04 May
Posted on 04 May 2022.
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Did you know ? Falls on the same level constitute the 2nd cause of accidents at work with at least 4 days off.
Internal traffic in a company, inside or outside buildings, constitutes a constant risk that is often underestimated, because the factors that contribute to accidents are everyday and seemingly banal. The movement of pedestrians, vehicles and trolleys, construction sites or the movement of delivery trucks are responsible for falls on the same level, collisions between vehicles and collisions with people or obstacles.
Risky trips
Moving within a company is not without risk! We can distinguish two categories.
Risks of falling on the same level, or ambulatory risks: these are slips, trips, missteps, loss of balance, etc. Falls on the same level (as opposed to falls from a height) are accidents at work that are still too often perceived as being inevitable and of a benign nature. Contrary to these received ideas, they are nevertheless the 2rd cause of accident with at least 4 days off. These falls are not inevitable and have causes:
- Poor visibility due to darkness or weather conditions,
- Holes, obstacles and slippery areas,
- Areas cluttered with equipment,
- Moving too fast
- Object Transport,
- Inattention to the environment,
- Etc ...
These falls can have serious, sometimes even fatal consequences and all sectors of activity are concerned.
Risks of collision and collision: in the workplace there can be significant coactivity, between pedestrians, trucks and machines that load and unload material, move forward and backward, move, turn, lift, etc. The risks of professional accidents are numerous, in particular collisions between machines and obstacles (fixed or mobile).
However, co-activity is not the only cause that can lead to accidents. A number of collisions are linked:
- Has poor visibility (particularly linked to “blind spots” or night work),
- Weather conditions (wind, rain and ice making the ground slippery, fog reducing visibility, etc.),
- At excessive speed,
- To the obsolescence of the machines,
- To the fact of being “absorbed” by its activity,
- When tired,
- When using the phone while walking or driving,
- Failure to respect the defined traffic lanes,
- Etc ...
Move around safely
We rarely think about how to move, but certain gestures and attitudes can protect us and others:
- Pay attention to your work environment and adapt your travels accordingly,
- Wear suitable clothing / PPE that is in good condition,
- Organize and clean your workspace to avoid clutter,
- Report any missing or defective lighting,
- At night and in high-risk areas, wear reflective clothing,
- Indicate dangerous areas (oil puddles, ice, holes), if necessary with a display or markings and notify your manager,
- Respect the traffic lanes dedicated to you,
- Respect the workspace of other trades and keep away from vehicles,
- Be guided during the maneuvers
- Etc ...
Travel-related accidents are not inevitable. We can all take action to reduce risk. Let's keep in mind that dangers exist when we move, to be able to circulate in greater safety.