Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
An analysis of workers' compensation claims over an eight-year period at six nursing homes revealed this pattern of slips, trips and falls:
Liquid contamination (water, wet floor, body fluid, grease, wax, gel) 36%
Objects (wheelchairs, boxes, open desk drawers, bedspreads, wastebaskets) 12%
Ice or snow 11%
Cords (electric, phone, and call cords, medical tubing, wires) 6%
Bodily reaction 5%
Outdoor surface irregularities (holes, curbs, drain dips) 4%
Indoor surface irregularities (mats, carpeting, rugs) 4%
Elevations (fall from ladder, step stool, stair, through hole, out of non-moving vehicle) 1%
(No cause was noted for 23% of the claims. Percentages were rounded.)
Source: Bell JL, Collins JW, Tiesman HM, et al. Slip, trip, and fall injuries to nursing care facility workers. Workplace Health & Safety 2013; 61:147-152.
