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B.C.’s AgSafe calls attention to slips, trips and falls in the workplace

Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of injury in agricultural workplaces. To address them, AgSafe has released a new series of safety awareness videos and a workplace knowledge quiz.

The videos are an introductory piece that illustrates some of the slipping, tripping and falling hazards common on farms, ranches, nurseries, and in greenhouses and workshops.

The knowledge quiz is intended to get producers and employees thinking about slip, trip, fall hazards in their own workplace. The quiz provides feedback on answers, right or wrong, that is intended to educate about common causes, controls and safety protocols to mitigate injury.

“The quiz takes five minutes and can serve as a discussion starter and as a safety evaluation tool for employers, site managers, and workers. We encourage employers and employees to continually refresh their knowledge so as not to become complacent. Everyone wants to go home safely at the end of each and every workday, don’t let a slip, trip or fall, take you down. Stand up for safety in your workplace,” says Reg Steward, AgSafe provincial ranch safety consultant.

The number of injuries resulting from slipping, tripping and falling generally increases between autumn and spring, peaking during winter. Changes in weather and temperatures cause surface conditions to become wet, slippery or cracked increasing the risk of slipping or tripping.

Eliminating the hazard is always best, but not always possible. Employers and workers are reminded to regularly inspect surfaces and terrain, and to pay attention to other changes in the workplace that may create a safety hazard.

Visit AgSafe’s website for Slips, Trips, Falls Resources to learn more about slipping, tripping and falling hazards in the workplace. Materials were produced in partnership with Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) and the Government of Canada.

AgSafe is the non-profit health and safety association for agricultural producers in British Columbia providing site-specific consultation and on-site safety education, as well as online workplace safety resources and materials. AgSafe is also the COR Certifying Partner for B.C.’s agricultural and associated industries and offers a Certificate of Recognition (COR) program for large and small employers.