Second only to motor vehicle accidents, slips, trips, and falls are the most frequent accidents leading to personal injury. Various hazards can cause slips, trips, and falls while on a project site. To avoid this, it is important to recognize the hazards to keep you and others safe.

Following are some tips to help you create a safer working environment when working on the ground level versus working at height.

Ground level

When working on the ground level, check for these potential hazards:

• Debris or equipment in your walking path
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Weather hazards like rain, ice, snow, and frost
• Drop offs or pits
• Eye level or overhead material in your work area and/or walking path

Working at height

Working at height refers to any work where a person could potentially fall and injure themselves. Typically, when working at height you will have task specific training and personal protective equipment. To help mitigate the risk of working at height, keep the following in mind:

• Know when and what type of fall protection is required and use it properly.
• Inspect your safety gear and machinery to ensure it is functioning correctly.
• Understand your potential fall distance and confirm your fall protection equipment deploys accurately and appropriately.
• Cordon off the ground below you in case debris falls from your position.

Slips, trips, and falls are hazards that can easily be mitigated by following your site’s safety protocol. Being extra vigilant, whether on the ground or in the air, will help give you an extra layer of safety and peace of mind.