Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common injuries in public works. Crews move between uneven surfaces, climb in and out of equipment, work in wet or icy conditions, and carry tools or materials across busy work areas. These incidents can cause sprains, fractures, back injuries, or even long term disabilities. This guide helps supervisors teach practical steps to identify hazards and prevent slip, trip, and fall incidents.
By the end of this training, workers should be able to:
• Recognize common slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Understand how weather, lighting, footwear, and housekeeping affect risk.
• Use safe walking and climbing techniques in the field and shop.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas.
• Report hazards promptly and take action to correct them.
• Examples of slip resistant footwear
• Wet floor sign or cones
• Broom or shop tools for housekeeping demonstration
• Photos or examples of hazards such as cluttered walkways or uneven surfaces
• PPE required for outdoor or field demonstration
"Good morning everyone. Today we are talking about slips, trips, and falls, which are some of the most common injuries we see in public works. These incidents often happen because someone was rushing, distracted, or working in a poor environment. With good housekeeping, proper footwear, and attention to our surroundings, most of these injuries can be prevented. Let us look at the hazards and the steps we can take to stay on our feet."
• Wet or icy pavement
• Mud, snow, or leaves on boots
• Poor lighting
• Uneven ground, potholes, or broken pavement
• Cluttered shop floors or storage areas
• Tools, cords, or hoses in walkways
• Slippery truck steps or platforms
• Carrying loads that block vision
• Rushing or not using designated walkways
Wear footwear with slip resistant soles suitable for shop and field conditions.
Slow down and take smaller steps on wet, icy, or uneven surfaces.
Use three points of contact when entering or exiting equipment and trucks.
Report and clean up spills promptly. Place signs or cones as needed.
Keep walkways clear of hoses, cords, tools, and debris.
Maintain good lighting in shops, garages, and stairways. Replace burned out bulbs promptly.
Use salt, sand, or traction material on icy walkways.
Step over obstacles. Do not walk around while looking at your phone or paperwork.
Inspect ladders, platforms, and steps before use.
Avoid carrying loads that block your view. Use carts or get help with heavy or bulky items.
When working outdoors, scan the walking path ahead for dips, rocks, roots, and soft spots.
• Show the difference between worn out footwear and proper slip resistant footwear.
• Demonstrate safe entry and exit from equipment using three points of contact.
• Show examples of tripping hazards and how to correct them.
• Demonstrate applying salt or traction material on an icy walkway.
• Walk through a cluttered area and show how housekeeping improves safety.
• Have the crew identify slip or trip hazards in the shop or yard.
• Ask volunteers to demonstrate three point contact on a truck or loader.
• Give small groups photos of work areas and ask them to point out hazards and solutions.
• Have workers practice proper lifting and carrying while maintaining clear vision.
• What slip or trip hazards have you encountered recently?
• How do changing weather conditions affect our daily work?
• Why is housekeeping so important for safety?
• What actions can we take immediately when we spot a hazard?
• How does footwear impact slip resistance?
Insert your agency’s housekeeping rules, footwear policies, inspection checklists, incident reporting procedures, and any seasonal requirements for winter operations.
• Slip resistant work boots
• Safety glasses in shop and field areas
• High visibility vest when working around equipment or traffic
• Gloves when handling tools or materials
• Weather appropriate clothing for outdoor conditions
• Most slips, trips, and falls are preventable.
• Good footwear, proper lighting, and housekeeping reduce risk.
• Use three point contact when climbing in or out of equipment.
• Clean up hazards promptly and report issues.
• Stay aware of your footing, especially in winter or uneven terrain.
What is the best way to prevent slips on icy pavement?
a. Walk faster
b. Use salt or traction material
c. Avoid using designated walkways
True or False: It is acceptable to carry a load that blocks your vision if the distance is short.
Describe three point contact when climbing in or out of equipment.
(Short answer)
Name one example of a tripping hazard that should be corrected immediately.
(Short answer)
Why is proper footwear important for slip prevention?
(Short answer)
See our article about slips, trips, and falls here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.