and how of the incident. Travelers has some resources to help you with your slip trip and fall management program from hazard control through incident investigation. And you can find these resources on our Travelers Risk Control Portal at www.travelers.com slash Risk Control. We've now reached the end of our webinar and we hope that you found it informative and thank you for your time. If you do have additional questions, please reach out to your Risk Control Consultant. This will conclude our webinar. Thank you.

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Welcome and thank you for joining this Travelers Risk Control webinar on Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention. My name is Alyssa Jensen and I'm a Human Factors and Ergonomics consultant. Co-presenting today is Courtney Phillips. Courtney is a business liaison for Risk Control. Now, before we get started, I want to review this disclaimer. This webinar will be providing you with some best practices. But this presentation does not constitute as legal advice. During this session, we can't possibly cover every scenario that you may encounter. Additionally, this presentation does not account for slip trip and fall risks unique to persons with disabilities. Since every company and scenario is unique, it's your responsibility to take this information and apply it in a manner that best fits your company's unique situation. Our objectives today are to assist you in identifying common slip trip and fall hazards, as well as understanding their mechanics and industry statistics. We will also provide you with possible means of reducing the likelihood of an incident. And strategies for long-term risk management, including developing a formal safety plan. While knowledge and awareness are hopeful, a formal safety plan or program is recommended for successful outcomes. The claims process will also be reviewed to assist you when working closely with our claims representatives to more effectively manage slips, trips, and falls if or when they do occur. Lastly, we will conclude with Frequently Asked Questions and places to find additional resources. Let's begin by taking a look at the impact of slips, trips, and falls. We will do this by going through some industry statistics and discussing the costs that arise from claims associated with slips, trips, and falls. This data represents both personal and occupational injuries and demonstrates that slip, trip, and fall injuries are a significant source of claims for businesses. Per our travelers claims data, slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of premises liability claims in terms of costs. There are also a leading cause of emergency room visits per the National Floor Safety Institute. The third leading cause of death and workplace as well. That statistic is from the National Safety Council, who also indicates that for work related injuries, slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause of days away from work. As we just mentioned, industry data indicates that slips, trips, and falls are a significant source of claims. Our travelers claims data, paints a consistent picture. From 2010 to 2016, our data indicates that for general liability claims where, for example, a non employee falls on your premises, slips, trips, and falls cause over half of Travelers claims. We've looked at the frequency of slips, trips, and falls, but what about the cost? The National Safety Council indicates that for workers compensation claims, these are the third costliest cause of claims. This is the latest available data and recently burns have pushed slips, trips, and falls from the number two spot where it had historically placed. Interestingly, our clients are frequently more concerned with strains from material handling or cumulative injuries. And while those costs are not insignificant, we do see that slips, trips, and falls are far more prevalent exposure as we tend to walk more often than we might lift or carry items. We've looked at statistics associated with the frequency and cost implications of slips, trips, and falls. Now let's spend some time talking about the movements associated with slips, trips, and falls and what causes them. Think for a moment about your movements when you walk normally. What do you think the clearance of your foot is when taking a step? It may be surprising to find out that when walking, your foot in motion clears the ground by only a quarter of an inch. Many people assume it's much higher. This minimal clearance means that even seemingly minor surface obstructions or defects may cause a person to trip. To understand this better, let's talk a little bit more about the mechanics of slips, trips, and falls. In order to prevent injuries, it's helpful to understand the physics or mechanics of what's involved with person slips, trips, and falls. But before getting into those, let's first discuss walking. The technical term for walking is the human gait cycle and is commonly broken down into two phases. The stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase includes the heel striking the ground and the weight shifting onto the planted foot. The swing phase includes the toe lifting from the following foot and forward swinging of the leg. This cycle is repeated with each step a person takes. Slips and trips occur when this cycle is interrupted. A slip occurs when the heel strikes the ground but slides out. When this happens, our upper body weight shifts in the opposite direction. Slips are often associated with contaminated floor surfaces, think like ice, wax, sand, grease or even spilled coffee, as shown in the photo above. We might refer to these surfaces are being slippery. But when we say slippery, What do we mean? We have a technical term for it called the coefficient of friction, sometimes referred to as COF, which we use to measure the relative slipperiness of a surface. We can measure this using a device commonly referred to as a slip meter, but more technically as a trib-ometer. A coefficient of friction measuring 0.5 or greater is generally regarded as suitable for safe walking. Knowing the COF can be helpful at times, including investigating a claim or when making design choices for flooring. Tile manufacturers, for example, tend to provide this information on their store samples to help customers make informed decisions. A trip occurs when the toes or foot abruptly strike an object or snag on a surface of very high friction during the swing phase of the gait cycle. In this case, our center of gravity shifts forward with the momentum from walking. We previously mentioned that the foot clears a four by only one quarter of an inch when walking. So causes of tripping often include changes in level, uneven walking surfaces or obstacles in a walking path. Falls are the result of slipping and tripping hazards when we're unable to recover our balance or a fall from elevation. When you fall, the part of the body that absorbs the energy of the fall during impact is most likely the injury site. The results of a fall may include sprains, broken bones, twisted angles, and loss of mobility. In considering your property or facility, identify we're accidents are more likely to occur. We call these hotspots, and we've grouped them into three general types, indoor, outdoor and those involving a change in level. Let's begin with indoor hotspots. Now Courtney will go into a little more detail about indoor walking surfaces and controls to help mitigate risks. Thank you, Alyssa. Some indoor walking areas tend to see a large volume of traffic in a relatively confined space, such as entrances or lobbies, so congestion can be an issue. Flooring materials may change from carpet to tile, for example. The change in friction from one surface to another could cause a problem. Also, cleaners or other floor treatments may alter the floor surface, and increase or decrease its slip resistance or the coefficient of friction. Aisles and passageways may have obstacles or there might be blind intersections where people could collide with each other or with equipment. Storage areas are commonplace for incidents to occur because of haphazard placement of stock or discarded packaging. Since these areas may be used infrequently, they may be overlooked and employees may minimize the importance of proper controls. Any area using water or other liquids should be evaluated. For example, be sure water fountains are calibrated so that the water doesn't overshoot or otherwise splash out of its collection pan. Bathrooms present unique concerns because of the presence of water. Keep in mind that when you take a perfectly safe, dry surface and add a little water, you can have a serious injury from a slip and fall. That doesn't mean that all tile floors are inherently unsafe when wet. Sometimes maintain a coefficient of friction above 0.5 even when wet, which you'll recall is a generally accepted benchmark for a safe walking surface. If you have fully equipped bathrooms that have tubs and showers, these introduce a greater chance of a slip trip and fall. By analogy, kitchens and food service areas present similar concerns because of the presence of spilled food and water, dishwashing and the use of oils. Now that we've taken a look at some common indoor hotspots that can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Let's talk about ways to help reduce the risk in some of these areas. Indoor walking areas should be kept dry, clean, and clear of hazards. This means no water or spills on the floor, no clutter to walk around or step on, no protruding nails or splinters, and no cracks, holes or uneven edges. Similarly, carpet seems like a good walking surface and it usually is, but not if it's loose, warped, worn or torn. Carpet should be securely attached and where there is a transition to another floor surface, it should be a quarter inch or less in thickness to reduce the likelihood of tripping. When you anticipate moisture getting on the floor, you need a plan. Placing bags at entrances for wet items, such as umbrellas is a good way to avoid bringing moisture into a building when rain is expected. As previously mentioned, bathrooms are also a hotspot for wet floors. Consider placing soap and towel dispensers above the counter so that soap and water are less likely to be tracked across the floor surface. Mats and runners at entryways help trap water and debris brought in from the outside, especially during inclement weather. These should be placed along likely pedestrian routes. In other words, traffic flow should dictate map placement. If pedestrian flow is difficult to predict due to the size or layout of the space. Barrier tape can be used to guide traffic towards temporary walkways equipped with mats. Mats should be of sufficient length to absorb water so that shoes are dry as people reach the unprotected floor. In this example shown here, the mat coverage is insufficient and the result is a slip fall hazard. Finally, keep in mind that mats may need to be trimmed to fit some spaces. Ensure all seems and edges remain flat and smooth. Avoid stacking or overlapping mats, as shown in the bottom right photo. As this could create a tripping hazard. In addition to the use of mats and runners, use wet floor signs during inclement weather or in areas where there is a spill or leak. Other means to prevent an injury may include non-slip floor treatments and grab bars in appropriate areas. In an industrial setting, marking permanent aisles and passageways can help deter the storage of items and areas where they might become a trip hazard. Where storage needs are known, such as for stock, dollies, forklifts or equipment. Designate and clearly mark these areas. Floor markings and signs may help along with staff training and subsequent enforcement. Lighting is a very important aspect of slip trip and fall prevention. Site is our primary means to recognize hazards and adjust our path of travel accordingly. It takes time for our eyes to adjust when walking in from outside, wet surfaces are clutter may not be conspicuous without enough light. Poor lighting can also make changes in level, such as stairways or ramps less visible, as well as fail to illuminate slight elevations or depressions where we would assume the surface to be even. Improve the lighting where needed and quickly replace burned out bulbs. Blind intersections are another potentially hazardous area to minimize the risk, use mirrors are warning signs. Remember, convex mirrors aren't just for industrial spaces, they work in offices as well. Finally, employee training and awareness is extremely important. Employees should know how to identify and avoid hazards in the workplace. They should also understand the precautions necessary to help prevent injury from occurring, such as making the area safe when they're able and promptly reporting any hazards they identify. To keep up with potential hazards, we recommend that you perform a general inspection of floors, aisles, and passageways on a monthly basis. If it rains or snows, you obviously need to check hazardous areas multiple times during the day. Some retail spaces or restrooms warrant a housekeeping log. These logs can help assure the inspections are being completed and they can also help in potential climb defense proceedings. Any deficiencies should be repaired immediately. If that isn't possible, block off the affected section of walkway or place warning signs near the area to alert people to the danger. These solutions are all fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of a slip trip fall claim. They're also easy to accomplish and they'll go a long way towards preventing slips, trips, and falls. Regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. Particularly in areas where the public regularly walks or areas where slips are seen as more likely to occur. Sweep logs and inspection records can be a helpful defense should there be an incident. Here's an example. A business opens at nine o'clock and beginning at nine and every hour until closing. The aisles and walkways are inspected by a designated employee who has the responsibility of making sure the site is clear of any hazards, spills, et cetera. The employee also signs off on the inspection record. Let's say a customer alleges a slip and fall at 11:15 in one  of the aisles. The employee has signed off on the log at 11:05, verifying the premises was all clear. This claim maybe resisted if there is no notice to the property owner of this hazard. And as a general rule, there needs to be reasonable notice of a hazard before you're required to correct the situation. Similarly, failure to maintain sweep logs may also work against you. Depending on your jurisdiction, that degree of benefit from having detailed sweep logs or inspection records may vary. Let's discuss housekeeping for a bit and keep in mind your own facility as we work through this. Good housekeeping practices are the best way to ensure clean, clutter-free walkways and to help prevent slips, trips, and falls. As previously mentioned, regular housekeeping surveys reduce the intervals during which an unsafe condition might exist. If the slip hazard is observed. Promptness matters. Using barriers and warning signs is helpful if the spill or wet surface cannot be immediately cleaned and dried. Absorbent mats are helpful as our floor blowers for drawing. If wiring or cabling in walkways cannot be relocated elsewhere than covers are necessary to make the hazard apparent and to reduce the tripping potential. We would prefer to see the cover extended as far across the walkway as possible. In short, anticipate the potential hazards at your site and be prepared by having supplies and equipment you need readily available. Let's talk briefly about mopping. Staff that will be expected to perform mopping duties, should understand the concept of mob to dry, which means you shouldn't leave puddles behind that take a long time to dry. Mopping can control hazards, but it can also contribute to them. For general cleaning. Mop during low traffic hours and if possible, do one side of a walkway at a time rather than mopping from wall to wall. This leaves the other half of the walkway open for traffic. When mopping, use wet floor signs to warn of danger. As it's important to give visible clues to the hazard. When mopping is completed, remember to return any absorbent mats to the rightful places, such as underneath the water fountain. Okay, so we spent some time addressing hazards and controls associated with indoor walking surfaces. Now, Alyssa will take us through outdoor walking surfaces. Thank you, Courtney. Outdoor hotspots include sidewalks, plantings, parking lots, wheel stops, speed bumps, transitions, down spouts, and recreational areas. We'll explore several of these hotspots in more detail. But let's start by taking a look at the photo on your screen to uncover some hazards. As you can see, there are five steps on this pathway. Generally, codes require a handrail be provided where there are three or more steps. You can also see that drainage has washed some of the landscape bedding into the walkway. Slips don't solely result from water, but other surface contaminants as well, such as dust, sand, or mulch. Also notice that there is a transition at the leading edge of the sidewalk that presents a tripping hazard. And finally, you should consider if there is usage at night and whether the light pole can sufficiently illuminate the steps and walking surface. For obvious reasons. Outdoor surfaces are vulnerable to changes in weather. Ice, snow and rain may cause surfaces to becomes slippery. They can also hide other hazards such as minor surface depressions and storm sewer greats. Drainage is important on outside surfaces to prevent ponding and possible ice formation. It's important to be aware of the condition of your outdoor surfaces and remove snow and ice promptly. Pay attention to the areas that have a large volume of traffic and prioritize these areas. It's important to consider a pre-storm plan in your safety planning. This should start before the beginning of the winter season and include things like define responsibilities, including those for snow removal contractors, selection of snow and ice treatment products, and requirements for maintenance logs. In considering your ice melt products, it's worth noting that those containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, have a tendency to leave an oily residue on floors when tracked inside. You might consider using an alternate ice melt product around entrance ways or otherwise be sure that you clean forest diligently and provide walk off mats. Additionally, we can't forget about landscaping. While landscaping can add to the appearance of your facility, it could create hazards. You're planting should provide even transitions because uneven edges between the walking and planting areas can create a fall or trip hazard. The photo shown here has a grate around the tree to provide a level walking surface. But notice that the opening in the grate may create a tripping hazard which should be repaired. There are quite a few concerns as it relates to parking lots. Some parking lots may have potholes, cracks, uneven transitions, perhaps unmarked parking spaces or other walking hazards. In order to control some of these risks, parking lots should be regularly resurfaced. And if resurfacing is not a possibility, holes and cracks should be patched and hazardous areas should be highlighted. A safe walking paths should be outlined and traffic control measures should be implemented such as parking stripes, directional signs for walkways, and other methods. We also encourage the use of a slip resistant safety yellow paint wherever walking hazards exist, including curbs, wheel stops, and similar. Down spouts can create hazardous conditions when they dump water or other materials onto a sidewalk. In cold weather, this may also lead to icy conditions and in the summer may create a slime that results in a slippery surface. Debris that deposits may also be slippery or create tripping hazards and damp conditions may cause algae to grow. Ideally, you would want to have these issues eliminated during the design phase of a project. The top photo shows a solution where the water is safely plumbed underground. On the bottom, a fix was required where the concrete was cut and a drain installed to discharge in a less likely pedestrian area such as the street. The third hotspot we will discuss is change in level. Changes in level present unique considerations. And Courtney will discuss both some indoor and outdoor change in level, hazards and controls. Thank you. Places you will encounter a change in level include stairs, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and loading docks. It's important to consider changes in level as it relates to slips, trips, and falls because falls related to changes in level are often more severe. Likewise, lack of sturdy handrails or guardrails may increase the severity of a slip, trip or fall. Let's talk about handrails. Providing continuous handrails on all stairways and on ramps longer than six feet can help pedestrians climb or descent safely and provide something for them to grasp should they lose their balance. The handrail should extend beyond the steps, generally, 18 inches and as shown on the right, they should be turned into the supporting structure or wall so that a person's clothing or an item such as a jacket or purse doesn't catch on the end. Height is also important. The objective is to have the majority of people be able to grasp a handrail comfortably. Most guidance specifies handrail should be placed 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing. Diameter also impacts the ability to comfortably and securely grip the handrail. A diameter between 1.25 and 2 inches is recommended. This allows for good gripping to prevent or otherwise control a fall. In areas where children are expected to use stairs frequently, such as in day cares or family hotels. An additional lower set of handrails may be appropriate. Stairways and ramps should be made of or coated with a non slip surface to prevent slips and falls. The stair is being coated with the polyurethane non slip treatment. These can work well, but be aware that coatings will wear over time and may need to be reapplied. Stair treads should provide adequate footing. Any non slip surface applied to the stair should be placed to assure that it effectively covers the walking surface. Uniform tread width and heights are also important. This allows people to get into and maintain a rhythmic gait, while ascending or descending. Elevators have two conditions which may cause an incident. The first is the threshold between the door cab and the floor which needs to be flush. Again. Keep in mind the quarter-inch clearance in our gait. It doesn't take much to create a tripping hazard. Secondly, the operation of the elevator car should be smooth. Jerky movements can cause someone to lose their balance and fall. The sensing mechanisms of the elevator are very important in preventing falls and other injuries. There are sensors in the cab door to prevent them from closing on people. And there are some sensors at each floor which detect the presence of the cab so the doors don't open without the cab being present. Elevator performance issues should be serviced by a qualified maintenance company. Escalators have their own unique hazards. The sidewalls of the escalator are dangerous because they don't move. If you have your foot on the stair next to the sidewall, the bottom portion of your shoe will want to continue moving with the stair. However, the side of the shoe may stick to the sidewall and resist movement causing a loss of balance. Stepping onto or off of an escalator poses a danger because of the change in motion, which can cause a person to lose their balance and fall. When stepping off an escalator, a clear area is needed so that those behind can exit freely. Therefore, there should be no barriers or distractions such as advertising signs or displays in the exit ramp area that might cause people to stall on the landing. Accidents can occur. Therefore, emergency shutoff switches should be conspicuously placed at both the top and bottom of the escalator and routinely inspected and tested. The clearance between the steps and the side skirting should be less than three sixteenths of an inch. This helps prevent fingers, clothing, or other objects from being caught. Many escalators have taper brushes to keep objects from being caught as well. Warning signs are required to be posted. Warning of the hazards of escalators, as well as indicating their safe use, such as use of handrails, holding children's hands, and prohibiting strollers. Loading docks are fairly typical of fall-related hazards due to the sudden drop off. Let's take a look at this picture, which isn't uncommon for a loading dock area. There are changes in level at the stairs, the loading dock, and along the retaining wall at the left. The handrails on both sets of steps look pretty good. And they're are guard rails provided? A drainage grate is provided in front of the loading dock, which should effectively collect runoff. Also, a dock lock is provided to secure a truck or trailer in place so that workers can enter safely and there are railings to either side of the opening. However, you may have noticed that there's an unprotected opening at the dock when there's no truck there, a guard rail is needed to help prevent people or equipment from falling off the dock. There are a variety of movable gates and barriers for this purpose. Standards and codes give us guidance for safe walking surfaces. OSHA, ANSI and ASTM, are the lead organizations that develop standards and recommendations regarding a number of slip trip and fall issues, which include the general condition of walking surfaces, visibility, the presence and condition of handrails and guard rails and accessibility. Some of them address the slip resistance of walking surfaces for which there's a specific ANSI standard. The picture on this slide illustrates that in some cases, standards may not go far enough. On one side, the handrails are not continuous and on the other, there's no rail at all. It's not too hard to imagine someone falling on the stairway. Yet. This happens to be code compliant for the jurisdiction where it's located. Now that we've covered common hazards that lead to slips, trips, and falls, as well as controls to help reduce the risk. Alyssa will talk about risk management practices and the next steps for you to consider after watching this webinar. Thank you. When we think of slips, trips, and falls, our first thought probably jumps to physical hazards that might influence a person to lose their balance or fall. It's important for us to see further than that. We must also look at usage realities. Consider things like are there are peak periods when the area is congested, is there use of the area at night or in compromised lighting. How is the area being used? For example, the parking lot picture looks fairly maintained. But when considering usage realities, you have to use your experience to look at the bigger pictures. Parking lots generally have orderly rows, but people often don't reliably walk down rows. They sometimes take shortcuts, sometimes across landscaping islands where you don't expect pedestrian traffic, but the exposure may occur. And finally, we need to take into account who uses the premises. Is it employees who are familiar with the environment, are they visitors or customers, perhaps children or the elderly? These are all factors that should influence the precautions that you take. As you've seen, there's a lot of information relating to slip trips and falls. Hazards can be addressed as they are encountered. But for the best solution, you want an effective safety management system in place. As with other initiatives and programs, the essential element of an effective management system is to gain ownership of the senior management or buy-in. Controlling slips, trips, and falls requires time, money, and initiative. If management is not committed than the process may not work effectively or consistently. The first step in the system is hazard control. Hazard control is the action of identifying physical or behavioral items that may increase the risk of a slip trip fall event. Whether it's spilt water at the beverage station or inclement weather outside, potential hazards need to be identified and mitigated. This is the substance of what we've covered in reviewing hotspots. The event is not static, however, and that's why it's important to create an inspection and maintenance program. Inspection checklists are a valuable tool to help identify when something requires attention. Hazards may result from a temporary issue, such as weather or gradual wear over time that often goes unnoticed unless intentionally and thoughtfully examined. Regular preventative maintenance helps. But when hazards are identified, their ability to respond, among other priorities is important as well. If an incident does occur, you need an incident response plan. As you know, no matter how diligent you are, there may still be an incident involving an employee, visitor, or customer. When this happens, a thorough and immediate incident response can help you address the event as it unfolds, including planning on who responds and the care and messaging provided, preparing how to secure and preserve any and all information related to the incident is a key part of the response. The next element in the system is incident analysis. This element deals with identifying root causes of why an incident occurred and developing measures to help prevent these from reoccurring. Sometimes this requires a near term fix and the later one that might involve capital to finance a permanent solution. The point is that you want to prevent a reoccurrence at the accident site and any other location were similar potential exists. So what's next? How do you apply what you've learned today for your facility? First, you have to gain buy-in or commitment. This includes senior management supervisors, maintenance staff, and others that are seen to have a role. Finally, everyone in the organization needs to understand as we reviewed the cost of slips, trips and falls, and their responsibilities in helping ensuring a safe premises. If you don't already have one, develop and implement a formal slip trip and fall management plan. Develop action plans and review and update them regularly. But don't do this alone. Makes sure that you get others involved along the way and educate folks as to why this is important. Understanding your risks and implementing effective controls can go a long way in preventing and minimizing the impacts of slips, trips, and falls. There are many ways to create an action plan to move forward with the next steps that we've just recommended. You can see on your screen one simple way to create a basic action plan that includes the action items and a way to keep track with your plan. Key action items include get management sponsor, senior management needs to be committed, but other levels of management need buy-in for the process to work. Develop a checklist of hotspots. Those areas where slips, trips, and falls are more likely to occur. Conduct inspections and observations periodically. We have resources to help with this, which will introduce shortly, identify, and prioritize deficiencies, the likelihood of an incident or its potential severity manner. Make the repairs or improvements or budget for them if it requires capital expenses. Revising procedures might be needed, such as how often floors are cleaned, mats are replaced, or inspections conducted. Make recommendations to management. At the points where approvals are acquired. Train your employees. They are as important a resource for identifying hazards as is your inspection program. They should understand their responsibilities in making an area safe or reporting it to the proper person. And finally, develop a formal incident investigation system to identify the cause and corrective measures to prevent recurrences. Now that you understand the actions usually take to reduce the likelihood of a slip trip and fall. Let's talk about what you need to think about in the unfortunate event that you do have an incident, it's important to remember that claim should be reported promptly through the travelers preferred method. Early reporting can lead to better results and Courtney will talk through what to expect as it relates to the Travelers Claim experience. Thanks, Alyssa. Here are some things you can do to assist the claim department in the investigation of claims reported. You'll want to preserve important documentation that can facilitate the investigation process such as incident and security reports, sweep logs and inspection records, photos, and video surveillance if available. Lease contracts, if you're a property owner or tenant. And vendor contracts, for example, contracts with your cleaning company or floor mat supplier. These may all be necessary in assessing what your legal responsibility, maybe, if any, for the loss. We now understand the importance of slip trip and fall prevention using sound risk management practices. We'll wrap up with some frequently asked questions and will let you know where you can find additional Travelers resources on this topic. Okay. Our first question is, If we require non-slip footwear, how often will the shoes need to be replaced? The answer to that is that it will depend on where. But generally speaking, six months is a good length of time to expect a work shoe to last. The second question is, how often should we change out floor mats? That's also going to depend on how fast they wear. If they don't lay flat, or if they slip, or if they don't absorb moisture, it's time to replace them. If a service company changes your mats, don't simply wait until their next scheduled visit to address these issues. The next question is, in the summer our tile floors sweat, we come in to open in the morning and the floors have condensation on them. What can we do about that? Well, if you've turned back your HVAC system at night to save energy, it could be that the humidity has increased to the point the cold floor has dew forming. So you'll need to work with your facility staff or HVAC contractor to adjust the dehumidification settings during the overnight hours. The fourth question you see here is, does it make a difference where we replace wheel stops in our parking areas? To avoid a tripping hazard, it's best to place them so they are centered directly in front of the car, not into the space between vehicles. Alyssa, I'm going to turn it back over to you to cover the remaining frequently asked questions and discuss some slip trip and fall resources. Thank you, Courtney. Another question that we get is how much light is enough? And this will depend on the conditions and the users changing from a bright light outdoors and then entering a building would suggests the need for bright transition, for example. Another question we receive is, does the size of hand rails matter? We've built some using two-by-fours, would that be okay? For this situation that would probably too large for most people to get their hand around. Codes generally specify one and a quarter to two inch diameters. And if it's not round, a circumference between four and six and one fourth inches, which is a good bit less than a two-by-four. One final question that we often get is how should we respond when someone informs us a week or even a month after the date they say they fell. And late reporting can present more challenges by not being able to quickly gather the facts. But we would still want to begin an immediate investigation into the what, where, when, and how of the incident. Travelers has some resources to help you with your slip trip and fall management program from hazard control through incident investigation. And you can find these resources on our Travelers Risk Control Portal at www.travelers.com slash Risk Control. We've now reached the end of our webinar and we hope that you found it informative and thank you for your time. If you do have additional questions, please reach out to your Risk Control Consultant. This will conclude our webinar. Thank you.