Injuries Resulting

TISTICS

n | ic i ii u i L-Cfb KJI

Bureau of. Labor Statistics 

August 1984

/ ;?.3t

* /
Injuries Resulting

From Falls on Stairs

U.S. Department of Labor 

Raymond J. Donovan, Secretary

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Janet L. Norwood, Commissioner 

August 1984

Bulletin 2214

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402

Preface

This bulletin summarizes the results of a survey of 

workers who were injured by slips or falls on stairs. 

The findings of this survey, which was conducted during the period from December 1981 through April 1982, 

will assist the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in developing safety standards, compliance strategy, and training programs for reducing 

work-related injuries.

The survey was conducted by the Bureau’s Office of 

Occupational Safety and Health Statistics, in cooperation with the following States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, 

Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, 

Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. BLS regional offices coordinated State operations. The OSHA Offices of Compliance, Standards 

Development, Statistical Studies and Analysis, Regulatory Analysis, and Training as well as the Office of 

Safety Research of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health contributed to the planning 

and development of the survey. The analysis of the survey findings was prepared by Larry Jones and Helen 

McDonald. Lyn Pearson developed computer tabulations. The survey was directed by Helen McDonald 

under the supervision of Herbert Schaffer.

The data collected in the survey indicate how and 

why injuries occurred among the workers studied in 

the cooperating States. However, the user should exercise caution in extrapolating the data to population 

estimates because of limitations of the survey. States 

participating in data collection may not represent the 

country as a whole; government and mining industries 

are not included; reporting requirements for workers’ 

compensation reports, the source documents for selecting injuries for study, vary among States; and the data 

collection period is not intended to represent the entire 

year.

Incidence rates of the injuries studied were not generated, nor can they be inferred from the data because 

information on hours of work for the survey period is 

not available. See appendix A for scope and methodology of the survey.

A list of other Work Injury Reports published since 

1978 appears at the end of this bulletin.

Material in this publication is in the public domain 

and, with appropriate credit, may be reproduced without permission.

Contents

Page

Survey results................................................................................................................................... 1

Chart 1: Percent distribution of all workers and workers who fell on stairs by occupation........ 2

Tables:

Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected States, December 1981 -April 1982:

1. Nature of injury........................................................................................................... 4

2. Part of body affected.................................................................................................... 5

3. Estimated days away from w o rk .................................................................................. 6

4. Length of hospitalization required............................................................................... 6

5. Activity at time of accident........................................................................................... 7

6. Description of accident................................................................................................ 8

7. Description of stairs...................................................................................................... 9

8. Hazardous conditions and other factors contributing to accident.............................. 12

9. Industry classification.................................................................................................. 13

10. Size of company............................................................................................................ 13

11. Age of worker................................................................................................................ 13

12. Sex of worker................................................................................................................ 14

13. Occupation.................................................................................................................... 14

14. Source of injury............................................................................................................ 14

Appendixes:

A. Survey explanatory note.. ................................................................................................ 15

B. Participating State agencies............................................................................................... 16

C. Survey questionnaire ........................................................................................................ 17

I V
Survey Results

Falls to lower levels on stairs result in nearly 33,000 

disabling work injuries a year and account for 1.3 percent of all lost-time injuries and illnesses, according to 

a BLS estimate.1 To obtain additional information on 

the causes and consequencs of these accidents, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a special study in 

which workers were asked to describe their activity at 

the time of the fall, how the accident occurred, the 

number of stairs they fell down, and the location of the 

stairs. As a measure of the severity of workers’ injuries, 

information was obtained on the number of days lost 

from work, the amount of hospitalization required, the 

nature of the injury, and the part of the body affected. 

Injured workers also provided descriptions of the stairs, 

including slip-resistant features, and any hazardous conditions or other factors which may have contributed to 

their falls. In addition to stair accidents classified as falls 

to lower levels, the scope of the survey included slips 

and falls to the same level on stairs. The survey findings reflect the responses of 1,007 workers injured during a 5-month period from December 1981 through 

April 1982.1 2

Summary of survey findings

Unlike many types of work-related accidents, falls on 

stairs occurred with about the same frequency among 

different groups of workers. Comparisons of workers 

who slipped or fell on stairs with the general working 

population indicated that age was not a factor in these 

accidents. The industry distribution and male/female 

ratios of the injured workers showed that the service 

industries and women workers were somewhat overrepresented. However, the major difference appeared 

in the occupational distributions. Service workers, 

waiters and waitresses included, have a higher risk of 

accidents on stairs, probably reflecting their frequent 

use of stairs in serving customers.

1 Estimates of the total number of disabling injuries resulting from

falls on stairs were derived from 1980 BLS Supplementary Data System disability files and the 1980 Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, and limited to private sector data. The proportion of disabling cases involving falls on stairs (SDS data) was multiplied by the number of lost workday injuries and illnesses (annual

survey data) to produce an estimate of the total number of disabling

injuries for falls on stairs.

2 See appendix A for scope of survey.

Most of the incidents occurred while going down the 

stairs. Loss of traction caused the largest number of the 

accidents and, except for exterior stairs, was usually 

due to water or other liquids on the steps. On outdoor 

stairways, ice and snow were the major hazards. Overall, about three-fifths of the accidents were attributed, 

totally or in part, to hazardous conditions on the stairs. 

The fact that nearly two-thirds of the workers were 

not using handrails implies that some, though not all, 

of the accidents could have been prevented by using 

this safety feature. Over one-fifth of the stairs on which 

accidents occurred were not equipped with railings.

Finally, four-fifths of the workers surveyed lost an 

average of 18 days away from work as a result of their 

accidents, indicating that falls on stairs are usually serious and require a long recuperative period.

Industry, age, sex, and occupation

The industry, age, and sex of workers who fell on 

stairs nearly matched that of all workers in the States 

which participated in this survey. Furthermore, this relationship prevailed in most of the occupational 

groupings.

The distribution of stair accidents by industry was 

similar to the States’ overall employment distribution. 

As shown below, the two exceptions were the services 

industry, which had proportionately more injuries, and 

manufacturing firms, which showed proportionately 

fewer injuries:

Industry division

______ Percent_________

All Workers who

workers3 fell on stairs

T otal........................................................ 100 100

Construction.................................................. 5 6

Manufacturing................................................ 27 21

Transportation and public utilities........... 6 8

Wholesale trade............................................. 7 7

Retail trade...................................................... 21 19

Finance, insurance, and real estate.......... 7 9

Services............................................................ 24 29

Other................................................................. 3 1

3 “All Workers” is an annual average and is derived either from the

BLS-State Employment and Earnings Survey data or from State unemployment insurance program data.

1
Age distributions of the injured workers and of all 

workers were nearly identical in these States, as shown 

below using unpublished BLS data from the Current 

Population Survey, 1982:

Percent

Age All Workers who

workers fell on stairs

19 or less........................ 8 6

20-24.............................. 13 15

25-34.............................. 29 30

35-44.............................. 21 19

45-54.............................. 16 15

55-64.............................. 11 12

65 or m o r e ................... 3 2

Falls on stairs were almost evenly divided between 

men and women, 51 and 49 percent, respectively, although men represented a larger proportion of all 

workers employed in these States, 56 percent.4

The largest differences between the injured workers 

and all workers were reflected in two occupational 

groups. As indicated in chart 1, service workers, including waiters, waitresses, and other food service employees, accounted for the largest proportion of workers 

injured, 22 percent, while representing only 14 percent 

of all workers. Conversely, professional and technical 

workers constituted a higher proportion of all workers 

but experienced relatively fewer accidents.

Injuries, hospitalization, and lost workdays

Muscle sprains or strains, the most common injuries, 

were sustained by 64 percent of the workers who fell 

(table 1). Next in frequency were bruises or contusions, 

38 percent, and fractures, 20 percent.

Thirty-three percent of the injuries were to the lower 

extremities, most commonly the ankle or knee (table 2). 

Thirty percent of the workers received injuries to the 

trunk, particularly the back, while 23 percent of the 

accidents resulted in injuries involving multiple body 

parts.

Eighty percent of the workers surveyed lost days 

away from work as a result of their injuries (table 3). 

The average lost-time case resulted in 18 days away 

from work. Twelve percent of the workers indicated 

that they were hospitalized overnight after the accident, 

with an average hospital stay of 7 nights (table 4).

Activity at the time of the accident

Over four-fifths of the workers were going down the 

stairs when the accident occurred (table 5). Relatively 

few workers, 5 percent, indicated they were running at 

the time of their fall. About three-fifths of the workers 

were carrying objects while using the stairs. Most 

workers were familiar with the stairs since 9 out of 10 

had used the stairs before the accident.

4 Current Population Survey, 1982, unpublished BLS data.

Nearly two-thirds of the workers were not using 

handrails when they fell. The most frequent explanations for this were lack of railings on the entire staircase or at the particular spot where the accident occurred. One-sixth of the workers indicated that, due 

to objects being carried, they were unable to hold the 

railing, and about one-tenth of the workers felt, at least 

prior to their accident, that using the handrail was 

unnecessary.

Description of the accident

Over three-fifths of the accidents occurred when the 

worker’s foot slipped on the step or off the edge of the 

step (table 6). About 1 out of 10 workers caught their 

shoe heels, and a similar proportion either tripped on 

the step or slipped or tripped on objects (as opposed to 

the step surface). Other falls were initiated by actions 

solely related to bodily motion such as turning or twisting a foot or missing a step.

Three-fifths of the workers fell to the landing or bottom of the stairs. About 1 out of 4 workers stopped

Chart 1. Percent distribution of all workers and

workers who fell on stairs by occupation

Professional, 

technical, and 

kindred workers

Managers and 

adm inistrators

Sales workers

Clerical and 

kindred workers

Craft and 

kindred workers

Operatives, excluding transport

Transport equipment operatives

Laborers, including farm

Service workers

0 5 10 15 20 25

Percent

C 2 All workers

W orkers who fell on stairs

2
falling prior to reaching the landing. Most of the remaining workers either fell upward or to the same level 

or managed to stop their fall but were still injured in 

the process. Falls over the side of the stairs accounted 

for 1 percent of the injuries.

Because of the varying lengths of staircases, workers 

were asked to indicate the number of steps they fell 

down, rather than whether they fell from the top or 

middle of the staircase. The largest proportion of falls, 

38 percent, were two to four steps in distance, followed 

by falls involving five to eight steps, 22 percent. Thirteen percent of the workers fell down nine or more 

steps. The remaining workers fell down one step, fell 

upwards or, as noted above, did not actually fall.

Location and description of the stairs

More than one-fourth of the falls occurred on exterior stairs, reflecting, in part, the adverse weather conditions during the winter months of the survey period 

(table 7). Among the accidents which occurred on interior stairs, the most frequent locations were: Office 

or public buildings, 25 percent; industrial buildings such 

as factories or warehouses, 21 percent; and stores, restaurants, or hotels, 17 percent (table 7).

Slightly more than one-fifth of the staircases were 

not equipped with handrails, most frequently exterior 

stairs or those located in stores, restaurants, or hotels. 

About one-third of the stairs were enclosed by walls 

on both sides and a similar proportion were open on 

one side.

A typical step has a height (rise) of 7 to 8 inches and 

depth of 10 to 12 inches. Workers who provided measurements of the stairs indicated that 15 percent of the 

step risers were higher than normal and 22 percent were 

less than 10 inches deep. About one-fifth of the stairs 

had open backs.

The staircases on which the accidents occurred were 

divided into four size groups. Staircases with 2 to 4 

steps accounted for 19 percent of the accident sites; 5 

to 8 steps, 26 percent; 9 to 12 steps, 27 percent; and 

more than 12 steps, 22 percent.

Thirty-eight percent of the stairs had a surface composed of concrete, stone, brick, or marble, and 20 percent were wood. Fifteen percent were covered with 

carpeting or runners.

Nearly one-third of the workers indicated that the 

stairs had slip-resistant features, such as a rough surface, nonskid strips, or slip-resistant paint. However, 

workers who fell on these stairs slipped almost as frequently as workers on stairs without these safety features. A cross-tabulation indicated that slips were the 

initial event in 66 percent of the falls on stairs without 

slip-resistant features. However, slips also caused 59 

percent of the falls on stairs with slip-resistant devices. 

Some workers explained that the slip-resistant strips or 

paint had worn over time and offered little traction. In 

other instances, the steps, including the slip-resistant 

features, were covered with ice or snow.

Conditions or factors contributing to the

accident

Over three-fifths of the workers noted hazardous conditions on the stairs and, with few exceptions, indicated 

that these conditions contributed to their accident (table 8). Slippery surfaces were by far the most common 

hazard, cited in 42 percent of the accidents. As shown 

below, two-fifths of the slippery surfaces were the result of winter weather. Less than one-fifth were attributed to the step surface itself:

Condition Percent

Total with slippery surfaces............... 100

Ice or snow ...................................................... 40

Grease or o il.................................................... 6

Water or other liquids................................... 35

Step surface or covering.............................. 17

Other................................................................. 2

Inadequate lighting, worn or uneven steps, and bro 

ken steps were each cited as causal factors by 5 to 

7 percent of the workers. Other contributing factors 

cited frequently by workers were the shoes they were 

wearing, 14 percent; not paying attention to where they 

were going, 12 percent; not being able to see where 

they stepped, 10 percent; and moving too fast, 9 percent.

3
Table 1. Nature of injury: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected

States, December 1981-April 1982

Nature of injury Number Percent

Total 1............................................................................................. 1,007

206

0

Fracture................................................................................................. 20

Cut, laceration, or puncture................................................................. 96 10

Bruise or contusion.............................................................................. 378 38

Muscle sprain, strain, or torn ligaments............................................. 643 64

Concussion........................................................................................... 25 2

O ther.................................................................................................... 73 7

1 Because more than 1 response is 

possible, the sum of the responses and 

percentages may not equal the total. Percentages are calculated by dividing each 

response by the total number of persons 

who answered the question.

NOTE: See appendix A for the scope 

of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total number of 

responses may vary by question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

4
Table 2. Part of body affected: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Part of body Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007

21

100

Head..................................................................................................... 2

Head, uns....................................................................................... 4 (')

1 o

Eye(s)............................................................................................ 2 (')

Face .............................................................................................. 8

1

1

Face, uns..................................................................................... 0

1 o

Mouth .......................................................................................... 2 0

Nose........................................................................................... 2 o

Face, multiple parts.................................................................... 1 o

1 0

Head, multiple............................................................................... 3 0

Head, n.e.c..................................................................................... 3 0

4 (’)

Upper extremities ................................................................................ 99 10

Arm(s)............................................................................................ 41 4

Arm, uns....................................................................................... 8 1

Upper arm ................................................................................... 3 (')

Elbow.......................................................................................... 22 2

Forearm....................................................................................... 7 1

Arm, multiple .............................................................................. 1 o

Wrist .............................................................................................. 21 2

Hand.............................................................................................. 12 1

Finger(s)......................................................................................... 14 1

Upper extremities, multiple........................................................... 11 1

Trunk.................................................................................................... 305 30

Abdomen ....................................................................................... 4 (1)

Back .............................................................................................. 186 18

Chest............................................................................................. 28 3

Hips ............................................................................................... 32 3

Shoulder(s) .................................................................................... 26 3

Trunk, multiple .............................................................................. 28

1

3

Trunk, n.e.c..................................................................................... o

Lower extremities ................................................................................ 335 33

Leg(s) ............................................................................................ 121 12

Leg, uns....................................................................................... 13 1

Thigh........................................................................................... 3 o

Knee ........................................................................................... 93 9

Lower leg .................................................................................... 8 1

Leg, multiple............................................................................... 4 0

136 14Ankle .............................................................................................

F oot............................................................................................... 52 5

Toe(s)............................................................................................ 3 O

Lower extremities, multiple........................................................... 23 2

Multiple parts....................................................................................... 231 23

Body parts, n.e.c................................................................................... 3 O

Nonclassifiable.................................................................................... 9 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

uns. = unspecified.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey.

SOURCE: State workers’ compensation 

reports.

5
Table 3. Estimated days away from work: Injuries resulting from falls on

stairs, selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Days away from work Number Percent

Total ............................................................................................... 977 100

No days away from work .................................................................... 195 20

1 to 5 days........................................................................................... 285 29

6 to 10 days......................................................................................... 134 14

11 to 15 days....................................................................................... 61 6

16 to 20 days....................................................................................... 42 4

21 to 25 days....................................................................................... 32 3

26 to 30 days....................................................................................... 35 4

31 to 40 days....................................................................................... 35 4

41 to 60 days....................................................................................... 60 6

More than 60 days.............................................................................. 37 4

Lost time cases for which days away from work were not

estimated........................................................................................... 61 6

Mean days away from work per lost-workday case.......................... 18

Median days away from work per lost-workday case....................... 9

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total

number of responses may vary by 

question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

Table 4. Length of hospitalization required: Injuries resulting from falls

on stairs, selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Length of hospitalization *123456 78910

Total ......................................................................................

No hospitalization required.........................................................

1 night..........................................................................................

2 nights........................................................................................

3 nights........................................................................................

4 nights........................................................................................

5 nights........................................................................................

6 nights........................................................................... ,...........

7 nights........................................................................................

8 nights........................................................................................

9 nights........................................................................................

10 nights......................................................................................

11 to 20 nights ............................................................................

21 to 30 nights ............................................................................

Hospitalized cases for which length of hospitalization was not 

estimated..................................................................................

Mean length (nights) of hospitalization per hospitalized case ..

Median length (nights) of hospitalization per hospitalized case

Number Percent

1,000 100

877 88

12 1

9 1

14 1

11 1

11 1

6 1

7 1

2 0

4 0

11 1

24 2

3 0

9 1

7

6

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total 

number of responses may vary by 

question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

6
Table 5. Activity at time of accident: Injuries resulting from falls on

stairs, selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Activity Number Percent

General activity at time of accident

Total ............................................................................................... 1,006

837

100

83

Walking .......................................................................................... 783 78

Running.......................................................................................... 34 3

Going up stairs .................................................................................... 946 94

Walking .......................................................................................... 143 14

Running.......................................................................................... 20 2

Working on stairs (for example: cleaning stairs)................................ 17 2

O ther..................................................................................................... 9 1

Direction of worker movement on stairs

Total ............................................................................................... 981 100

Moving forward.................................................................................... 961 98

Moving backward.................................................................................. 20 2

Holding object(s) at time of accident

Total ............................................................................................... 1,004

431

100

Not holding object(s)............................................................................ 43

Holding object(s) with both hands ...................................................... 221 22

Holding object(s) with one hand ......................................................... 352 35

Use of handrails at time of fall

Total ............................................................................................... 989 100

Holding handrail................................................................................... 306 31

Not holding handrail............................................................................. 620 63

No handrail on stairs......................................................................... 204 21

Hands were not free to hold on to handrail ................................... 155 16

Let go of rail for a moment.............................................................. 53 5

There was no rail at that sp o t......................................................... 20 2

Rail was out of reach........................................................................ 45 5

Did not think it was necessary ........................................................ 110 11

Other reason ..................................................................................... 33 3

Don’t remember................................................................................... 63 6

How often worker normally uses stairs involved in accident

Total ............................................................................................... 987 100

First time worker used these stairs..................................................... 92 9

Less than once a day.......................................................................... 163 17

1 to 4 times a day............................................................................... 371 38

5 to 10 times a day.............................................................................. 193 20

More than 10 time a day..................................................................... 168 17

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages number of responses may vary by 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for question.

the scope of the survey. Because incom- SOURCE: Survey questionnaire,

plete questionnaires were used, the total

7
Table 6. Description of accident: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Description of accident

How accident occurred

Number Percent

Initial event

Total ..........................................................

Tripped or slipped on object(s) lying on stairs

Tripped on step...............................................

Caught heel.....................................................

Slipped on step or slipped off edge of step ...

Foot turned or twisted ....................................

Lost balance....................................................

Pushed or knocked down steps.....................

Missed a step ..................................................

O ther................................................................

Intermediate event(s)

Total2........................................................

Tripped or slipped on object(s) lying on stairs

Tripped on step...............................................

Caught heel.....................................................

Slipped on step or slipped off edge of step ....

Foot turned or twisted ....................................

Lost balance....................................................

Pushed or knocked down steps.....................

Missed a step ..................................................

O ther................................................................

Final event

Total .................................................................................

Fell down to landing or bottom of stairs...............................

Fell part way down stairs.......................................................

Fell up the stairs or to the same level..................................

Fell over side of stairs or railing to surface below..............

Did not fall to surface (caught railing and stopped fall, etc.) 

O ther.......................................................................................

Number of steps worker fell down

Total ............................................

None (fell up stairs, over side, etc.) ..

One step............................................

2 to 4 steps........................................

5 to 8 steps........................................

9 to 12 steps......................................

More than 12 steps...........................

Don’t know .........................................

994 100

32 3

72 7

88 9

621 62

43 4

50 5

4 (’)

60 6

24 2

306 (2)

1 (’)

30 10

18 6

45 15

103 34

172 56

36 12

3 1

,007 100

603 60

238 24

78 8

9 1

77 8

2 (’)

,001 100

165 16

104 10

379 38

216 22

86 9

39 4

12 1

' Less than 0.5 percent.

2 Because more than 1 response is 

possible, the sum of the responses and 

percentages may not equal the total. Percentages are calculated by dividing each 

response by the total number of persons 

who answered the question.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total 

number of responses may vary by 

question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

8
Table 7. Description of stairs: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Description of stairs Number Percent

Location of stairs

Total .............................................................................................. 1,004 100

In an office or public building ............................................................. 247 25

In a store, restaurant, or hotel............................................................ 173 17

In an industrial building (factory, warehouse, plant, etc.) ................. 206 21

In a house or other residential building.............................................. 61 6

Outside................................................................................................. 275 27

In a building under construction......................................................... 17 2

Other location ...................................................................................... 25 2

Wall enclosures

Total .............................................................................................. 989 100

Enclosed by walls on both sides ....................................................... 339 34

Enclosed by wall on one side ............................................................ 357 36

Open on both sides ............................................................................ 270 27

O ther.................................................................................................... 23 2

Width of stairs

Total .............................................................................................. 961 100

Less than 2 fe e t.................................................................................. 62 6

2 to 4 feet ............................................................................................ 680 71

5 to 8 feet ............................................................................................ 197 20

More than 8 feet.................................................................................. 22 2

Height of step (rise)

Estimated or measured height

Total ........................................................................................ 974 100

Less than 7 inches........................................................................ 131 13

7 to 8 inches................................................................................. 542 56

More than 8 inches....................................................................... 82 8

Don’t know .................................................................................... 219 22

Measured height only

Total ........................................................................................ 102 100

Less than 7 inches........................................................................ 28 27

7 to 8 inches................................................................................. 59 58

More than 8 inches....................................................................... 15 15

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 7. Description of stairs: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982—Continued

Description of stairs Number Percent

Depth of tread

Estimated or measured depth

Total ........................................................................................ 967 100

Less than 10 inches...................................................................... 221 23

10 to 12 inches............................................................................. 471 49

More than 12 inches..................................................................... 50 5

Spiral stairs (depth varies) ........................................................... 8 1

Don’t know.................................................................................... 217 22

Measured depth only

Total ........................................................................................ 102 100

Less than 10 inches...................................................................... 22 22

10 to 12 inches............................................................................. 67 66

More than 12 inches..................................................................... 13 13

Back of steps

Total .............................................................................................. 989 100

Closed.................................................................................................. 768 78

Open .................................................................................................... 221 22

Nosing on stairs

Total .............................................................................................. 976 100

Stairs with nosing ................................................................................ 255 26

Stairs without nosing........................................................................... 471 48

Don’t know ........................................................................................... 250 26

Depth of nosing

Total .............................................................................................. 251 100

About 1 inch......................................................................................... 167 67

More than 1 inch................................................................................. 36 14

Don’t know........................................................................................... 48 19

Surface of the steps

Total .............................................................................................. 997 100

Carpet .................................................................................................. 128 13

Runner ................................................................................................. 20 2

Concrete, stone, brick, or marble....................................................... 380 38

Metal or metal grate ........................................................................... 132 13

Wood.................................................................................................... 198 20

Tile........................................................................................................ 73 7

Other .................................................................................................... 37 4

Don’t know .......................................................................................... 29 3

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 7. Description of stairs: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982—Continued

Description of stairs Number Percent

Slip-resistant features

Total 1............................................................................................. 978 0

Nonslip-mats ........................................................................................ 32 3

Nonskid-strips ...................................................................................... 81 8

Slip-resistant paint............................................................................... 18 2

Roughened surface............................................................................. 154 16

O ther.................................................................................................... 31 3

None..................................................................................................... 520 53

Don’t know ........................................................................................... 144 15

Handrails on stairs

Total ............................................................................................... 991 100

No handrails......................................................................................... 204 21

Handrails on one side.......................................................................... 432 44

Handrails on both sides....................................................................... 343 35

Handrails on both sides and down the center.................................. 12 1

Number of steps in the staircase

Total ............................................................................................... 992 100

2 to 4 steps.......................................................................................... 188 19

5 to 8 steps.......................................................................................... 255 26

9 to 12 steps........................................................................................ 265 27

More than 12 steps............................................................................. 216 22

Don’t know ........................................................................................... 68 7

1 Because more than 1 response is 

possible, the sum of the responses and 

percentages may not equal the total. Percentages are calculated by dividing each 

response by the total number of persons 

who answered the question.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total 

number of responses may vary by 

question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

11
Table 8. Hazardous conditions and other factors contributing to accident:

injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected States,

December 1981-April 1982

Conditions or factors Number Percent

Hazardous conditions on stairs

Total 1............................................................................................. 986 (')

No hazardous conditions..................................................................... 378 38

Steps broken or in bad condition........................................................ 46 5

Slippery surface................................................................................... 417 42

Torn or loose covering ........................................................................ 22 2

Objects on stairway.............................................................................. 37 4

Inadequate lighting............................................................................... 70 7

Steps uneven or worn down............................................................... 59 6

Loose or broken handrail.................................................................... 9 1

Steps unevenly spaced ....................................................................... 15 2

O ther..................................................................................................... 72 7

Hazardous conditions as factors contributing to accident

(stairs with hazardous conditions only)

Total ............................................................................................... 588 100

Hazardous condition(s) did not contribute to accident...................... 27 5

Hazardous condition(s) did contribute to accident............................ 561 95

Shoes as factors contributing to accident

Total ............................................................................................... 995 100

Shoes did not contribute to accident ................................................. 716 72

Shoes did contribute to accident ........................................................ 138 14

Don’t know ........................................................................................... 141 14

Other factors contributing to accident

Total 1............................................................................................. 962 (’)

Walking too fast, running, or taking 2 steps at a tim e...................... 85 9

Thought stairs were steeper than normal.......................................... 36 4

Carrying object that was too big, too heavy, or which shifted 

position............................................................................................... 78 8

Felt landing too small .......................................................................... 6 1

Unable to see where you were stepping ........................................... 94 10

Unable to hold handrail ....................................................................... 74 8

Not paying close attention to where you were going........................ 116 12

Was tired or fatigued ........................................................................... 65 7

Had physical condition which contributed to the accident............... 18 2

Distracted by person on the stairs, noise, etc.................................... 37 4

O ther.................................................................................................... 31 3

Nothing else contributed to accident.................................................. 503 52

1 Because more than 1 response is may not add to 100. See appendix A for

possible, the sum of the responses and the scope of the survey. Because incompercentages may not equal the total. Per- plete questionnaires were used, the total

centages are calculated by dividing each number of responses may vary by

response by the total number of persons question.

who answered the question. SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages

12
Table 9. Industry classification: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007 100

5 (')

4 (’)

60 6

210 21

84 8

Wholesale trade................................................................................... 69 7

196 19

87 9

Services............................................................................................... 291 29

Other industries, n.e.c.......................................................................... 1 0

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

2 Limited to oil and gas extraction, 

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified. 

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey.

SOURCE: State workers’ compensation 

reports.

Table 10. Size of company: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs,

selected States, December 1981-April 1982

Size of company Number Percent

Number of people employed in worker’s company

Total .............................................................................................. 956 100

1 to 10 ................................................................................................. 159 17

11 to 49 ............................................................................................... 228 24

50 to 99 ............................................................................................... 120 13

100 to 499 ........................................................................................... 218 23

500 or more......................................................................................... 231 24

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total

number of responses may vary by 

question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire.

Table 11. Age of worker: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected

States, December 1981-April 1982

Age Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007

64

100

15-19 years ......................................................................................... 6

20-24 years ......................................................................................... 150 15

25-34 years ......................................................................................... 293 29

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 190 19

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 153 15

55-64 years ......................................................................................... 117 12

65 years or more................................................................................. 24 2

Not available....................................................................................... 16 2

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages SOURCE: State workers’ compensation

may not add to 100. See appendix A for reports, 

the scope of the survey.

13
Table 12. Sex of worker: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected

States, December 1981-April 1982

Sex Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007 100

Men ...................................................................................................... 517 51

Women................................................................................................. 490 49

NOTE: See appendix A for the scope SOURCE: State workers’ compensation

of the survey. reports.

Table 13. Occupation: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected

States, December 1981-April 1982

Occupation Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007

70

100

Professional, technical, and kindred workers.................................... 7

Managers and administrators, excluding farm................................... 93 g

Salesworkers........................................................................................ 63 6

Clerical and kindred workers.............................................................. 184 18

Craft and kindred workers................................................................... 129 13

Operatives, excluding transport.......................................................... 117 12

Transport equipment operatives......................................................... 65 6

Laborers, excluding farm ..................................................................... 59 6

Farm laborers and farm laborer supervisors..................................... 5 o

Service workers, excluding private household.................................. 218 22

Private household workers.................................................................. (’) 1

Nonclassifiable..................................................................................... 3 O

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for

the scope of the survey.

SOURCE: State workers’ compensation 

reports.

Table 14. Source of injury: Injuries resulting from falls on stairs, selected

States, December 1981-April 1982

Source of injury Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007

53

100

Bodily motion ....................................................................................... 5

Boilers, pressure vessels..................................................................... 1 o

Boxes, barrels, containers................................................................... 3 (’)

Buildings and structures...................................................................... 5 (')

Furniture, fixtures, etc........................................................................... 2 (’)

Handtools, not powered ...................................................................... (') 1

Handtools, powered............................................................................ 1 0

Hoisting apparatus............................................................................... 1 (')

Liquids, n.e.c......................................................................................... 1 (’)

Metal items.......................................................................................... 3 (')

Vehicles ............................................................................................... 1 (')

Working surfaces................................................................................. 933 93

Floor.............................................................................................. 25 2

Ground .......................................................................................... 13 1

Sidewalks, paths, etc..................................................................... 1 (’)

Stairs, steps................................................................................... 893 89

Working surfaces, n.e.c.................................................................. 1 O

Person.................................................................................................. 0

1

Nonclassifiable..................................................................................... 1 0

1 Less than 0.5 percent. the scope of the survey.

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified. SOURCE: State workers' compensation

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages reports.

may not add to 100. See appendix A for

14
Appendix A. Survey

Explanatory Note

The survey was designed to develop information on 

injuries resulting from slips and falls to workers on 

stairs. The scope of the survey extended to all industries except coal, metallic and nonmetallic mining, and 

government. All occupations were included in the scope 

of the survey. Falls from curbs or similar structures 

having only one step, escalators, portable or folding 

stairs, and stairs on vehicles were excluded. In addition, 

falls resulting from the structural collapse of the stairway, explosions, or assualts were not included. Cases 

were also excluded from the survey if the injury resulted in a fatality or if more than 120 days had elapsed 

between the time of injury and the beginning of the 

survey.

The survey covered the 24 States which are listed in 

appendix B. To identify cases within the scope of the 

survey, staff of participating State agencies reviewed 

employers’ reports of injuries required by State workers’ 

compensation laws and mailed questionnaires to injured 

workers selected for study. Cooperation was requested 

on a voluntary basis. During the survey period, December 1981-April 1982, 1,007 survey questionnaires 

were returned and found to be within the scope of the 

survey, resulting in a 64-percent response rate.

Although the data were aggregated for all participating States, it should be noted that the workers’ compensation cases selected for study reflect differences in 

reporting requirements. For example, some States require reporting of workers’ compensation cases involving medical treatment regardless of lost time, while

others limit reporting to cases involving lost time ranging from 1 to 8 days.

No attempt was made to weight the data collected 

so that they would be representative of all falls on stairs. 

Although participating States provided a broad geographical and industrial mix, they were not selected 

statistically to represent the country as a whole. Moreover, collection for the survey was terminated when responses exceeded 750 cases.

Questionnaires returned by the injured workers were 

reviewed for completeness and response errors. Responses to question J.l (type of surface) were classified 

by BLS.

Estimates of mean and median lost workdays and 

nights of hospitalization do not include cases in which 

workers indicated lost time or hospitalization but failed 

to provide numerical estimates of the amount of time.

All usable responses on incomplete questionnaires 

were used in the tabulations. Consequently, response 

rates vary among questions. No attempt was made to 

adjust the data for nonresponse.

Information on the employer’s industry classification 

and the worker’s age, sex, part of body injured, and 

source of injury were classified and tabulated for all 

respondents based on information furnished by the employer in the workers’ compensation report.

Numerical values shown in tables were actual counts 

while percentages were rounded to the nearest whole 

number.

15
Appendix B. Participating

State Agencies

Arizona Industrial Commission

Arkansas Department of Labor

California Department of Industrial Relations

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Delaware Department of Labor

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Indiana Division of Labor

Iowa Bureau of Labor

Kentucky Department of Labor

Maine Department of Labor

Maryland Department of Licensing and Regulation

Michigan Department of Labor

Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial

Relations

Montana Department of Labor and Industry 

Nebraska Workmen’s Compensation Court 

North Carolina Industrial Commission 

Ohio Industrial Commission 

Tennessee Department of Labor 

Utah Industrial Commission 

Vermont Department of Labor and Industry 

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry 

Washington Department of Labor and Industries 

Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor, and 

Human Relations

Wyoming Department of Labor and Statistics

16
Appendix C. Survey Questionnaire

Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor

Work Injury Report—Falls On Stairs

The inform ation collected on this form by the Bureau o f This report is authorized by law 29 U.S.C. 2.

Labor Statistics and the State Agencies cooperating in its Your voluntary cooperation is needed to make

statistical program w ill be held in confidence and w ill be the results o f this survey comprehensive,

used fo r statistical purposes only. accurate, and timely.

Form Approved 

O.M.B. No. 1220-0047 

Approval Expires 6/30/82

State Case Number

Date of 

Accident

A. What were you doing at the time of your accident? (Check one.)

1. 0 W alking up stairs

2. □ W alkin g dow n stairs

3. 0 R u n nin g up stairs

4. 0 R u n nin g d ow n stairs

5. 0 W o rkin g on stairs (fo r exam ple: cleaning stairs)

6. □ Other: (Describe)

H. Were you carrying or holding anything at the time of your

accident? (Check one.)

1. □ N o

2. □ Y e s—h old in g ob ject(s) w ith

bo th hands: (Describe object)--------------------------

O Y e s—h old in g ob ject(s) w ith one 

hand only : (Describe object) _

B. Were you moving backwards as you were going up or down the stairs?

1. □ N o 2. □ Y es

C. How often do you normally use these stairs? (Check one.)

1. 0 F ir s t tim e you used these stairs

2. □ Less than on ce a day

3. G 1 t o 4 tim es a day

4. 0 5 to 10 tim es a day

5. 0 M o re than 10 tim es a day

D. How did your accident occur? (Check all that apply.)

1. □ T rip p e d or slipp ed on object(s)

ly in g on stairs: (Describe)_______________________________

2_ 0 T rip p e d on step

3. □ C augh t heel

4. 0 Slip p ed on step o r slipp ed o f f edge o f step

5. 0 Foo t turned or twisted

6. 0 L o s t balance

7. CD Pushed o r kn o cked d ow n steps

8. 0 Missed a step

9. □ O ther: (Describe)__________________________________________

E. If you checked more than one response in question D, which event

occurred first? (Check one.)

1. 0 Tripped or slipped on object(s) lying on stairs

2. 0 T rip p e d on step

3. 0 Caught heel

4. 0 Slip p ed on step or slipped o f f edge o f step

5. 0 Fo o t turned or twisted

6. □ L o s t balance

7. 0 Pushed or k n o cke d d ow n steps

8. □ Missed a step

9. □ O the r

F. Where did you fall to? (Check one.)

1. 0 D ow n to landing o r b o ttom o f stairs

2. Q Pa rt w ay d ow n the stairs

3. 0 U p the stairs or to the same level

4. 0 O ver side o f stairs o r railing to surface below

5. 0 D id n o t fall to surface (caught railing and stopped fall, etc.)

6. 0 other: (Describe)

G.1 About how many steps did you fall down? (Check one.)

1. 0 N on e

2. 0 One step

3. 0 2 to 4 steps

4. 0 5 to 8 steps

5. 0 9 to 12 steps

6. 0 M o re than 12 steps (indicate approximate number __

7. 0 D on't know

G.2 How many steps were there in the staircase? (Check one.)

1. 0 2 to 4 steps

2. 0 5 to 8 steps

3. 0 9 to 12 steps

4. 0 M o re than 12 steps (indicate

approximate number of steps between landings_____

5. 0 D on't know

)

)

1.1 Were there handrails on the stairs? (Check one.)

1. 0 N o

2. 0 Yes—on one side

3. 0 Y e s—on bo th sides

4. 0 Yes—on both sides and down the center

1.2 If there were handrails on the staircase, were you holding on to the

rail when you started to fall? (Check one.)

1. 0 Y es

2. 0 N o —hands w ere n o t free to h o ld on to rail

3. 0 N o —le t go o f rail fo r a m om en t

4. 0 N o —there was no rail a t th a t spo t

5. 0 N o —rail was o u t o f reach

6. 0 N o—did not think It was necessary

7. 0 N o —o the r reason: (Describe) _____________________________

8. 0 D o n 't rem em ber

J.1 Did the stairs have any hazardous conditions? (Check all that apply.)

1. 0 Steps b ro ken o r in bad co n d itio n

2. 0 Slip p e ry surface: (Describe)______________________________

3. O T o rn o r loose covering

4. 0 O b jects on stairw ay

5. 0 Inadequate ligh ting

6. 0 Steps uneven er w o rn dow n

7. 0 Loo se or b roken han d rail

8. 0 Steps unevenly spaced

9. 0 O ther: (Describe)_______________________________________

10. 0 N o hazardous co n d itio n s

J. 2 If the stairs had any hazardous conditions, did they contribute to

your accident?

1. 0 N o 2. 0 Yes: (Explain) ---------------------------------------

K. Did the shoes you were wearing contribute to your accident?

1. o N o

2. O Yes: (Explain)__________________________________________

3. 0 D o n 't kn ow

L. Did anything else contribute to your accident? (Check all that apply.)

1. 0 W alking to o fast, running o r ta king 2 steps a t a tim e

2. 0 Thought stairs were steeper than normal

3. 0 C a rrying ob je c t tha t w as to o big, to o heavy o r w h ic h shifted

position

4. 0 F e lt landing to o sm all: (Describe) ----------------------------------

5. 0 U na ble to see where you w ere stepping

6. 0 U n a ble to h o ld hand rail

7. 0 No t paying closa attention to where you were going

8. 0 Was tired or fatigued

9. 0 H ad phy sical c o n d itio n w h ich c o n trib u ted to the a cciden t:

(Describe) .............................................. ................................

10. O Dis tracted by person on th e stairs, noise, etc.

11. 0 O ther: (Describe)

12. 0 N o th in g else co n trib u te d to a c cid e n t

CONTINUE ON REVERSE SIDE

B LS 98D (March 1982)

17
M. Where were the stairs located? (Check one.)

1. 0 In an office o r p u b lic building

2. 0 In a store, restaurant or hotel

3. 0 In an industrial building (factory, warehouse, plant, etc.)

4. 0 In a h ouse or o th e r residen tial building

5. □ Outside

6. [ ] In a building under construction

7. 0 Other lo catio n : (Describe)___________________________

N. Were the stairs enclosed by walls? (Check one.)

1. Q Yes— on both sides

2. 0 Yes— on one side

3. 0 N o— open on both sides

4. 0 Other: (Describe)____________________

----- \

Open Nosing 

---- *

i___________ YZ2)

Closed I

Nosing

Depth

O. How wide were the stairs (see picture)? (Check one.)

1. 0 Less than 2 feet

2. 0 2 to 4 feet

3. 0 5 to 8 feet

4. 0 More than 8 feet

P. How high was each step (see picture)? (Check one.)

1. 0 Less than 7 inches

2. 0 7 to 8 inches

3. 0 More than 8 inches

4. 0 D o n 't know

Q. How deep were the treads (see picture)? (Check one.)

1. 0 Less th an 10 inches

2. 0 10 to 12 inches

3. 0 More than 12 inches

4. 0 Spiral stairs—d e p th varies

5. 0 D o n 't know

R. Are your responses to O, P and Q estimates or did you measure the

steps? (Check one.)

1. O E stim ates

2. 0 Measurements

S. Were the backs of the steps open (see picture)?

1. 0 N o — closed

2. 0 Yes— open

T. Did the stairs have nosing (see picture)? (Check one.)

1. 0 Yes— how deep was the nosing:

1. 0 A b o u t 1 inch

2. 0 M ore than 1 inch

3. 0 D o n 't know

2. 0 No

3. 0 D o n 't know

|

U. What was the surface of the steps? (Check one.)

1. 0 Carpet

2. 0 Runner

3. 0 Concrete, stone, brick or marble

4. 0 Metal or metal grate

5. 0 W ood

6. O Tile

7. 0 O ther: (Describe)______________________________________

8. 0 D o n 't know

V. Did the steps have any slip-resistant features? (Check ell that apply.)

1. 0 Nonslip mats

2. 0 Nonskid strips

3. 0 Slip -resistan t p ain t

4. 0 Roughened surface

5. 0 O ther: (Describe)________________________________________________

6. 0 None

7. 0 D o n 't know

W. What were your injuries? (Check all that apply.)

1. 0 Fractu re(s) — Indica te bone(s) b roken

(leg, rib, ankle, e tc .)______________________________________________

2. 0 Cuts, lacerations or punctures

3. 0 Bruises, contusions

4. 0 M u scle sprain/strain , to rn ligam ents

5. 0 Brain concussion

6. 0 O the r: (Describe)______________________________________

X. How many workdays did you (or do you expect to) lose due’to your

injury? (NOTE: Do not count the day of injury, days on light duty

work, normal days off or holidays.)

_______________ W o rkd a y s I_____I____ l____ I____ I

C h e ck h e r e _____If y o u d id n o t lose tim e b e y o n d the day o f

in jury.

Y. Did your injury require you to be hospitalized overnight?

1. 0 N o

2. 0 Yes

If yes, h o w lon g w ere you (or d o y o u e x p e c t to be) In the 

ho spital? |

________________ N ig h ts I_____I____ I------1

Z. How many people are currently employed in your company?

(Check one.)

1. 0 1 to 10 4. O 100 to 499

2. 0 11 to 49 5. 0 500 o r m o re

3. 0 50 to 99

Briefly describe how your accident occurred and how it could have been prevented. (For example, indicate if elevators or escalators were available.)
Work Injury Reports

Reports which may be purchased from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Services 

(NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161:

• Survey of Ladder Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 207985 (1978)

• Survey of Welding and Cutting Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 208017 (1978)

• Survey of Scaffold Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 208009 (1978)

• Survey of Power Saw Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 207993 (1978)

Reports available from the Office of Occupational Safety and Health Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 

4014, 601 D Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20212 or regional offices:

• Accidents Involving Eye Injuries

Report 597 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Face Injuries

Report 604 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Head Injuries

Report 605 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Foot Injuries

Report 626(1981)

Reports which may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 

Washington, D.C. 20402:

• Injuries Related to Servicing Equipment

Bulletin 2115 (1981)

• Back Injuries Associated with Lifting

Bulletin 2144 (1982)

• Work-Related Hand Injuries and Upper Extremity Amputations

Bulletin 2160 (1982)

• Injuries in Oil and Gas Drilling and Services

Bulletin 2179 (1983)

• Injuries Resulting From Falls From Elevations

Bulletin 2195 (1984)

• Injuries in the Logging Industry

Bulletin 2203 (1984)

19
BLS Handbook of Methods

1982 Edition

BLS statistics are used for many 

purposes, and sometimes data 

well suited to one purpose may 

have limitations for another. This 

Handbook aims to provide users 

of BLS data with the information 

necessary to evaluate the 

suitability of the statistics for their 

needs. Included are program

Volume I

• Labor force, employment, and 

unemployment

• Occupational employment 

statistics

• Consumer expenditures and 

income

• Producer Price Indexes

• International Price Indexes

• Negotiated wage and benefit 

changes

• Employment Cost Index

• Productivity measures

• Occupational safety and health 

statistics

• Economic growth studies

Volume II

descriptions for: • Occupational pay and benefits • Consumer Price Index

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