WATCH YOUR STEP
SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS IN AGRICULTURE
Learning Objectives
• Look at the injury statistics
• Know the contributing factors, types of falls, and
types of injuries
• Make yourself aware of prevention strategies
• Recognize slip, trip, fall hazards on the farm
/workplace
Fall Statistics
• One of the most frequent types of injury incidents
– 2nd to motor vehicle collisions
• Over one million people suffer from a fall each
year in the workplace
• Annually
– 300,000 disabling injuries
– 1,400 Deaths
Types of Injuries
• 20% of falls result in multiple body part injuries
and the rest include isolated body part injuries
• Common Injuries
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Sprains
Fractures
Bruises
Concussions
Soreness and Pain
How Falls Happen
• Same level falls
– Slips: Losing traction between
footwear and walking surface
– Trips: Foot collides with object
causing a lose of balance
• Falls from an elevated
surface
Contributing Factors
• Poor housekeeping and lots of
clutter
• Poor lighting in walkways and
work areas
• Carrying oversized object that
obstruct vision
• Wearing the wrong footwear
• Walking too fast or running
• Distractions
• Not paying attention
Same Level Falls
• More Frequent
• Usually Less Severe
• Weather, liquids and chemical
spills can all contribute to slips
on walking surfaces
• Trips can also occur when you
don’t see an object or surfaces
are uneven
Same Level Fall Hazards on the Farm
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Manure in feed lots, pens, or isles
Muddy conditions or loose gravel
Loose hay
Spilled grain
Fresh oil spills or grease
Working in low level light
conditions
• Uneven surfaces or rough terrain
• Severe weather: ice, snow, rain
Elevated Falls
• Elevated
– Occur less often
– More severe than same level falls
• 60% occur at 10 ft or less
above walking / working
surface
• Falls from vehicles, loading
docks, equipment, ladders,
buildings, and other elevated
structures
Elevated surfaces on the Farm
• Haymow or lofts
• Below ground pits or open
trenches
• Loading docks
• Bank barns
• Equipment platforms / surfaces
• Grain bins or silos
• Steps / ladders
Methods to Prevent Falls
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Keep floors dry and clean
Remove clutter
Clean livestock pens regularly
Remove dirt, mud and debris from surfaces
Mark permanent isles or travel paths
Inspect the farm regularly for fall hazards
Train employees
Schedule maintenance
Working in Changing Weather Conditions
• Use proper footwear
• Take short steps or shuffle, and try
to ensure your torso stays balanced
over your feet
• Keep your hands out of your
pockets
• Utilize handrails, grab bars, fence
line or solid object for stability
• Create a secondary travel path
• Use caution around livestock
watering areas
Methods for Elevated Surfaces
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Proper Housekeeping
Well designed traffic patterns
Be aware of changes in surface elevation
Provide adequate lighting in work areas
Utilize railings for surface changes over 4 feet in
height
• Cover floor openings when not in use
• Always be cautious and alert to surroundings
Portable Ladders
• Use only approved American National Standard
Institute step and extension ladders
• Should be set at a 4:1 ratio between height and
distance from the wall
• Make sure surfaces are level and solid
• Ensure no damage to the ladder before mounting
• Extension ladders should extend 3 rungs above
elevated surface
• Never stand on top step of a step ladder
Farm Vehicles & Equipment
• Don’t allow extra riders
• Observe safety rules in owners
manual
• Make sure equipment is shut
off and in park before
dismounting
• Keep surfaces clean and dry
• Check for uneven ground when
dismounting from last step
Farm Vehicles & Equipment
• Face the equipment when
mounting or dismounting
• Use three points of contact
when mounting or dismounting
• Never jump off of steps
• Ensure steps, hand holds, and
railing are in good condition
• Avoid trying to carry objects
when mounting or dismounting
Protection Devices
• At high elevations protective
devices should be used
• Proper devices include
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Cages / Rest Platform
Lifeline Lanyard
Safety Harness
Safety belt & limit line
• Device should ensure maximum
protection without restricting
work
Recognize the hazard
Recognize the hazard
Hay Barn:
Snow and ice
Loose hay
Extension cord across
travel path
Changing light conditions
Recognize the hazard
Recognize the hazard
Feed lot:
Snow, ice, and frozen
manure
Variety of elevation
changes
Contrast in light and
shadows
Recognize the hazard
Recognize the hazard
Hay Loft:
Multiple obstructions
getting on and off ladder.
Loose hay of floor
Loose or uneven floor
boards
Changes in light causing
shadows
Recognize the hazard
Recognize the hazard
Unloading Grain:
Loose grain on ground.
Changes in elevation
with the ramp.
Tools laying against the
auger.
Potential to fall into
auger
Summary
• Slips and Falls are sources of the most common
injuries on a farm.
• Take necessary steps to reduce hazards.
• Know your farm and the hazards that exist.
• It’s important to properly train workers.
References
• Coping with Slips, Trips, and Falls in Farming
Enterprises
– http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1269/ANR-1269.pdf
• Ladders, Lifting and Falls
– http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/2326.pdf
• Preventing Work Place Falls
– http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/3307/3307-1593/3307-1593_pdf.pdf
For More Information
OSU Ag Safety & Health
The Ohio State University
Ag Engineering Building
590 Woody Hayes Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1057
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 614-292-6008
Website: agsafety.osu.edu
This project was supported by the
USDA’s National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA) Rural Health
and Safety Education Grant Programgrant number 2012-46100-20144.