Don't fall for it - avoiding slips and falls

Don't Fall for It

Dave M., a middle manager at a utility company, was preoccupied with his work when he took a spill onto his back in his office. He had slipped on the protective plastic mat near his desk. Six months of lost work time, doctors' appointments and sleepless nights later, he still can't sit upright for more than one hour at a time without pain.

It may come as no surprise that many people are falling down on the job and in their lives. Literally.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the approximately 400,000 yearly slips and falls as the third leading cause of disabling occupational injury. And beyond the workplace? The National Safety Council says falls are the second overall national cause of accidental death (motor vehicle fatalities are first).

It seems that everyone falls: children at play, adults at work and home, senior citizens frequently. With the understanding that falls among older people often precipitate a flood of medical problems, West Coast health maintenance organization Kaiser-Permanente recently received a medicare grant to research ways of preventing falls among the elderly.

Slips and falls usually occur at floor or ground level, rather than from a height, according to safety statistics. Common resulting injuries are sprains, fractures (of ribs, joints and bones), dis-locations, bruises, cuts and concussions. Sometimes people injure themselves in twisting to catch themselves from falling.

If there were ever a skill everybody needed throughout their lives, it is learning how to prevent and reduce injuries from falling.

What can you do to reduce the risk? First, avoid situations that may lead to falling, and second, protect yourself in any unavoidable fall.

Be aware of high risk areas: anywhere the walking surface changes (carpeted area ends and wood floor begins, plastic mat under office chair meets carpet), wet grass, gravel parking lots, snowy/icy pavement, stairs, bathtubs, curbs on sidewalks, windy areas, ladders and other elevated sites.

Pay close attention as you move through these fall-hazard zones. During wintry weather, carry with you a pair of crampons that stretch over shoes or boots. Used in mountain climbing, these devices add metal teeth to your footwear and give excellent traction in snow or ice. They are available at many sporting goods and mountaineering stores.

In a slippery area, walk like Groucho Marx; point your toes out, duck-footed (for improved lateral balance), and keep your knees well-bent. Don't push off from your rear foot, or you will be in a state of continually falling forward. Like Groucho, pull your weight from the front foot.

Use your head properly. It is a heavy body part; moving it slightly can influence your balance. Tilting your head back to gaze at the top of a staircase shifts your balance to the rear, making backwards falls more likely. Instead, look up with your eyes, and keep the crown of your head the highest point of your body. (In other words, hold your head up high, but don't put your nose in the air.)

Use common sense. Don't carry heavy or cumbersome objects up and down stairs. Take the elevator. Bulky objects can block vision, raise your center of gravity, and prevent you from using your hands to ward off a fall.

Don't wear high heels if you climb stairs frequently. Avoid leather soles in wet weather.

Keep your walking surfaces clear. Paper, tools, machinery, or children's toys can be fall-inviters.

Some chemicals can counteract slipperiness. Western Slipstop (P.O. Box 288, Anaheim, Calif. 92805, 714-991-5923) manufactures one guaranteed to make wet or dry areas safe for a minimum of five years. In liquid form, this can be applied to building plazas, tiled areas, kitchens or pool decks.

What can you do should you take an unavoidable spill? Protect your most vulnerable areas first, then safely spread the force of the fall.

Better to break your back than your head, wiser to fracture an arm than crack your spine; better still, take the brunt of the fall on soft tissue. (Tenderize the meat, don't pulverize the bones.) Don't, however, maneuver yourself to land on your posterior. It may contain your largest muscle, but falling on it can injure your back.

Shelter your head by tucking it to either shoulder. Think of "biting your collarbone." This position maximally shields the head, prevents whiplash and can help you avoid falling directly on the spine.

Don't hold your breath when you fall. Internal compression can cause injuries. Do the natural thing--scream (something like, "SHOOT!").

Hit it before it hits you. With your inner arms, slap the surface before it contacts you. This helps spread the force away from your vulnerable areas.

Falling safely is a complex skill. Tuck these ideas away in the back of your mind, with an occasional mental review.

Share them with employes. Workplace falls cost billions. In 1983, New York State businesses alone shelled out more than $128 million in direct compensation for employe falls, an average of more than $5,500 per injury.

When you need it most, one idea from this list may prevent your falling to pieces.

COPYRIGHT 1985 U.S. Chamber of Commerce
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group