searchMobile
navigation

Winter Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention

Home > Step Wisely: Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention > Winter Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention

Step Wisely logo

Build awareness of winter slip, trip and fall hazards by using Step Wisely display materials and training employees.

Prevent Winter Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents During Slick Conditions

Slip, trip and fall accidents are particularly prevalent during Minnesota winters. Providing your employees and the public information to help them make safe behavior choices could save your organization significant costs, time and grief related to liability and workers’ compensation injuries. MCIT’s Step Wisely program helps make winter slip, trip and fall prevention efforts easy for its members.

Awareness Materials

The below materials help build awareness of winter slip, trip and fall prevention. Place these items in high-traffic areas around your facility to grab the attention of employees and the public. To keep the message fresh, use one topic for a few weeks then switch to another for a few weeks and so on. Learn more about Step Wisely and how to get the most out of the program …

Baby Blues of Winter

​

Young girl peaks out window from behind blinds with a scowl on her face looking at snow fall. Text: Yeesh! It's slip and fall season again. Yeesh! It’s Slip and Fall Season Again (weather awareness)
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen Image/E-mail*
Toddler boy in snow suit and winter boots on a shoveled sidewalk. Text: Nailed It! I took the cleared path and didn't fall once.

Nailed It! I Took the Cleared Path …
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen/E-mail*
Seriously, These Boots Are Made for Walking on Snow and Ice
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen/E-mail*
Toddler in snow suit and boots stands in front of a parked car in a snowy parking lot. Text: Remember to Step Wisely when getting into or out of a vehicle Create Your Own Caption (getting into and out of vehicle): This bonus poster gives members the chance to provide their own clever caption. Suggested use: Employee contest
Poster (11×17)

* To send jpeg images as an e-mail, simply download the jpeg file and paste into a new e-mail message.  More jpeg images are available on the E-mail Messages page.

Expand the sections below to see and download each theme’s materials.

P.A.W.S.: Pause, Assess and Walk Safely Theme

Step Wisely poster: PAWS: Pause, Assess and Walk Safely on stop sign with a polar bear noticing snow falling in background. Foreground text: Winter has come. Be Prepared for Changing Weather Conditions.

 

Winter Has Come (Be prepared for changing conditions)
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen Image/E-mail*
Animated Video

Illustration of arctic fox dressed in winter coat and boots getting out of parked car while holding onto the vehicle for safety. Text says: Grab a Hold of Vehicle When Entering or Exiting

Grab a Hold of Vehicle (When exiting or entering)
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen Image/E-mail*
Animated Video

Poster image of husky dressed in winter gear looking onto a cleared walkway with snow-covered one to the left. Text: Scout a Cleared Path when Walking on Snow or Ice

 

Scout a Cleared Path (When walking on snow or ice)
Poster (11×17)
Table Tent
Lock Screen Image/E-mail*
Animated Video

* To send jpeg images as an e-mail, simply download the jpeg file and paste into a new e-mail message.

Sports Theme

Spot the Hazard game showing people walking into a building and trying to avoid slip, trip and fall hazards.Spot the Hazard game: This fun game challenges employees to spot 12 slip, trip and fall hazards in a wacky image showing people trying to get safely to the government center.

Scree shot of animated video 1: Winter Safety All Star Championship: Get Out of a Vehicle:. Shows a woman stepping out of a car while holding onto the vehicle with both hands and placing one foot on the ground before fully standing up.Short animated videos: The series of four videos matches with the messages below. Use them in conjunction with the below display materials. Post them to the organization’s intranet or e-mail links to employees.

TV announcer pointing to drawing of person exiting a passenger vehicle, holding on to car with hands and firmly placing foot on the ground. Announcer word bubble: No. 23 achieved great control by holding onto the car with both hands while stepping on the ground." 3 Points of Contact
(exiting/entering vehicles)
Poster
Table Tent
Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
Man has fallen in snowbank next to a sidewalk. Referee blows whistle. TV announcer says, "Penalty for illegal route. No. 36 climbed over the snowbank. Safer route is to use the cleared path."

Illegal Route
(taking shortcuts)
Poster
Table Tent
Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
Person walks across snowy parking lot. TV announcers say, "Amazing execution of the shuffle step--perfect for the conditions," and "An excellent positioning of hands out for balance and eyes up to see." Amazing Shuffle Step
Poster
Table Tent
Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
Journalist interviews woman inside the entryway of a building, showing puddles on the floor: "What contributed to your successful entry today?" Woman answers, "I took it slow ll the way from the parking lot through the doorway. I never assume the floor is dry on a snowy day." Successful Entry
Poster
Table Tent
Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)

 

* To send jpeg images as an e-mail, simply download the jpeg file and paste into a new e-mail message. 

  • Request Materials: The above and others using different themes are available upon request (electronic files and printed materials). Complete the Step Wisely Order Form and return it to info@mcit.org to have materials provided to you at no cost.

  • E-mail Messages/Jpeg Images: Safety committees can get a great deal of mileage out of these ready-to-go e-mail messages. Simply download a message and paste it into an e-mail and send to employees once a week to support other slip, trip and fall hazard awareness and accident prevention efforts.

Increase Winter Slip and Fall Hazard Awareness with More Ready-to-send E-mails

Safety committees, department heads and supervisors can use the below ready-to-send e-mails to alert staff to various winter slip and fall hazards and ways to prevent injury.

Expand the sections below for directions on how to send an image in an e-mail and to see the additional messages.

Learn How to Send E-mails

  1. Click on the image below of the e-mail you want.
  2. Right click on the image, choose “save image as” and then choose a location on your computer or system for where to save the image file.
  3. Open a new e-mail message and insert the image into the body of the message.
  4. Enter attention-grabbing text in the subject line and send to your staff.

More Winter Slip and Fall Prevention E-mail Messages

Look ahead when walk; know where the snow and ice hazards are. Image of man walking in snow with his head up. Stay on cleared walkways as much as possible. Image of man with his head in a snowbank and feet in the air.
Image of shoe with attachable cleats. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Image of woman slipping next to her open car door. Hold on to your vehicle's door, roof or assist handle.
Image of snow-covered stairs with a handrail. Use handrails when walking on snow- or ice-covered steps. Image of car parked next to snow bank. Call ahead to find best place to park when working at an offsite location.
Image of woman slipping in a parking lot. Allow enough time to get to your destination. Man wearing backpack walking in the snow. Keep hands free for balance.
Man faced own in parking lot. Pay attention to changing weather conditions. Man slipping on puddle inside. Watch for slick spots on hard floors near entries.
Foot about to trip on curled rug edge. Watch for wrinkled rugs. Woman sprinkling salt on icy sidewalk.
Woman with one foot in and one foot out of a pothole. Watch for potholes and heaved pavement. Man losing balance in winter scene. Walk slowly and take small steps when walking on snow or ice.
Woman walking at night using a flashlight. Use a flashlight when your walk is poorly lit. Well-lit snow-covered path. Choose to park and walk in well-lit areas.

Temporary Caution Posters

Step Wisely Caution poster The below signs have been developed for temporary use on or near exit doors during changing conditions for winter slip, trip and fall prevention. The signs are intended to be used as a tool in conjunction with other practices, including but not limited to shoveling, sweeping, applying salt and/or sand, or other winter slip, trip and fall prevention strategies.

Signs should only be used on a temporary basis when warranted by weather conditions. Permanent use could result in occupants becoming complacent and reduce the poster’s effectiveness. The posters should not be used as a substitute for slip and fall prevention best practices.

  • Slick Conditions: This sign is intended to warn occupants exiting buildings that walking surfaces may be slippery due to changing weather conditions.
  • Specific Need: This poster includes a blank section, allowing users to enter a message based on a specific need, such as “Watch for falling icicles.”

Training Materials Support Awareness

Many of the Quick Take training scripts and the Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Power Point presentation address year-round hazards that you can use to  train employees about safer habits.

Employer Resources for Managing Slip, Trip and Fall Risks

Check out these resources to find tools to help identify and manage slip, trip and fall hazards.

Useful Member Links
Submit a Claim/Coverage Change
MCIT Facility Reservations
Other Links
© 2022 Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust

The information contained in this site is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or coverage advice on any specific matter.