September is Fall Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to reinforce one of the most common - and costly - workplace safety issues in our industry: trips and falls. While many accidents may seem minor at first glance, their impact can be serious, leading to injuries, lost time, and significant claims costs. The good news is that most of these incidents are preventable with awareness, preparation, and consistent training.
What the Numbers Tell Us
A review of recent PestSure workers’ compensation claims, slips, trips, and falls have led to injuries involving shoulders, knees, ankles, hips, and the spine. The costs add up quickly:
- Slipped off curb: $154,000
- Slipped on sand: $375,000
- Stepped off curb: $169,000
- Tripped down steps: $218,000
- Tripped on garden hose: $310,000
- Slipped on leaves: $233,000
- Slipped on ice: $203,000
These examples underscore the fact that hazards are everywhere. Something as simple as a curb, a pile of wet leaves, a garden hose, or a patch of uneven ground can trigger a serious accident.
Why Hazards Are Easy to Miss
Technicians work in constantly changing environments. One day a site may be clear, and the next day it could be cluttered with toys, sprinkler heads, rocks, or a freshly stretched garden hose across the walkway. Because no two service visits look exactly the same, it’s critical that employees take a few moments to scan their surroundings before starting a job.
Some teams already incorporate this step into their service routine. Others feel pressed for time and skip it. Yet the reality is clear: failing to build in a quick hazard check often costs more time and money in the long run when accidents happen.
Building Prevention into Training
To make hazard awareness second nature, fall prevention must be part of consistent and ongoing training. Here are a few practical steps to consider:
- Include site walks in new-hire training. Show new technicians how to quickly preview a location and identify potential trip and slip hazards before they begin service.
- Discuss hazards in team meetings. Regularly review examples of conditions that can lead to accidents – from curbs and retaining walls to ice and wet surfaces. Shared experiences heighten awareness.
- Revisit scheduling practices. Ensure service times allow for a brief site assessment. Even a one-minute hazard scan is a worthwhile investment in preventing injuries.
- Reinforce good habits. Supervisors and managers should model site checks and recognize employees who consistently take the extra step to protect themselves.
The Cost of Skipping Steps
Trips and falls remain the number one cause of work injuries in our industry. Beyond the immediate injury and claims expense, accidents also impact productivity, customer service, and employee morale. Every injury is one too many, especially when so many are preventable.
A Call to Action
As we observe Fall Prevention Month, take time to talk with your teams about the importance of hazard awareness. Remind them that a quick site preview is not wasted time – it’s a proven loss prevention step that keeps everyone safer.
At PestSure, we believe safety is everyone’s responsibility. By building consistent fall-prevention practices into training, scheduling, and daily routines, we can significantly reduce risks, protect our employees, and strengthen our businesses.
PestSure – Your Partner in Safety
Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.
PestSure provides insurance, safety, and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $400 million in payroll, and more than 13,000 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.