STF Situation in NUS:
At NUS the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors are of utmost importance. Slips, trips, and falls (STF) incidents can occur on campus, and we strive to raise awareness about their occurrence and work towards preventing them. Understanding the statistics behind these incidents helps us identify areas of improvement and implement preventive measures effectively.
STF over the years
- From 2019 to 2022, there were almost 150 reported STF incidents were reported on NUS campuses. This number could be just the tip of the iceberg as there may be some incidents that go unreported.
- These incidents accounted for a total of 611 days of medical leave for the injured persons.
- While slightly over 50% of such incidents resulted in minor injuries such as bruises or sprains, 1 out 4 of these incidents resulted in extended time away from work or study. Some of these injuries have long lasting effects on the individual’s ability to work. Such as sprains/strains, fractures and even head injuries.
Where do STF incidents occur?
- 60% of reported incidents occured in an outdoor environment, whereas 40% of incidents occurred in the indoor environment. This goes to show that slips, trips and falls incidents can happen in both outdoor and indoor environments, and thus it is important for us to be mindful of our surroundings at all times.
- 40% of the reported incidents took place in wet-weather conditions. Conversely, 60% of reported incidents happened in dry weather. This indicates that slippery conditions are not solely responsible for the incidents. Personal factors do play a part in contributing to slip, trip and fall incidents.
- High impact incidents (with more than 3 days of medical leave) are plotted on a campus map. This reinforces the fact that slips, trips and fall incidents can happen anywhere on campus.
What are the primary causes of STF incidents in campus?
An analysis into the primary causes of slips, trips and falls incidents was done. It was found that:
- 47% of the incidents resulted from environmental hazards, such as the presence of water on the floor, and other slip/trip hazards. In many of these incidents, the injured persons were found to have not recognised the slip and hazards that were around them.
- 42% of the incidents were attributed to human factors, including distractions, rushing, poor housekeeping or improper footwear choices.
- This indicates that a large proportion of these incidemts could have been avoided if the injured person had exhibited the correct safety behaviour in the presence of these slip, trip and fall hazards.
It is crucial to note that these statistics are based on reported incidents, and there may be unreported cases. Therefore, it is essential for the NUS community to remain vigilant, report hazards promptly, and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of STF incidents.