A Retrospective Study of Occupational Slips, Trips and Falls across Industries

Abstract

This paper investigates the significance of occupational injuries related to slips and falls on the same level and from elevation based on claims data collected over a six-year period by a major U.S. workers' compensation insurer. The relative percent of claims and claim costs associated with slips and falls varies by industry sector. Construction industry proportions of claims and claim costs associated with falls from elevation ranked first compared with all other industries examined. The claim and claim costs proportions associated with falls on the same level were highest in the retail industry. Despite the significance of the problem, there has been no significant change in the proportion of fall related claims (either on the same level or from elevation) compared to all reported claims by industry type from 1993 to 1998. Results suggest the need for increased research activity to explore the causes and identify interventions which can reduce the sizable losses in industry.