Slips, Trips, and Falls Safety Talk

Slips, Trips, and Falls Toolbox Talk

Construction sites are full of hazards, but most workers forget about slips, trips, and falls. It is reported that nearly 15% of all accidental deaths are from these types of incidents. These accidents are also extremely costly for employers and account for almost $11 billion in costs. As a worker on a construction site, there are several precautions you can take to prevent an injury from a slip, trip, or fall. Let’s look into these a little further.

Slip, trip & fall injury statistics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls caused by slips and trips were the second leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. The number one cause is motor vehicle accidents. Slips, trips, and falls continue to be a leading cause of emergency room visits for many workers.

Some common slip, trip, and fall injuries include:

• Broken bones

• Cuts

• Strains

• Sprains

• Back injury

• Traumatic brain injuries

Causes of slips, trips, and falls

Some common causes of slips, trips, and falls injuries include:

• Wet or oily surfaces

• Weather hazards including rain, snow, and ice

• Loose mats and rugs

• Walking surfaces that are not level

• Obstructed views

• Poor lighting

• Clutter

• Uncovered wires and cables

Preventing slips, trips, and falls

There are ways that you can help prevent slips, trips, and falls, and keep your worksite safer for you and your coworkers. One simple way is to practice good housekeeping by cleaning up as you go. Other ways include wearing slip-resistant shoes and being careful when walking on uneven or wet surfaces.

Good housekeeping tips

Good construction site housekeeping is an easy way to prevent most slips, trips, and falls, and is often overlooked. Simply cleaning up your work area as you go can help on the jobsite. Examples of good housekeeping include:

• Cleaning up spills immediately

• Marking areas that have spills and are wet until they are cleaned and dry

• Mopping or sweeping debris from walking surfaces

• Making sure walkways are free of clutter and obstacles

• Securing mats and rugs that are not laying flat

• Covering cables and wires that cross walkways

• Making sure that work areas and walkways are well lit

• Cleaning your area as you work and not leaving the mess for others to clean

• Checking for fall hazards daily and alerting your foreman if you see something

• Having a laydown yard for extra materials and keeping it picked up

• Salting sidewalks, parking lots, and other highly-traveled areas during winter (read more about preventing winter slips, trips, and falls)

Walking surfaces tips

Slips, trips, and falls can happen on any walking surface, but if that surface is uneven or made of materials that provide little traction, they can be even more dangerous. Ways you can improve walkways on your construction site include:

• Making sure there are mats or pressure-sensitive abrasive strips

• Asking for the flooring to be replaced or painted if you notice it creates a hazard

• Paying attention to where you are walking

If you notice a walking surface that is uneven or needs work, bring it to the attention of your foreman so they can correct the issue if it’s something you can’t do. Also, make your coworkers aware of the hazard to decrease the risk of someone else getting hurt.

Footwear

The footwear you chose to wear to a worksite has a huge impact on your safety. You should not wear tennis shoes on a worksite. Always wear work boots. Your work boots should fit properly and have treads to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. To reduce your risks:

• Wear work boots that fit snugly and that have slip-resistant soles

• Clean the treads of your shoes regularly

• Inspect the soles of your work boots and make sure they are intact and have proper treads

Walking

How you walk can have a big impact on your risk of slips, trips, and falls. When you are walking, there are ways to reduce these risks, including:

• Taking your time and not running

• Paying attention to where you are walking

• Using light sources like flashlights or installed light sources if your walkways are dark

• Making sure you are carrying materials or moving materials that you can see the walkways in front of you

• Always looking for spills when walking

Fall prevention from heights

A construction worker is more likely to get hurt by falling while pushing a wheelbarrow full of materials than they are while standing on scaffolding. However, it is still important to know how to prevent falls from heights above ground level. Some of these safety tips include:

• Always using fall protection for heights over 4 feet

• Using proper guarding for holes and windows

• Using guardrails when needed

• Using adequate fall protection such as a full-body harness with a retractable lanyard that is 100% tied off to an approved anchor point

• Making sure to use proper ladder safety techniques when climbing ladders

What to do if injured

If you are injured on the jobsite, you should report your injury to your foreman immediately. If you have a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention, call 911 or have a coworker call for you. If you see that a coworker has been injured, do your best to notify someone and get immediate medical attention for them. 

While some slips, trips, and falls may seem minor at first, it is always better to get fully checked out. Sprains and strains to your legs, ankles, and back are common with falls on a worksite. Broken bones are also common and need to be treated as soon as possible.

Do your part in preventing slips, trips & falls

Slips, trips, and falls are common safety hazards on construction jobsites, but they can be prevented with some safety measures. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and where you are walking. Also, if you see a hazard, let your coworkers and foremen know immediately. Working together to keep your worksite clean and hazard free is the best prevention. Should you have any questions about hazards on your jobsite or what to do, ask your foreman.