Letter: Fifteen months later – no change in library steps 

To the editor,

–Fifteen months after I fell backwards hitting the floor hard while ascending three steps near the library information desk the same unsafe conditions remain.

• Carpet pulled tight on the step tread and nose provides traction (The carpet isn’t tight enough for proper traction)
• The traction strips color should contrast with the carpet (The traction strips are faded)
• Aluminum oxide particles work best for traction strips (The strips appear to have silica sand particles)
• Carpet specifically for steps should be installed (The carpet on the steps is the same as the floor carpet)
• Carpet tightness, wear from age, wear from heavy use, traction strips grit should be checked frequently. (Public records I received didn’t show this)
• An incident report should be made at the time of a fall (In my case this wasn’t done)
• If an injury occurs, for the safety of library employees and members OSHA or a professional qualified in slips and fall prevention such as NFSI should be contacted to see what safety measures can prevent a like fall from happening again. (It appears this wasn’t done)

Near falls, falls without injury? Falls with injury? Safe conditions do prevent falls.

Paula Martin
Paso Robles

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