Are your employees moving around safely?

Not every serious workplace injury involves heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, or working at heights. In many workplaces, some of the highest-risk incidents happen during ordinary movement; walking through parking lots, crossing streets, taking out garbage, backing up vehicles, entering loading areas, or simply moving from one area of the workplace to another.

Many workplace incidents occur during routine movement when employees are distracted, rushing, fatigued, carrying objects that block visibility, or assuming vehicle operators can see them. Poor lighting, weather conditions, noise, blind spots, uneven walking surfaces, congestion, and inadequate traffic flow can all contribute to serious incidents involving pedestrians, vehicles, or mobile equipment.

An employee taking out the garbage may step behind a reversing truck without realizing the driver cannot see them. A worker crossing a parking lot while checking a phone may fail to notice a moving vehicle. An employee rushing between appointments may become distracted while driving and overlook changing road conditions. These situations may seem minor in the moment, but the consequences can be severe or even fatal.

In many workplaces, employees work around forklifts, garbage trucks, delivery vehicles, reversing company vehicles, powered industrial trucks, or heavy equipment throughout the day. In others, employees regularly cross streets during deliveries, travel between locations, move through busy parking lots, or work near roadways and railway crossings. These environments create constant interaction between pedestrians, vehicles, and equipment, increasing the potential for struck-by incidents and vehicle-related injuries.

Weather and environmental conditions can increase risk even further. Rain, snow, ice, fog, darkness, glare, and uneven walking surfaces may reduce visibility and increase stopping distances for both pedestrians and drivers. During busy periods, congested loading areas, entrances, or parking lots can create additional hazards, particularly when employees are rushed or distracted.

Because these activities are routine, they are often performed with very little thought. Employees may become comfortable with familiar routes, familiar tasks, and familiar surroundings. Over time, this sense of familiarity can create complacency, causing people to operate on “autopilot” instead of actively paying attention to their surroundings.

Employers should regularly assess how employees move through the workplace and identify areas where pedestrians and vehicles interact. Parking lots, loading docks, waste disposal areas, entrances, warehouses, customer pickup areas, sidewalks, crossings, and roadways should all be evaluated for potential hazards. Reviewing traffic patterns, visibility concerns, signage, lighting, speed control measures, pedestrian routes, and housekeeping conditions can help identify risks before incidents occur.

Simple preventive measures can make a significant difference. Clearly marked pedestrian walkways, designated crossing points, mirrors at blind corners, warning signs, barriers, reversing alarms, speed limits, high-visibility clothing, and proper lighting can all help improve awareness and separate pedestrians from moving vehicles or equipment.

Vehicle condition is another important part of movement-related safety. Employers should ensure preventive maintenance programs are in place and that vehicles are inspected regularly. Vehicle inspection checklists can help identify issues involving brakes, tires, steering, lights, mirrors, backup alarms, cameras, windshield wipers, and other critical safety systems before they contribute to an incident. Employees should also understand the importance of reporting defects, damage, or unsafe conditions immediately.

Driving for work introduces additional risks related to traffic, fatigue, distractions, road conditions, weather, and time pressures. Employees driving for meetings, deliveries, service calls, or travel between job sites may spend a significant portion of the day on the road. Organizations should ensure employees understand safe driving expectations, avoid distracted driving, wear seatbelts, follow traffic laws, and adjust driving behaviour based on weather and road conditions.

Employees working near railway crossings should also remain alert at all times. Trains require significant distance to stop and may approach more quietly or quickly than expected. Employees should never attempt to cross tracks when warning systems are active and should always stop, look, and listen carefully before crossing.

Creating a safer workplace is not only about controlling major hazards. It is also about recognizing the risks associated with routine movement and encouraging employees to remain aware throughout the workday. Taking a few extra moments to slow down, stay alert, follow safe procedures, and pay attention to surroundings can help prevent serious injuries and save lives.