Slips, Trips and Falls - Prevention (DST-11)

General: A major cause of on-the-job injuries in the trucking industry is slips and falls from a tractor or trailer.  These injuries can result in twisted ankles, bruised shins, or worse.  You can prevent this from happening altogether by following the proper technique for entering and exiting a truck and/or trailer.  Let’s review some helpful hints to preclude being injured by a slip, trip or fall.

Causes of slips, trips,  and falls:

• Friction:  Friction is the resistance between two objects, such as the resistance between your footwear and the surface you are walking on.  Friction is necessary to maintain grip on a walking surface.  If your footwear cannot grip the walking surface because the surface is wet or icy, you may lose your grip and fall.
• Momentum:  Momentum relates to the speed and size of a moving object. When you encounter an object in your walking path and are thrown off balance, your momentum will cause you to slip.
• Gravity:  Gravity is the force that pulls you to the ground when you fall.  A fall is likely if your center of balance shifts too far from your natural center of balance and can not be restored.
  

 Let’s take a couple of moments to review slips, trips, and fall in more detail:

• Slips

1. Slips occur when there is a loss of traction between your footwear and the walking surface.
   
2. Proper footwear can help prevent slips.  Make sure the footwear’s soles or treads have not worn smooth.
   
3. Drivers should always be aware of your surroundings as slips are more likely to occur when you are not paying attention to the area around you.
   

• Trips

1. Trips occur when your foot hits an object and your are thrown off balance.
   
2. Trips often happen when there are obstacles in your walking path, in poorly lighted areas, and in places where your footing may not be stable.
   
3. To avoid trips, be aware of your surrounding, watch where you are going.  If  you are carrying a load, be sure you can see over it.  Finally pickup any debris that may be in your way.
   

• Falls

1. Falls are the result of losing your footing and center of balance.  Contrary to what many people believe, most falls occur on walking surfaces that are at ground level.
   
2. To avoid falls, be aware of your footing.  Make sure the surface you are stepping on is safe, solid, and is not slippery.
   

Some tips when working around loading docks!

• Caution should be used around loading docks.  About one in four industrial accidents occur on or around a loading dock.
• Slips, trips, and falls can all occur on a loading dock.  Watch for snow, ice, oil, and grease on ramps, stairs and aisles.  Be alert for obstacles and debris.
• Be careful in elevated areas, including on platforms and uneven surfaces. Always use handrails and grips; never run up or down stairs; never carry items that you can’t see over.
• Be especially alert if the lighting is poor.

Now for some tips on how to avoid slips, trips, and falls:

• Always use the three-point contact rule.
  
• Do not enter/exit too fast.
  
• Be aware of existing weather conditions.
  
• Make sure tread on footwear is adequate.
  
• Make sure steps are maintained and clean.
  
• Apply tread material to steps.
  
• Face the inside of the truck when entering and exiting the cab.
  

Summary: The worst thing that a driver can do is to get into a bad habit especially when it involves something you do many times a day.  Sooner or later, the law of gravity will catch up to you…and it hurts!  It is important to always follow the proper techniques to help prevent slips, trips, and falls from happening. The three-point method of having a least three limbs in contact with the tractor at all times will prevent the majority of slips and falls from a tractor.