Source
Contemporary Ergonomics 2008: Proceedings of the International Conference on Contemporary Ergonomics (CE2008), 1-3 April 2008, Nottingham, UK. Bust BD, ed., London: Taylor & Francis, 2008 Apr; :693-698
Abstract
Hospitals are diverse work environments with slip, trip, and fall (STF) incidence rates that are 67% higher than other U.S. private industry. Objective: To conduct lab and field research to identify risk factors for STF incidents and evaluate a 'best practices' STF prevention program in three hospitals. Methods and Results: 1) A descriptive analysis of six-years of workers' compensation data identified 316 STF claims, 2) A case follow-back field study identified contaminants and surface transitions as transient risk factors, 3) lab evaluations of flooring and footwear identified promising slip resistant shoes and flooring, 4) assessments identified STF hazards, and 5) a field study found a 58% reduction in STF incidents after a 'best practices' program was implemented. Conclusions: Food service workers, housekeepers, nurses, EMS/Transport, and office staff are at highest risk of STF injury. This study applied multiple research methods to design a STF prevention program and demonstrate it's effectiveness in three hospitals.