Injury Procedures: Slips-Trips-Falls
Responding To Injuries To Students, Visitors Or Employees
- Immediately notify University Police @ 942-2071 or dial 9-911 and report the nature of the illness or injury and the location.
- Stay with the victim until help arrives if there is no immediate danger to yourself.
Spilled liquids and wet floors are one of the major causes of slips, trips and falls. If you spill something, please clean it up immediately. If you discover a spill or wet floor and need assistance, please contact Facilities Management so that custodial staff can be summoned. Report all other trip and fall hazards (malfunctioning elevators, holes in the sidewalk, loose carpet, etc.) to Facilities Management immediately.
If any situation appears to be a medical emergency, contact University Police to get help immediately at 942-2071.
- Immediately report the incident to the University Police and your supervisor.
- If you suspect a back or neck (spinal) injury, do not move the affected person. Permanent paralysis and other serious complications can result. Assume a person has a spinal injury if:
- There's evidence of a head injury with an ongoing change in the person's level of consciousness.
- The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back.
- The person won't move his or her neck.
- An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head.
- The person complains of weakness, numbness or paralysis or lacks control of his or her limbs, bladder or bowel.
- The neck or back is twisted or positioned oddly.
If you suspect someone has a spinal injury:
- The goal of first aid for a spinal injury is to keep the person in much the same position as he or she was found. Keep the person still. Place heavy towels on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent movement.
- Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the person's head or neck. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR, but do not tilt the head back to open the airway. Use your fingers to gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward.
- If you absolutely must roll the person because he or she is vomiting, choking on blood or in danger of further injury, use at least two people. Work together to keep the person's head, neck and back aligned while rolling the person onto one side.