Slip, trip and fall accidents are a significant factor in driver injuries. These accidents most often occur when a driver is involved in one of three activities: getting onto and exiting a vehicle, handling freight, and walking and climbing around a terminal or customer’s place of business.

The biggest causes for driver injuries due to slips, trips and falls from equipment is drivers taking for granted the three-point system while getting into or out of a vehicle cab, connecting or disconnecting air and electrical lines, or mounting or dismounting truck bodies and trailers. The three-point rule is a simple maneuver in which a driver keeps three of his four limbs in contact with the vehicle at all times — two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand, so only one limb is in motion at any one time.

Safety professionals offer these suggestions for drivers for greater safety when getting on and off equipment:

•  Always use the three-point system, stay focused on the task and take your time.  

•  Avoid carrying items while entering or exiting.

•  Before stepping out or off, look for obstacles on the ground below.

•  Do not use fuel tanks, tires or wheel ends as a step. Such rounded surfaces can be slippery.

•  Get on and off a vehicle facing it and have a good hand-hold.  

•  Never jump out of a cab, off a vehicle or from deck plates or steps, as a driver could land off balance or on an uneven surface.

Research has shown that a person jumping or falling from a height of 4 feet will hit the ground with a force of between seven and 12 times their body weight. A 200-pound driver, by way of example, would hit the ground with a force of 1,400 to 2,400 pounds. Here are some tips:

•  Use extra caution in adverse conditions such as snow, ice, rain, mud and even morning dew, all of which can increase the potential for slips and falls by making grabhandles, steps and surfaces slippery.

•  Wear sturdy footwear with slip-resistant soles and heels.

•  Keep such things as tools, gloves, brushes and fire extinguishers in their proper place and out of the path of entry/exit.

•  Check the condition of grabhandles and steps during the vehicle pre-trip safety inspection and make any necessary repairs.

Drivers who load or unload freight are exposed to slip, trip and fall accidents, as well as back sprains and strains. Preventive measures, say safety professionals, include:

•  Observe walking surfaces, look for any holes, raised elevations, slippery or slick surfaces.

•  When working on slick or slippery surfaces, take smaller steps and go slowly.

•  Be aware that moving from light to dark areas, or vice versa, can cause temporary vision problems that might be enough to cause a driver to slip or trip.

•  When using a hand truck, cart or pallet jack, avoid pulling when possible. Pushing takes less effort, and pulling often causes the devices to run into the shins or ankles.

•  Inside bodies and trailers, be alert for loose material on the floor, such as broken pieces of pallets, discarded shrinkwrap and cargo bars.

Loading docks and ramps are dangerous areas, as they are frequently congested, heavy-traffic areas. Here are some tips for staying safe around them:

•  Be conscious of uneven surfaces between the truck bed and the dock or ramp.

•  Use the stairs and ladders that are provided to get onto or off of a loading dock. Whenever possible, use the handrails for additional support. Do not climb or jump onto or down from a loading dock.

•  Ensure that dock plates are properly placed. Be careful on those that are worn smooth or may be slippery.

•  Be cautious on and around dock plates. Falls often happen from dock edges due to unsecured dock plates.

•  Be on the lookout for loose material on the dock that may present trip hazards.

•  When walking along a loading dock or through a warehouse, keep an eye out for powered material handling equipment moving about.

•  Do not “hitch” a ride on any type of powered material handling equipment or distract the operators.

•  Do not operate powered material handling equipment or other industrial trucks unless licensed to do so. This is an OSHA requirement.

•  Secure trailers and trucks to loading docks using wheel chocks or other vehicle-restrain- ing devices when loading and unloading.

•  Be careful walking between trailers to set and remove vehicle-restraining devices. Other vehicles may be pulling in and out, and there  may be hazards like potholes and debris.

•  Always check to make sure your truck is finished being loaded/unloaded, and that vehicle-restraining devices have been removed before pulling out.

Encourage all your drivers to report any delivery and loading site trip, slip and fall haz ard conditions they are exposed to. Along with a reduction in injuries and improvements to productivity and financial performance, the benefits of a safer workplace include lower workers’ compensation costs and medical expenses, avoiding OSHA penalties, and reduced costs to train replacement employees and conduct accident investigations.