Slips, trips and falls — most commonly caused by wet surfaces, spills, and weather-related hazards — are a major source of workplace injuries across the U.S.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18% of all nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work are the result of slips, trips and falls. More than 1,000 deaths per year result from slips, trips and falls, as well as many more injuries ranging from minor to serious — including hip fractures and broken arms.

Schools are by far the most common place for falls resulting in injury, said Carrie Franciosa, MIIA’s director of workers compensation claims.

“We see many of these injuries occur when teachers and school staff members are rushing across parking lots in the winter to get into the building and they hit a patch of black ice,” she said.

Such incidences — where employees are in a rush and wearing inappropriate footwear or not paying attention — are among the most frequent workplace slip injuries nationwide, reports the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Other causes of workplace slip and fall injuries include leaky water fountains in schools, tracked-in moisture during rain and snowstorms, condensation on floors brought on by high humidity, and uneven floors in older buildings, Franciosa said.

Municipal leaders can help prevent these injuries by taking steps to improve safety, such as by using “wet floor” signs, installing rubber mats in entrances and by sinks in school cafeterias, and being diligent with snow and ice cleanup in parking lots and on sidewalks.

MIIA offers its members a free training course on slips, trips and falls, including prevention tips.