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One of the most common and important control measures for slips and trips is footwear.

What are the main causes of slips, trips, and falls at Lawrence University? (When it’s not related to Winter – ice and snow)

• Uneven surfaces, sidewalks
• Wet/slippery floors (tracking inside after rain storms)
• Changes in walking surface; stairs, steps, curbs and ramps

The Right Safety Footwear Makes a Big Difference

Is slip resistant the same as non-slip?

There are two main differences between slip resistance and nonslip. First, nonslip shoes have a very flat surface, while slip-resistant shoes have a large surface area with indents in them. The indents in the shoe help to grip the surfaces that you are walking.

How to Select the Right Footwear to Reduce Tripping

When choosing safety footwear, here are the most important things to consider to avoid tripping.

• Ensure Proper Fit. The larger the shoe is compared to our foot, the higher our chances of misjudging the clearance over obstacles and, therefore, the higher our chances of tripping.
• Boots Over Shoes. In an environment where tripping is a concern, a boot is a better choice than a low-cut shoe. Many accidents and injuries happen when we try to readjust our position after tripping, and a boot (provided the laces are tied) will provide additional stability to the ankle, which will minimize the risk of ankle injury when you put pressure on your foot or leg to maintain your position.
• Look for Certified Slip-Resistance. Make sure the shoe or boot you’re buying is branded as slip-resistant. Specifically, look for brands that are certified ASTM F2913, now up to its 2019 revision. This will ensure that the slip-resistant claim is backed by rigorous testing.
• Match the Footwear to the Walking Surface. The non-slip properties of safety shoes are expressed in relation to a specific walking surface. Make sure the footwear’s anti-slip properties will actually provide additional traction on the types of surfaces in your workplace.

Tests are most commonly done on three conditions: Dry /Wet / Hi Soil Oily/Wet

Ratings are then given based on a coefficient of friction, varying from 0 to 1.

If you’re considering a safety boot for outdoor work, for example, and it has a coefficient of friction of 1 for Dry conditions but only 0.2 for Hi Soil Oily/Wet, you should look for another boot. The boot may work perfectly well on dry surfaces, but outdoor work means a chance of encountering wet or muddy surfaces.

• Check the Tread. While no specific tread pattern is better than any other, one that has fairly deep treads will do a better job of channeling out water, oil, or mud, which will generally give it better traction. However, for some wet or oily surfaces multiple narrow channels provides superior traction.

As the tread wears out, the performance declines. So, it is possible for shallower treads to wear out more quickly compared to deep, lug outsoles.

Resources:

https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/  https://www.safeopedia.com/selecting-the-right-work-shoes-to-prevent-slips-trips-and-falls/2/7549

Road work zones are necessary for the upkeep and improvement of Wisconsin’s infrastructure, and every year thousands of hard-working men and women participate in street, highway and bridge projects statewide. While all roadwork is temporary, the decisions – and mistakes – that drivers make in work zones can have a lasting impact.

There are unfortunately thousands of crashes in our work zones every construction season. Drivers and passengers – not workers – make up the vast majority of those either hurt or killed. It’s in every driver’s best interest to stay focused and patient – especially in work zones. Keep in mind that even at a reduced speed limit of 55 mph, a vehicle travels 80 feet per second and can clear a football field in the time it takes to glance at a phone or a radio dial. Combine the speed factor with narrow, shifting lanes and the chances of a crash can dramatically increase.

Any time people are working in a street or highway near traffic, drivers and workers are at risk:

• Major road construction
• Emergency vehicles at the side of the road
• A snowplow flashing its warning lights
• Everyday garbage pickup

In Wisconsin, they’re all work zones. Being able to identify the work zones up ahead can save lives. So, it’s best to learn the signs of a work zone.

Any combination of orange barrels, orange signs, flags, flagging operations, workers, or flashing lights may be involved. You might also see utility, maintenance or emergency vehicles. Surefire details include “work ahead” signs and, of course, workers.

Orange signs are used to communicate to drivers that they are entering, leaving or already in a work zone. Below are common examples of what you’ll see, so when you see any orange signs or barrels take extra caution. Workers are likely nearby. 

In Wisconsin, we take work zone safety seriously. The penalties for careless driving are steep. ​

• It can cost you money. A normal speeding ticket can be expensive, but that’s nothing compared to traffic violations made in the zone. In a work zone, penalties are doubled – and fines usually increase every year.
• It can cost you time. The consequences for injuring or killing someone in a work zone are especially serious. Careless drivers may face thousands of dollars in fines and up to 3^1/2 years in prison if they injure someone in a work zone. The fines for vehicular man​slaughter are even higher, as are the prison terms – as many as 10 years. These punishments may increase if the driver was intoxicated or a repeat offender.
• It can cost your life. The greatest cost of irresponsible driving isn’t calculated in dollars or years. Wisconsin sees nearly 2,000 work zone crashes a year. Sometimes, people die. And those tragedies change the lives of everyone left behind – workers, drivers and passengers, family and friends.

If you break down in a work zone

Whether it’s a blown tire or running out of gas, breakdowns​ are never a good thing. They can be especially challenging in road construction zones. It’s crucially important for motorists to be aware of their surroundings to stay safe. Wisconsin is one of many states that operates highway safety patrols for basic roadside service in some major work zones. This is done in the interest of keeping everyone safe ​by relocating disabled vehicles, brushing away debris and helping to manage traffic.

If you do break down in a work zone, it’s important to keep cool and follow these guidelines:

• Turn on your hazard lights. It’s important to warn other motorists of your presence.
• If you are OK and your vehicle is drivable, the Wisconsin Steer It, Clear It law requires you to move your vehicle to a safe location, away from traffic. Look for ramps or temporary pull-off zones.
• Dial 911 for assistance, especially if your vehicle is inoperable and blocking a lane of traffic, or if someone is hurt. However, keep in mind that Wisconsin’s highway safety patrols are often just moments away, so if help shows up before you can reach the phone, please refrain from dialing 911.
• Stay in your vehicle with your seat belt fastened. Your vehicle is typically the safest place to await roadside assistance. If you get out of your vehicle, you risk exposing yourself to potential work zone hazards such as unprotected drops, rough walking areas or construction equipment.  
• Keep contact information for your insurance company or roadside assistance provider with you. ​
• Know where you are, especially if you do need to call for help. Being aware of mile markers or guide signs will make it much easier for someone to find you.
• Be prepared. It’s a good idea to keep a few items in your car to help in the event of a breakdown, including a visibility vest, a charged mobile phone, a first-aid kit, a warm blanket, extra clothing, water and snacks.

Drivers involved in a crash should do the following:

1. Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Provide accurate information about the location of the incident, severity of injuries, and number of lanes blocked.
2. Stay safe and calm. Watch for traffic, stay inside the vehicle with a seat belt on while waiting for help.
3. If you can steer it, clear it. Move out of traffic if the vehicle is not disabled.
4. Turn hazard lights on or raise the hood of the vehicle to warn other drivers of the incident and avoid secondary crashes.

“Steer It, Clear It” became law in Wisconsin in 1998 and grants immunity from civil damages to anyone who clears the crash scene at the direction of law enforcement.

Drivers should also be aware of what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches on the roads. State law requires drivers to yield the right of way and pull over when an authorized emergency vehicle has its lights or sirens activated. Stay parallel to the right curb or right edge of the shoulder, clear of any intersection, until the emergency crews pass through the area.

Drivers are advised to “know before you go” by checking 511wi.gov before any road trip. ​

Learn more about safe driving in work zones.

• Did you know that tailgating is the most often cited factor in a work zone crash? Download WisDOT’s “Drive Like You Work Here” fact sheet.
• Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility
• Highway safety patrols
• Test your knowledge — take the work zone safety quiz!​

Sources:

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/workzone/default.aspx https://transportal.cee.wisc.edu/partners/community-maps/crash/search/BasicSearch.do

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) warns consumers to be aware of electrical dangers associated with severe storms and the resulting floods and power outages.

Deaths and injuries during the summer months are frequently caused by post-storm electrical hazards. The high winds, extreme rains, and flooding caused by hurricanes and tornadoes present many unique dangers. ESFI offers consumers important advice about how to help prevent electrically related deaths, injuries, and property loss by taking a few precautions during and after severe storms and other natural disasters.

While we can’t prevent natural disasters, we can ensure our businesses are electrically safe before and after the storm. Practicing electrical safety and being prepared can lead to a smooth recovery and an opportunity to renovate the electrical efficiency of your business.

 In the Event of a Natural Disaster

• Create emergency shutdown and start-up procedures
• Turn off power sources
• Charge all electronic communication devices
• Unplug and elevate electronics

After the Storm

• Avoid flooded areas
• Always use a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) and transfer switch with portable generators
• Have a qualified electrician inspect any submerged or water-damaged electrical equipment

Prepare for Future Storms

• Micro-grids can prevent long term power outages by providing localized generation and storage
• Smart grids provide smart distribution along with self-healing and autonomous restoration of power
• Having energy sources and major equipment on higher floors may prevent water damage during future storms

Water damaged equipment that must be replaced 

• Arc-Fault and Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters
• Batteries
• Lightning, ballasts, and LED Drivers
• Low and Medium Voltage Fuses
• Molded-Case Circuit Breakers
• Outlet and Junction Boxes
• Receptacles
• Signaling, Protection, and Communications Systems
• Surge Protective Devices
• Switches and Dimmers
• Transformers
• Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Wire or Cable (for dry areas)

Water damaged equipment that may be reconditioned

• High Voltage AC Circuit Breakers
• Low and Medium Voltage Switchgear
• Low-Voltage Power Circuit Breakers
• Motors
• Panelboards
• Switchboards
• Wire or Cable (for wet areas that have not been damaged/ends not exposed)

ESFI has teamed with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association to provide a detailed explanation of what electrical components can be reconditioned and which need to be replaced.

Visit ESFI’s full suite of Disaster Safety resources.

Source: https://www.esfi.org/disaster-safety/

Rain, sleet, snow, and fog complicate highway transportation, making driving conditions hazardous and often causing worse-than-normal congestion.

Drivers should use extreme caution and slow their speed when the road is wet or icy. Avoid any sudden changes in direction when conditions are poor. If you see a slippery when wet road sign during poor driving conditions, start slowing down.

Rain and Flooding

Rain causes wet pavement, which reduces vehicle traction and maneuverability. Heavy rain also reduces visibility distance. Rain and wet pavement increase crash risk as well.

Most weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement and during rainfall.

• Each year, 75 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement and 47 percent happen during rainfall.
• Nearly 5,700 people are killed and more than 544,700 people are injured in crashes on wet pavement annually.
• Every year, over 3,400 people are killed and over 357,300 people are injured in crashes during rainfall.

A critical factor affecting an operator’s capability is perception-reaction time:
Perception is the individual’s recognition of a hazard, or the need to react. Reaction is the individual’s ability to respond to avoid the hazard.
Perception-reaction time can determine whether a crash will occur, or not. The shorter the perception-reaction time, the sooner the operator provides input to the vehicle and starts maneuvering to avoid the hazard.
The vehicle continues moving at the same speed toward the hazard during the time it takes the driver to perceive and react. Perception-reaction time becomes critical as speed increases. At slower speeds, the vehicle does not travel much distance during the time it takes the driver to react.

At higher speeds, the vehicle will travel more distance during the same time interval placing it closer to the hazard before the driver starts providing the necessary inputs. Therefore, even fractions of a second are important.

Vehicles moving at higher speeds have more momentum than vehicles at lower speeds. More braking force must be applied to vehicles traveling at high speeds:
• At 20 mph, the average vehicle will travel an additional 18 feet after the brakes are applied for a total stopping distance of 62 feet
• At 50 mph, the vehicle will travel an additional 111 feet for a total stopping distance of 221 feet
• At 80 mph, the vehicle will travel an additional 284 feet for a total stopping distance of 460 feet

When your tires are in contact with the road, they create friction which directly affects the handling and stopping capabilities of your vehicle. The amount of friction created can vary between different types of roads, weather conditions and the amount of tread remaining on your tires.

Most passenger car tires begin with 9 or 10/32nds of usable tread; light truck tires and winter tires may have more. The amount of tread is especially important on wet roads, as the tread grooves help your tires displace water to stay in contact with the road. You can see how tread wear impacts stopping distance illustrated below.

Hazards that can be avoided at low speeds may be unavoidable at higher speeds.

Human reaction time does not change for higher speeds. Higher speed increases crash severity. When the driver’s capability is overwhelmed by higher speeds, the chances of a collision are increased. The higher speed also increases the chances of death or serious injury.

The extent of crash damage depends upon the amount of energy present. The faster a vehicle is moving, the more kinetic energy it takes into a crash. The amount of kinetic energy increases greatly with only slight increases in speed. As the amount of energy increases, the chances of a fatality increase. A collision at 60 mph is 50 percent more likely to result in a fatality than one at 45 mph. A collision at 70 mph is four times more likely to result in a fatality than a crash at 45 mph.

Sources: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/core_participant_manual-smd-2018.pdf.;  https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/novemberdecember-2004/another-rain-delay ; https://www.discounttire.com/learn/stopping-distance