Winter Safety: Slips, Trips, and Falls
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Safety Council, the top three nonfatal workplace injury categories are overexertion, falls and slips, and exposure to harmful substances. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff are available to provide guidance on ways to reduce these risks, including through ergonomics assessments and training programs. The chart below shows the top types of incidents at Colgate to date this year, with slips, trips, and falls as our most common injury category.
- Slip, trip, and fall hazards can exist year-round, but snow and ice contribute to those risks on campus in the winter months. Here are some tips for avoiding injuries from falls when there are icy conditions:
- Take your time when walking. You may need to walk slower and take smaller steps than usual. Avoid rushing or taking shortcuts over snowy or icy areas.
- Wear suitable footwear (non-heeled shoes with rubber soles and good traction).
- Use handrails where they’re available.
- Keep both hands free for balance, rather than in your pockets. Carry less or use a bag or backpack to keep your hands free.
- Put your phone away and focus on your surroundings.
- Be careful getting into and out of vehicles. Hold onto any supports. Step down, not out, from curbs and cars.
- Use the floor mats when entering a building to remove moisture from the soles of your shoes; this will protect you and others from wet or slippery surfaces.
- Monitor the weather; cycles of freezing, melting, and refreezing are especially dangerous.
If you have questions or concerns for EHS or for Colgate’s safety committees, please contact committee chair Mary Williams, director of environmental health and safety, at mwilliams@colgate.edu.
Best wishes for a healthy and safe holiday season!