January 2025
 |
Inside the January Issue |
Preventing Slips, Trips,
and Falls in the Workplace
Steps You Can Take to Minimize Risk
Falls from heights and same-level falls can happen anywhere,
anytime. Every year falls lead to a significant number
of worker injuries and deaths, particularly in construction.
Slips, trips and falls are some of the leading injuries that
cause workers to miss time at work. You can help prevent
slips, trips and falls. Preventing these injuries is a critical
goal for every safe and healthy workplace.
Active employee participation is necessary in order to prevent
any hazardous conditions that could result in slips, trips
or falls. Taking personal responsibility for your own actions
and proactively participating in creating a safe environment
– before a problem occurs – can help reduce the possibility
of slips, trips and falls.
Difference between Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips are a loss of balance cause by too little friction between
your feet and the surface you walk or work on and can
be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice
or snow. Loss of traction is the leading cause of workplace
slips.
Trips happen when your foot hits an object or steps down
to a lower, uneven surface. These injury types are more likely
to happen when you are in a hurry and don’t pay attention to
where you’re going.
Falls occur whenever you move too far off your center of
balance. Falls account for the most workplace fatalities than
any other reason and commonly occur for those working at
heights. Consider the following common slip, trip and fall
hazards in your workplace:
• slippery surfaces (for example, oily or greasy surfaces);
• seasonal slip, trip and fall hazards (for example, snow and ice);
• spills of wet or dry substances;
• changes in walkway levels and slopes;
• unsecured mats;
• unsafe use of ladders;
• poor lighting;
• falls from beds of trucks, trailers or loads;
• debris and cables in walkways;
• smoke, steam or dust obscuring view;
• lack of guardrails on mezzanines and balconies;
• unsuitable footwear;
• poorly maintained equipment (for example, ladders, fall arrest,
etc.).
Consider the following when establishing safe work
practices for your workplace:
• characteristics of physical work area;
• weather conditions (for example, snow, ice, rain, etc.);
• tasks performed;
• workers’ work practices. Full story »
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