Every Step Counts: Reducing Slips, Trips & Falls on the Jobsite

By Adrian Karver, Regional Safety Manager

While we tend to think of slips, trips and falls as more of a winter hazard, they are actually a year-round concern in our industry.  Slips, trips, and falls are leading causes of lost-time injuries in landscaping.  Changing weather conditions, uneven terrain, and heavy equipment make outdoor jobsites highly hazardous. Let’s review steps each of us can take to keep ourselves, the public, and our teams safely on their feet.

Personal Protection & Footwear

• Wear slip-resistant boots: Use footwear with high-traction tread patterns optimized for mud, wet grass, and loose gravel.
• Clean your treads: Clear accumulated mud, clay, and wet grass from boot soles before stepping onto hard surfaces or equipment.
• Avoid loose apparel: Ensure pant legs are properly hemmed to reduce trip hazards.

 Jobsite Hazards & Housekeeping

• Check the area: Walk the site before starting work to locate hidden hazards like exposed roots, stumps, ruts, holes, and other trip hazards.
• Mark obstacles: Rope off, use cones or flags to clearly identify walking hazards for our employees and the public.
• Manage hoses and cords: Position watering hoses and extension cords away from primary walking paths.
• Clean up immediately: Wipe up fluid or oil spills from equipment right away to prevent slick spots on shop surfaces or in trailers.

 Equipment & Material Handling

• Use three points of contact: Maintain either two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands, when mounting or dismounting mowers, tractors, and truck beds.
• Look before you step: Check the ground below the equipment door or tailgate before stepping down.
• Maintain a clear line of sight: Carry large or bulky loads to the side, or use a wheelbarrow or cart, to keep the terrain ahead visible and reduce trip hazards.
• Check your tailgate ramps: Keep trailers organized and ensure ramps are clean and clear before moving equipment up or down.

 Weather & Terrain Adaptations

• Adjust your stride: Shorten your steps and use a controlled, steady walking motion when walking on wet grass, steep slopes, or mud to maintain balance.
• Adjust your schedule:  Avoid working on steep slopes and wet grass areas when possible – defer this work to a dryer part of the day or week.

With a just few adjustments in our work process, we can limit the risk of slips, trips and falls for ourselves, our teammates, and the general public.  Proper footwear, good housekeeping practices, having a clear path and field of view, and taking weather and site conditions into account can make the difference between a walk in the park or a trip to the doctor’s office.  Stay safe out there.