Safety Meeting Toolbox Topics and Tailgate Talks
Falls represent the number one preventable cause of injury and death in the workplace. More than a million people suffer injuries and more than 16,000 people die as a result of falls in any given year.
Who would think that the worst injuries for nursing facilities are falls. But, why is it falls rather than back injuries? We make a greater effort to prevent back injuries, and we teach ergonomics with many versions of no-lift policies. These injuries are decreasing except for those based on an important variable – the resident.
Fall-prevention equipment prevents the fall from occurring. Examples include handrails on a stairway, guard railing on a platform and covers over floor holes. Fall prevention also consists of removing hazards that contribute to falls, such as objects placed in aisles or uneven floors.