This is the time of year when we see an uptick in the number of slip and fall injuries making it critical to emphasize to our team members and partners the need to remain focused on slip and fall hazards as we fight through these treacherous winter months.

We encourage you to use one of the ideas below to develop a winter slip and fall prevention campaign. Think “outside the box” this winter and try a unique approach as we pursue the statewide goal to reduce slip and fall injuries.

Winter Campaign Ideas

Please choose at least one of these ideas and implement it this winter season:

Green card/red card (awareness campaign)

• Identify safety champions for each building entrance to administer this initiative
• Develop two cards, a red and a green
• Green card – Card should contain the following text: “Thank you for wearing proper foot wear for the weather conditions and not using your cell phone while walking”
• Red card – Card should contain the following text: “We are concerned about your safety! Please consider wearing proper foot wear during poor weather conditions. Please understand that you are more susceptible to slips, trips and falls when distracted such as using a cell phone while walking.
• Place the safety champions at the entrances once per week during the winter weather this season and have them issue cards to individuals entering the building based on their foot wear and/or cell phone use.

Fashion foot wear contest (awareness campaign)

• Announce the contest in advance of an anticipated snow day and encourage employees to wear their winter foot wear.
• Take pictures of willing employees and their boots for inclusion in contest.
• Ask employees to vote for their favorite winter foot wear that they think will prevent a slip and fall.
• Identify the winner and post pictures in newsletter, notice board etc.

Leaders weekly communications and briefs

• Monthly communication from leadership in the form of email, postings, newsletter or other agency communication focusing on slips and falls.
• Directors, managers, supervisors perform safety briefs before the start of a meeting or training (focus on slips and falls).

Testimonial from injured employees and share within the organization

• Ask an employee that was injured due to a slip and fall event to provide a testimonial on the impact the injury has had on their life.
• Have them describe what they wish they had done differently or what behavior they have changed.
• Ask permission to share with all employees.
• Communicate the testimonial via, notice boards, company bulletins or any other forms of communication used internally.

Recommend walking paths in winter months and asked facilities to maintain those paths

• Schedule a meeting with facility management to discuss their snow removal plan.
• Provide suggestions to prioritize frequently traveled paths.
• Based on information from facility management, develop, post, and share site maps with the recommended walking paths that will be cleared first during snow events.

Provide regular weather updates/alerts

• Subscribe to the local weather website to receive weather updates.
• Share weather updates/alerts with all employees at least in advance of a snow fall.

Install ice alert indicator at entrances and exits. 

(An ice alert indicator is a device that is temperature-sensitive. The device will change color as temperature falls, warning of possible icy conditions). 

• Identify the type of ice alert indicator you would like to use.
• Determine the frequently used entrances/exits.
• Purchase the number of ice indicators needed.
• Install at the major entrances/exits.
• Provide communication to all employees on the purpose and how the ice indicator operates.