Reducing Slip, Trip, and Fall Risks in Schools
Very soon faculty, staff, and students will be returning to schools across the country as they prepare for another year of learning. Schools are busy environments where students, employees, and visitors are constantly on the move. And, while much attention is focused on student safety, the leading causes of workplace injuries for school employees continue to be slips, trips, and falls. These incidents can result in sprains, fractures, lost work time, and costly workers' compensation claims. Identifying and reducing these risks can help everyone have a safe and productive school year.
Walking Surfaces
Maintaining safe walking surfaces is one of the most effective ways to reduce slip, trip, and fall risks. Entryways, hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, and other common areas should be inspected regularly for wet floors, damaged flooring, loose mats, and clutter. A response system should be in place to remedy such adverse findings.
Good housekeeping practices are equally important. During school visits, MEMIC consultants commonly observe boxes, backpacks, electrical cords, doorstops, and equipment left in hallways and walkways. While these hazards may seem minor, they frequently contribute to employee injuries. Staff should be encouraged to immediately report these hazards and correct unsafe conditions when possible. Custodial teams should respond quickly to spills and place warning signs around wet areas until surfaces are completely dry.
Winter Challenges
Winter weather presents additional challenges and while it may seem like a long way off, planning now is essential to preventing injuries. One recurring issue identified during winter inspections is the inconsistent treatment of secondary entrances. While the main entrances are often well maintained, staff entrances and loading areas may receive less attention and create unexpected hazards.
Schools should have proactive snow and ice management procedures in place, including timely snow removal, application of sand or de-icing materials, and regular monitoring of walkways and parking areas. Facilities staff should inspect walkways before the start of each school day and before dismissal to correct hazards before employees and students arrive or depart.
Maintaining an adequate supply of sand, salt and appropriate equipment at primary entrances ensures ready availability. Tools such as walk-behind spreaders can improve efficiency by providing more consistent coverage, reducing the time needed to treat sidewalks and parking lots, and helping prevent over-application of materials.
Traction devices can be helpful for employees who routinely work outdoors, including facilities and custodial staff responsible for snow removal, trash disposal, or ground maintenance, as well as faculty assigned to bus or recess duty. For faculty and staff who frequently move between indoor and outdoor environments, MEMIC encourages the use of midsole ice cleats. These traction enhancers provide excellent grip on icy surfaces while eliminating the need for repeated removal when transitioning between buildings. Policies should clearly communicate expectations regarding the use of such devices.
Ladders
Another common source of injury in schools involves falls from elevated surfaces. Employees are often injured while attempting to gain height by standing on chairs, desks, shelving, stools, or other unstable furniture. To reduce this risk, step ladders should be easily accessible, rated for commercial use, and have an adequate weight capacity. Employees should be trained on proper ladder use, and policies should prohibit standing on furniture for work tasks.
A few simple rules can significantly improve step ladder safety:
- Select the right ladder for the task.
- Inspect the ladder before each use.
- Maintain three points of contact.
- Never stand on the top two steps.
Behavior
Employee behavior plays a critical role in preventing slip, trip, and fall injuries. Staff should wear appropriate footwear with slip-resistant soles, particularly during wet or icy conditions, and maintain awareness for changing conditions.
Employees carrying materials and objects should keep a clear line of sight and use dollies, carts or request assistance when transporting heavy or bulky items. Using handrails on stairways and avoiding rushing between tasks can further reduce the likelihood of injury.
Awareness
School administrators strengthen prevention efforts through routine inspections, employee training, and hazard reporting programs. Maintaining awareness of slip, trip, and fall hazards throughout the year is equally important. Displaying seasonal safety posters, sharing safety messages through digital signage, incorporating safety topics into newsletters, or discussing safety during staff meetings are all effective ways to keep safety top of mind.
Most slip, trip, and fall injuries are preventable. A well-maintained facility, prompt attention to hazards, appropriate footwear, and employee awareness can go a long way toward reducing injuries. As schools prepare for another busy academic year, now is the ideal time to evaluate walking surfaces, review winter weather plans, and reinforce safe work practices before the first bell rings.
Policyholders have access to inspection checklists, awareness posters, training resources, program templates, and more on the MEMIC Safety Director.
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