Please Watch Your Step: Steer Clear of Slips, Trips, and Falls
While the month of March may be viewed as lucky, we should not rely on luck when it comes to our safety and health. From toys left on the stairs, unsecured ladders, and loose cords, to slippery surfaces like mud, grease, or ice on equipment or in the field, the dangers of hidden hazards are all around us. While anxiously preparing for the spring planting season, many are ready to get out and about after the long winter months. However, it is important to not become complacent and lose our safety focus. Being mindful of your surroundings and being proactive in addressing potential hazards can aid in not only your safety, but the safety of others as well.
As the saying goes, “a spill or slip can lead to a hospital trip!” According to the National Safety Council, along with poisoning and motor vehicle incidents, falls rank as one of the three leading causes of preventable deaths. 2021 data suggests that falls accounted for more than 44,686 deaths in the home and workplace. The aftermath of slips, trips, and falls not only can leave someone with a serious injury and physical pain but can lead to days of missed work or school, lost wages, and medical bills. Both Brain Injury Awareness and National Ladder Safety Month are celebrated each March and share important reminders about the detrimental factors of slips, trips, and falls.
Slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of many of the injuries on farms. Weather hazards, rushing to complete daily tasks, poor housekeeping, bad traction, and slippery or uneven surfaces account for many incidents. Falls are almost always 100% preventable. Therefore, being cautious and following important safety measures can help you avoid them. Here are five safety tips to keep you on your feet and avoid missing a beat:
Assess potential dangers around the home, farm, or ranch. Stay off freshly mopped or wet floors. Be aware of weather conditions and invest in good footwear, like hard-toe shoes with slip-resistant treads.
Secure electrical cords by keeping them out of high traffic areas, arrange furniture or equipment to provide open walking pathways, and install adequate lighting both indoors and outdoors.
When it comes to stairways and walkways, install handrails, and keep the area clutter free by removing any potential tripping hazards such as shoes, toys, clothes, and boxes. If you have young children, install gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Be sure to unlatch the gate to pass through and don’t climb over them. Not only does climbing over them leave an opportunity for an incident, but it also models unsafe behavior to youngsters.
Avoid standing on a table, chair, or other surface with wheels to access something. When using a ladder, never lean or reach, ensure the ladder is on level ground, and have someone support the bottom. Never take chances with faulty, broken, or unsecured ladders and always use three-points of contacts when ascending and descending. Also, keep this in mind when climbing in and around trucks, tractors, combines, and other equipment.
Maintenance and upkeep are key. Always clean up spills immediately and take time to remove debris from exterior walkways and adjust gutter downspouts to drive water away from pathways.
Hidden hazards, including slips, trips, and falls, are just one of the topics communities can offer at their Progressive Agriculture Safety Day (PAF Safety Day). Last year, more than 11,000 children learned potentially lifesaving messages related to hidden hazards found around the home or on the farm.
The “Safety Day Corner” is a safety message by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® (PAF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with the mission to provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children and their communities. Recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, the Foundation’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program has reached more than two million participants since its inception in 1995. For more information about PAF and its programs, visit: www.progressiveag.org.