Slips and Falls Safety

26% of reported trucking injuries are related to falls around the truck^*.

Accidents happen, and avoiding them can be challenging for workers in high hazard industries. At AMERISAFE, we put safety first with proactive prevention methods geared towards accidents in the industries we write. With proper knowledge of the risks and guided by best practices, even the most hazardous conditions can be made safer.

Some of the most common work-related activities can put workers at risk for injury. While falls and slips are regularly a cause of claims, they are often avoidable using simple preventative measures.

Prevention and Protection for Falls or Slips:

• Keep an eye on weather conditions. Slips can easily occur when the ground is wet or icy. Slippery and slick surfaces can be dangerous both while driving and when exiting the vehicle.
• Items on the ground can be hazardous. Watch for trash and other debris on the ground. Even small items can cause someone to slip and fall.
• Each year, hundreds of drivers are injured from falls while tarping loads. Take your time and avoid standing on the load while tarping. Wear ankle support work boots with slip-resistant soles, use a ladder and consider investing in the best tarp for your needs.
• Especially when in a new place, be alert of water, grease, oil and other substances that can cause you to lose your footing and fall.
• Whether you are tarping a load or unloading your truck, ask for help instead of struggling with something too heavy or bulky.
• When using a ladder, place it on a firm surface. Keep the ladder's base one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height. Never climb a ladder placed on other objects, and don’t overreach. Losing balance or climbing with your hands full can result in an injury.

For employers in the trucking industry: Share these preventative practices at a safety meeting, print the flier to hang in the office, or email your workers to remind them to stay Safe Above All.

*According to injury statistics from AMERISAFE's claim counts from 2014 - 2019