Risk Factors Contributing to Slips, Trips, and Falls Among Truck Drivers: Evidence from Canada

Abstract

Slips, trips, and falls (ST&F) represent a major source of occupational injury among truck drivers; however, limited research has systematically examined the full range of contributing factors across work activities. This study investigates patterns and contextual risk factors associated with ST&F incidents among truck drivers in Canada using secondary accident report data obtained from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). A descriptive analysis was conducted on 146 ST&F incident records to examine environmental conditions, work activities, incident contexts, and injury outcomes. The results indicate that ST&F incidents most frequently occurred during routine access and handling activities, particularly walking and stepping up or down. Incidents were more common during winter and spring and under cold or adverse weather conditions, reflecting the influence of surface hazards. Most incidents occurred at customer sites and in ground-level or vehicle-adjacent areas. Slips and trips were identified as the dominant hazardous event mechanism. Lower extremities were the most frequently affected body region, and although most injuries were classified as minor, a substantial proportion resulted in major injuries. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of ST&F risk among truck drivers and emphasize the interaction between environmental, organizational, and task-related factors. Practical implications include the need for improved winter surface maintenance, safer vehicle access design, enhanced safety coordination at external sites, and targeted training for high-risk activities.

Keywords: Occupational Safety, Truck Drivers, Canadian Trucking Industry, Slips, Trips And Falls (ST&F), Injury Severity, Workplace And Individual Risk Factors, Accident Analysis

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007913