Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part PestSure series for Fall Prevention Month examining how pest management companies can reduce slips, trips and falls during service. Part One focuses on the risks technicians encounter as they arrive at and move through a worksite. Part Two, publishing later this month, will address equipment, ladders, housekeeping and near-miss reporting.

Pest control technicians do not work in a controlled environment.

Every service stop brings a new walking surface, access point and set of conditions. A wet loading dock, loose gravel, an uneven curb, a cluttered storage room or poor lighting can turn an ordinary service call into a serious injury.

As September begins and the industry recognizes Fall Prevention Month, pest management companies have an opportunity to reinforce a simple message: preventing slips, trips and falls starts before the work begins. Technicians need a consistent process for assessing each location rather than relying on familiarity or reacting after a hazard appears.

A Major Workplace Risk

The national numbers show how widespread the exposure is. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 479,480 private-industry cases involving days away from work due to falls, slips and trips in 2024. Across all sectors, these events also caused 844 fatal work injuries. A momentary loss of footing can have consequences far beyond a bruise or a sore ankle.

For pest management companies, an incident can mean medical costs, lost work time, schedule disruptions, overtime, a workers' compensation claim and an experienced employee temporarily removed from the field. Prevention protects the technician while helping the company maintain reliable service for customers.

Start the Safety Check Before Leaving the Vehicle

Arrival is the technician's first opportunity to slow down and assess the site. Before opening the door, look for moving traffic, curbs, potholes, slopes, ice, standing water, landscaping materials and other conditions around the parking area. Choose a parking location that provides safe access to the tools and products needed for service.

Technicians should also consider the route to the service area. The shortest path is not always the safest. A paved walkway may be a better choice than cutting across wet grass, loose rock or a steep grade. At commercial properties, ask the customer about approved entrances, restricted areas, active loading zones and recent spills or maintenance work.

Pay Attention When Conditions Change

Many falls happen at transition points: stepping out of a vehicle, moving from outdoors to indoors, crossing a threshold, walking from bright sunlight into a dim room or shifting from a level surface to stairs. These moments deserve the technician's full attention.

Maintain three points of contact when entering or exiting a vehicle, use handrails and never jump from a cab or tailgate. Pause when lighting changes so your eyes can adjust. Use a flashlight or headlamp in attics, crawlspaces, basements and utility rooms. Door saddles, curled mats, loose carpet and changes in floor elevation can be easy to miss when attention is focused on the pest problem.

Footwear and Pace to the Conditions

Slip-resistant work shoes are an important control, but tread must be kept clean and shoes replaced when soles are worn or damaged. Mud, grease and product residue can reduce traction and may be tracked onto a customer's floor, creating a hazard for others.

Weather can change the risk quickly. Rain makes tile, painted concrete, metal stairs and loading ramps slick. Morning frost may remain in shaded areas after other surfaces have dried. Wet leaves can conceal uneven ground. Technicians should adjust their route and pace, take shorter steps and report conditions that require the customer to take corrective action.

Set the Stage for a Safer Service Call

A thoughtful arrival check takes only a few moments, but it can identify hazards before the technician is carrying equipment or concentrating on the treatment. Managers should give technicians enough time to assess each location and reinforce that choosing a safer route is part of professional service - not a delay in completing it.

In Part Two, PestSure will look at how ladder use, equipment placement, housekeeping and near-miss reporting can keep the worksite safer once service is underway.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider exclusively dedicated to the pest management industry. Today, PestSure provides insurance, safety, and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing approximately $2 billion in annual revenue, more than $600 million in payroll, and over 11,500 service vehicles nationwide. PestSure is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

To learn more, call 888.984.3813 or visit www.PestSure.com