Commuting is slippery – the winter season highlights the importance of prevention

The Pysy pystyssä (Stay Upright) campaign, launched on 12 January, highlights accidents that occur while commuting, which make up a significant proportion of all occupational accidents. Most commuting accidents are falls and slips, and the risk increases especially in winter conditions.

Most commuting accidents occur when walking on foot, and accidents often occur on slippery paths, such as pavements, parking lots and yard areas.

Slips and falls account for clearly more than half of all commuting accidents. A typical accident is a sudden slip, which can lead to serious injuries and long periods of disability.

On average, one in a hundred employees is injured on the way to work every year. Accidents occur especially when the temperature is around zero. Up to 57% of commuting accidents occur with an average temperature between -5 °C and +5 °C.

The consequences of commuting accidents are also often more serious than those of workplace accidents that occur at the workplace.

However, the risk of accidents can be influenced. Prevention emphasises anticipation, grippy footwear and the use of anti-slip devices. In addition, the maintenance of passageways and solutions that support safety play a key role in improving commuting safety.

The Pysy pystyssä campaign encourages everyone to recognise the risks of commuting and to take small but effective actions to prevent slipping.

Read more about commuting accidents and how they can be prevented in the analysis written by our experts Marja Kaari and Janne Sysi-Aho. Go to the analysis in Työtapaturmatieto .