Musculoskeletal system
Fall at work
It is crucial for everyone in the workplace to be aware of the potential risks of falls in the work environment. These risks include falls on a level surface such as slipping on wet floors, tripping over cables or tools as well as falls from heights, such as from scaffolding, stairs, or tables. Whether occurring on a flat surface or from a height, falls can lead to serious injuries.
Accident rates
About 25 percent of all reported work realated accidents in Iceland are caused by falls on level surfaces, making this one of the most common types of workplace accidents reported to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health. . Further, 10 percent of reported work accidents result from falls from a height,such as those occurring on stairs, scaffolding, or while descending from machinery . All work accidents that result in the injured being unable to work for one or more days beyond the day of the accident shall be reported to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health.
The consequences of falling at work
The most common injuries from falls at work are to the legs, including thighs, knees, ankles and calves, but there are also common injuries to the shoulder, shoulder joints, spine and vertebrae. To reduce the likelihood of workplace falls, it is essential to assess risks and implement proper safety measures.
Accidents at work often cause long absences of staff.
Risk assessment in the work environment
Employers are responsible for establishing and maintain a written health and safety plan for the workplace, regardless of its size.
A risk assessment must be conducted for all business activities. This applies to both local and mobile operations , as well as contractors or temporary staff. It should also be performed regardless of the number of employees, which can be from one or more. The purpose of the assessment is to identify risk factors in the work environment and assess their potential impact on the safety and well-being of employees and take necessary actions to lower the risk to an acceptable level, this includes reviewing working procedures, machines, use of personal protective equipment ect.
Here you can see possible circumstances that can cause falls at work:
The video shows examples of hazards in the work environment can cause falling at same level.
Falling from a height
Falling from a height is one of the most common accidents at work in Iceland, accounting for 10 percent of reported accidents. Falling accidents are serious and can cause permanent damage and in the most serious cases, may result in loss of life . Such falls occur most often in construction, factories, maintenance and warehouses but can occur in any industry. It does not necessary take a high fall to cause serious consequences, a fall of 1 m can be fatal
Ensuring workplace safety to prevent falls from height requires the interaction of several factors. All workplaces must have a workplace health and safety plan that assesses and addresses risks with appropriate measures, such as safety rules and safety equipment. It is also important that employees use appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety protocols . The culture of the workplace can have a big impact there. It is important that managers lead by example and set clear standards for safety in the workplace, which increases the likelihood that employees will follow those standards. It's important to promote an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting when something is wrong
Everyone in the workplace is responsible for their behavior and thus participating in making the workplace a safe place. With targeted actions with the participation of all the employees, the risk of falls from height can be significantly reduced and even completely prevented.
When work is conducted at height, it is necessary to decide which fall protection to use already during the planning, organization or preparation of the work. There is no single fall protection that is best, but the circumstances and the duration of the work takes are things to consider. It is very important that employees that need to work at heights receive good and informative instruction and training.
Accidents in ladders
Every year there are many accidents, some serious, where employees fall while working on improperly secured ladders. These accidents can be prevented with proper work practices. Which are for example:
The size and type of ladder must be suitable for the work.
Ensure that the ladder is placed on a stable surface, and take special care in conditions involving snow or wet surfaces.
The ladder must be secured to prevent slipping, for example by securing the base of the ladder or by other safety means.
Before installing a ladder, it must be inspected. Curved rungs or frame can prevent the ladder from supporting the weight it is designed for (typically 150kg). Ties and braces on steps also need to be checked.
If there is any sign of damage or wear on the ladder it should be replaced immediately. Also ensure that ladders that have been taken out of service are properly disposed of
Key risk factors for working in height:
Typical workplaces with fall hazards:
Construction site:
The main risk areas are roofing, scaffolding and ladder use.
Warehouses and factories:
Work in intermediate floors , parallel planes or when using a forklift to lift personnel.
Falling from stairs and from ladders.
Maintenance work:
Regular maintenance of roofs, windows and ventilation systems.
Window washing, gutter cleaning and installation of billboards and other equipment.
Prevention of height work
To minimize the risk of falls from a height, both employers and employees must familiarize themselves with the regulations that apply to work at height and ensure that they are properly followed. (Rules and regulations only available in Icelandic).
Emergency preparedness
Even when all precautions have been taken, it is important to be prepared because there can be deviations and even accidents. Therefore it is important that all workplaces where the risk of falls from a height have been identified establish an emergency plan outlining what measures to take in case of a person falls from a height.
Have a rescue plan ready in case a person falls and is suspended in a fall arrest harness.
Ensure that first aid kits are available with trained staff to provide immediate assistance. . It is advisable to regularly review these procedures with the employees to maintain their preparedness.
Prevention
If the workplace risk assessment indicates a risk to the health and safety of employees, the employer must immediately implement necessary precautions and take measures to prevent the risk, from cause harm. This is part of health and safety program for the workplace.
Prevention can include the following:
organization of work
education
training
design
selection of tools and equipment
use of safety and protective equipment
It is best to "design out the danger", for example by:
makeing work at height unnecessary or less dangerous, for example by making as much work as possible fro the ground.
Replacing a more dangerous method with one that is less risky.
The following are examples of prevention:
More information on working at height can be found in the (only in Icelandic).
Tips against falls in the workplace
Employers must take preventive measures to prevent accidents and establish clear criteria for workplace response in the event of situations that can lead to a fall hazard. In this context, it is important to consider the following:
It is important to clear snow from parking lots and walkways on the premises of workplaces and de-ice these areas with salt, sand or other approved de-icing substances. Having a plan for how snow removal should be carried out when it starts to snow can help prevent surprises, this should include defining the role of the staff whose role is intended in that process.
Personnel working outdoors must be provided with appropriate footwear based on the conditions at any given time and care must be taken to ensure that they wear it.
Lighting must be good and walking paths markings on the site must be clear and visible as well. Attention should be given to keeping these markings clear in winter when snow and mud are likely to obscure them.
Spills and wet areas indoors must be cleaned up immediately and dangerous areas must be marked, also when the hazard is only temporal warning signs to reduce the risk of a fall accident.
Ensure that mats lie flat on the floor surface to prevent tripping hazards.
Employers must monitor the situation and react quickly if an accident occurs or if employees report a possible danger in the work environment, and update risk assessment accordingly.
These precautions increase the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace, reducing the likelihood of fall accidents. It is in everyone's interest that everyone return home safely.
Service provider
Administration of Occupational Safety and Health