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

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	Yeesh! It’s Slip and Fall Season Again (weather awareness) Poster (11×17) Mini Flier: 1 per page or 3 per page Table Tent Lock Screen Image/E-mail*
	Nailed It! I Took the Cleared Path … Poster (11×17) Mini Flier: 1 per page or 3 per page Table Tent Lock Screen/E-mail*
	Seriously, These Boots Are Made for Walking on Snow and Ice Poster (11×17) Mini Flier: 1 per page or 3 per page Table Tent Lock Screen/E-mail*
	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

Sports Theme

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.

• Download Spot the Hazard Game
• Download Spot the Hazard Answer Key

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.

	3 Points of Contact (exiting/entering vehicles) Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
	Illegal Route (taking shortcuts) Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
	Amazing Shuffle Step Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent Jpeg Image* (for e-mail/lock screen)
	Successful Entry Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) 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.  More jpeg images are available on the E-mail Messages page.

Emojis Theme

This campaign builds throughout the season so that the last design (Step Wisely to Avoid Injury) pulls together the tips provided on the other posters.

Short Animated Videos: Using humor, these less-than-a minute videos illustrate slip, trip and fall accidents, highlighting hazards and safety tips. VIEW AND LEARN HOW TO SHARE VIDEOS …

 

Emoji Decode Game: This game of emoji puzzles can be used in a variety of ways to add fun to your slip, trip and fall prevention campaign. Use the game as an employee contest, include as a small group training activity or leave in break rooms for individuals to complete. DOWNLOAD GAME AND ANSWER KEY

	It’s Hard to See Through Tears (Watch for slick spots) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent E-mail*
	Don’t Put a Bump in Your Day (Take it slow, keep hands free) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent E-mail*
	A Bandage Is an Accessory You Don’t Need (Use appropriate footwear) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent E-mail*
	Step Wisely to Avoid Injury (All tips together) Use this design last during the season. Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent E-mail*

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

Cat Facts Theme

	Look Ahead on Snow and Ice Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Wear Footwear with Good Tread Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Take Slow Steps on Snow and Ice Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent

Dog Daze Theme

	Take Hold of Vehicle Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Look Ahead When Walking on Ice and Snow Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Keep Hands Free Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent

Jokes Theme

	What did the shoe say to the ice? (proper footwear) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Why is a wet entry floor like music? (slick entry floors) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Freudian slip (changing weather conditions) Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent
	How did the chicken feel after it slipped …? (getting in and out of vehicles) Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent
	Knock, knock … (rushing across snow and ice) Poster Mini Flier (1 per page) Mini Flier (3 per page) Table Tent

Top 5 Winter Falls Theme

	Slip and Split (black ice and hidden slick spots) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page)
	Carside Crash (getting in and out of vehicles) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Parking Lot Plant (rushing across snow and ice) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Doorway Drop (wet and sandy floors) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page)
	Twist and Shout (proper footwear) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent

Comic Book Theme

	Bell Ringer (walking on ice) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Ego Bruiser (getting in and out of vehicles) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Ankle Twister (proper footwear) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page) Table Tent
	Elbow Buster (wet and sandy floors) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page)
	Head Cracker (stay on cleared walkways) Poster Mini Flier (1/page) Mini Flier (3/page)

• Request Printed Materials: Complete the Step Wisely Order Form and return it to info@mcit.org to have printed materials mailed 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.

Temporary Caution Posters

 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.