Reducing slips/falls on stairs

  • Reducing slips/falls on stairs

    Reducing slips/falls on stairs

    National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC) staff members are encouraged to apply caution when using stairs around the institution.

     

    Staff members are encouraged to practice the following: 

    • Pay attention: Going down stairs is done so frequently that many accidents are caused by not paying attention to the stairway environment. Research suggests that people tend to look only at the first three steps of a stairway, rather than at each step.

     

    • Take your time:Do not hurry or run down stairs, especially on steep, curved or cramped stairways. If you are in a rush, take a breath before descending stairs never take more than one stair at a time.

     

    • Keep your eyes on the stairs: particularly at the base of the stairway. Many falls occur when people assume they have reached the bottom of the stairs, and take a step out into air.

     

    • Use handrails and stair rails:Stair rails are the railings built around landings, while handrails are designed to be used when walking down stairs.

     

    • Wear footwear when walking down stairs:Shoes with good treads will help support your feet as you walk down stairs. Wearing high heels, slippers with soft soles or socks are more likely to allow for slips down stairs.

     

    • Avoid clothing that drags on the floor:It is easy to step on long, flowing skirts or pants when walking up and down stairs. This will usually result in a fall.

     

    Adapted from an article by: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

     

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