Driver Safety: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

By Senior Loss Control Specialist Jonathan Lee

Slips, trips and falls remain one of the leading causes of injury for drivers. A variety of factors contribute to these incidents, including poorly maintained walking surfaces at customer locations and truck stops, improper footwear, lack of steps and grab handles on vehicles, poor lighting and hazardous outdoor weather conditions.

What can you do?

Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, these five prevention measures will help reduce the likelihood of a slip, trip or fall:

1. Wear comfortable footwear that has suitable, slip-resistant tread.
   • WorkSafe Tip: Wear ice cleats for additional traction in winter weather.
2. Notify vehicle maintenance personnel of damaged or missing steps or grab handles.
3. Keep your hands free when climbing in or out of the vehicle so you can maintain three points of contact.
   • WorkSafe Tip: Use a bag/backpack to carry items or place items inside the vehicle before climbing in or out.
4. Carry a flashlight/headlamp with you in case there is poor lighting at a customer’s facility.
5. Look out for potholes, cracked concrete, broken steps, snow-covered/icy walkways and other slip, trip and fall hazards at company and customer facilities. Report any observed hazards to ensure they are corrected.