How to Prevent Slips and Falls While Working Outdoors

Every year thousands of people are injured while working outdoors and many of those injuries are caused by slips and falls. These type’s of injuries can include: fractured ankles, broken toes, dislocated hips and knees, cuts and abrasions, fractured leg bones, and torn muscles and ligaments.

You can prevent slips and falls while working outdoors when you take the appropriate precautions during sloppy, wintertime weather. Here are some tips for you to remember.

1. Take your time! Never run across wet, muddy or slick surfaces. You want to walk and take your time. Rushing around to get from point A to point B is not worth risking a serious injury to your body. Move slowly, steadily and watch where you’re stepping.

2. Wear proper footwear. When it’s icy, wet, muddy and snowy outside you need to wear appropriate footwear. We recommend picking up a pair of ice cleats for work boots or shoes to help you get the traction that you need. In addition, don’t wear high-heel shoes, sneakers, sandals or footwear that doesn’t have appropriate tread.

3. Pre-Treat Surfaces. If you know that a storm is approaching, get ahead of it by pre-treating your sidewalks, driveway and work areas with de-icing and ice prevention products. You can find various liquids, chemicals and salt products out in the retail marketplace that are used for pre-treating outdoor surfaces.

4. Clean-up Surfaces. When possible, you’ll want to remove snow, ice and mud from surfaces as soon as possible. It’s easier to walk and work on surfaces that have been properly cleaned after a storm moves through. If you can’t clean up these surfaces yourself, hire someone to do it for you.

5. Outdoor Temperatures. It’s typically warmer outside as the day goes on. Delay your outdoor activities until the afternoon hours. Sunshine and warmer temperatures can help melt ice and snow, and dry up muddy and wet areas.

6. Handrails. When walking around outside during wintry weather, utilize handrails as much as possible. They can help keep you steady and balanced. They are there for a reason, so use them!

When it comes to falling, there is a right and wrong way to do it. If you find that you’re falling forward, go with it. If you find that you’re falling backwards, try to land on your bottom. Don’t try bracing yourself with your arms or hands. In addition, you always want to try to protect your head. Any and all injuries should be checked out by a licensed physician within hours after a fall.