While slips, trips, and falls can seem like minor incidents, they can lead to serious and life-changing injuries. Most of these
incidents are caused by poor housekeeping, unsafe walking surfaces, or distractions. To reduce the risk of a slip, trip, or fall, focus on the following:
- Keep work areas clean: Pick up scraps, tools, and trash throughout the day
- Watch where you’re walking: Use designated paths, hold handrails, and report any hazards that you cannot immediately correct.
- Keep paths clear: Don’t store materials in walkways, stairwells, or in front of exits, emergency equipment, or electrical panels.
- Be mindful about where you park: Do not block driving/traffic lanes, crosswalks, or walking paths, even temporarily.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Ensure work boots/shoes have proper traction and are worn correctly. Replace boots/shoes when their protective function is impaired.
- Fill out a safety observation card (SOC): Use the SOC app to provide positive feedback on worksite conditions or behaviors, report a hazard you already fixed, or as an additional reporting step (tell your supervisor or facility manager immediately).
Remain focused on the task at hand because distractions cause us to make mistakes even in the absence of hazards. Focus on what you’re doing and work safely, every task, every activity, every time.
