National Safety Month is an ideal time for safety managers to address one of the most common causes of workplace injuries: slips, trips, and falls.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips accounted for 26% of all non-fatal injuries resulting in days away from work in 2024. With an injury rate of 22.6 per 10,000 workers, that makes falls, slips, and trips the third most common workplace injury type, narrowly behind contact incidents and overexertion injuries. While warning signs and hazard controls are important components of a safety program, preventing falls with simple steps that address both workplace conditions and employee readiness are essential as well.
Safety leaders can lead the charge in company culture, actively reducing risk before injuries occur. By incorporating elements like balance training, wellness initiatives, and employee education into existing safety programs, organizations can take meaningful steps toward preventing falls.
Many fall prevention efforts focus on environmental hazards such as housekeeping, footwear policies, or ladder safety. While these remain essential, safety managers should also consider factors that affect an employee's ability to maintain balance and move safely throughout the workday.
Balance is often overlooked as a workplace safety topic, yet employees rely on it constantly. Whether walking across a manufacturing floor, climbing stairs, stepping on and off equipment, or working at elevation, balance plays a critical role in preventing falls.
Safety managers can incorporate balance-focused activities into existing wellness or injury prevention initiatives by:
Even a few minutes of balance-focused movement before a shift can help reinforce safe movement habits.
Fatigue is a significant but often underrecognized workplace risk factor. The CDC recommends that adults receive at least seven hours of sleep per night, and research consistently shows that injury rates increase among employees who regularly receive insufficient sleep.
While safety managers cannot (and should not!) actively monitor employee sleep schedules, there are steps that can be taken to promote better sleep for employees. Employees should be aware of wellness programs that offer sleep aids or education. Additionally, ensuring that there is no excessive overtime and that schedules are consistent can help employees maintain a healthy balance in their rest.
Employers can provide education and create workplace practices that reduce fatigue-related risks to address employee health.
Physical conditioning, mobility, and flexibility all contribute to safer movement patterns. Employees who maintain better mobility and strength are often better equipped to recover from slips, trips, or unexpected changes in footing.
Example programs may look like:
The added benefits often extend beyond fall prevention, contributing to improved comfort, reduced discomfort complaints, and greater employee engagement.
Many organizations utilize brief warm-up routines before shifts begin. These exercises can be incorporated into existing safety and wellness programs to help improve balance, coordination, and lower-body strength.
Balance training may appear simple, but its impact can be significant.
Employees rely on balance throughout their workday when:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 479,000 days away from work (DAFW) cases from 2023-2024 attributed to slips, trips, or falls. While not every fall can be prevented through exercise alone, improving employee readiness and movement quality can be an important component of a comprehensive prevention strategy.
Safety managers should view balance and wellness initiatives as one component of a broader fall prevention strategy. The most successful programs integrate multiple prevention strategies rather than relying on a single solution. By building a foundation of strong pillars, you are also creating multiple layers of safety nets to catch employees if they ever “trip up”.
Examine the safety program you have in place and see if they are missing any of the following elements. A comprehensive safety program is essential for the long-term reduction of injuries and risk.
An effective program may include:
Fall prevention and musculoskeletal health are closely connected. Employees who possess adequate strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance are often better prepared to perform their job tasks safely.
National Safety Month provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate current fall prevention efforts and identify opportunities for improvement. By combining traditional safety controls with balance training, fatigue management, and wellness initiatives, safety managers can build a more comprehensive strategy for reducing workplace falls and creating a safer work environment.
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2016/article/injuries-from-falls-to-lower-levels-2013.htm
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