Avoid Fatal Flaws to Prevent Fatal Falls

Week 2 (June 11-17) of National Safety Month is taking a deep dive into all things related to slips, trips, and falls. This week covers many different topics like: safety ladders, scaffolding, preventing falls through skylights and other openings, reducing slips, lower and same level falls, and older adults falls. All of these topics are applicable both in the workplace and off-the-job to keep you and those around you safe. 

Falls to a lower level is the third leading fatal workplace event where in 2021, 680 workers died and about 50,000 were injured in 2020. These injuries tend to also be serious enough that they cause a median of 12 to 20 days away from work. Now while most people think falls on the same level may not be as bad, they still caused 126 worker deaths and 127,680 injuries in 2020. And whether at home or at the workplace, more than one in four older adults report a fall each year as they are more likely to fall due to their aging bodies. In 2020, 36,508 older adults over the age of 65 died from a preventable fall and over 2.8 million were treated in emergency rooms in 2020.

One of the best ways to protect yourself from any preventable falls at any age is to have your vision checked. Having proper sight and distance and depth perception is key for avoiding obstacles and edges that could put us off balance. Especially as you and your loved ones get older, encourage more frequent vision appointments, and make sure your glasses prescription is most up to date.

National Safety Month’s promotion of Emergency Preparedness is aimed at bringing awareness to the 224,935 preventable deaths, 62 million injuries, and $1,225.4 billion in costs that occurred in 2021 in an effort to grow safety practices at work and at home. As an employer, you have a responsibility to give your employees the tools to work safely and help those around them in times of emergency.

To learn more about how to reduce preventable falls at your workplace or at home, reach out to an agent at Diversified, or visit: https://www.nsc.org/workplace/national-safety-month/nsm-public-materials/week-2-public-materials

DII is your partner in workplace safety. Our team of experts can work with you to understand the best plans and lessons to create to prepare your employees for preventing falls. Please contact your DII representative for more information. #Falls #Slips #Trips #NSC #NSM