Newsletter Article Manufacturing It’s about more than coordination. We all can slip, trip or fall! Slips, trips and falls are some of the leading causes of injuries on the job and at home. At GM, Fall Hazards – falling from heights and lower or same levels – are the top trending sentinel event. Remember, sentinel events are accidents or unsafe conditions that have the potential to be fatal. GM recorded 663 Fall Hazard sentinel events in 2016. We are all at risk, and the consequences range from sprains that make simple tasks tough, to broken bones that put us out of action, or worse. Reducing the risks is in our control. Pre-task planning and preparation are the best ways to avoid many fall hazards. When working from heights, let’s be sure to use the correct Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for the job, and to anchor properly. Be sure you are trained in the Fall Hazard Control program and never work alone. And let’s work together to make sure pits and open spaces are properly lit and barricaded, including after hours.  That’s only part of the story, though. We don’t need a hazard to fall — people trip over their own feet all the time. The risk is increased when we walk while distracted, such as walking and texting or while having an intense conversation. Walking too quickly can be a hazard, especially when tired. Or when we take the stairs and don’t use the handrail. There are hundreds of common hazards that contribute to slips, trips and falls. Our goal is “no injuries” -- a goal we can achieve if we take it one day and one task at a time. Start today with a commitment to not get injured. Then, make a new commitment tomorrow. And when you see colleagues increasing their safety risks, stop and talk to them about your concern. A helpful suggestion to a coworker or family member might save them from injury -- or worse.