Walking with your hands full, responding to a text while crossing the parking lot or working with a mess on the floor—each of these seemingly small distractions are actually serious workplace hazards. In June, safety trainings will cover slip, trip and fall prevention at Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab).
“Slips, trips and falls are a primary cause of work-related injuries,” said Larry Jaudon, director of Sanford Lab’s Environment, Safety and Health Department. “At Sanford Underground Research Facility, we take a proactive approach to providing a safe and healthy work environment for our team.”
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has identified that slips, trips and falls are responsible for 15% of all accidental deaths; second only to motor vehicle related incidents. In addition to the unnecessary pain and suffering which results from a fall; the National Safety Council reports that slips, trips and falls cost society over 13 billion dollars a year and are the second leading cause of disabling workplace injuries. In general industry, the average cost of a slip, trip or fall, is approximately $40,000.00 per incident.
“We have recently updated our fall protection and fall prevention requirements and will retrain all SDSTA personnel in the requirements of these standards starting in June,” said Jaudon. “Additionally, we have provided for annual refresher training in this subject for all our employees.”
SURF continues to be at the forefront of hazard awareness, ensuring that our personnel are adequately trained and provided with the best possible equipment to protect them from risks associated with slips, trips and falls.
The Environment, Safety and Health Department at Sanford Underground Research Facility promotes health and safety in the workplace, as well as healthy living and wellness for all employees. If you have questions about health and wellness, please contact our occupational health nurse, Laura Baatz, who is onsite daily at lbaatz@sanfordlab.org.