Sticking to the Trail
by John Walker, MS, LAT, ATC
Imagine you’re on top of a ski run, staring down your first Black Diamond slope. With little visibility past the first bank, all you can see are trees and the trails of other riders on the fresh powder. While most follow the natural slope of the mountain, you can see a couple of thrill-seeking riders darting through the trees, off the main trail. What would you choose?
When faced with two paths, it’s often tempting to take the shorter and more exciting route to the end. When working in an industrial setting, shortcuts and speed can sometimes be mistaken for efficiency. But just like skiing off trail, cutting corners at work often introduces unnecessary risk or even injury. When it comes to workplace safety, less risk is always more rewarding.
Riding the Grain
The safest way down a mountain is usually the established trail. It’s visible, tested, and predictable. The same principle applies on the job. The best way for any worker to set themselves up for success is to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before. Standard Operating Procedures, or SOPs, have been tested and retested to ensure that quality and safety standards are on equal footing.
For an industrial athlete, “sticking to the trail” might look like setting up properly before a lift, positioning a load in the Green Zone, pivoting instead of twisting, or asking for help rather than forcing a hero move. These aren’t flashy decisions, but they’re repeatable ones. And repeatable is what keeps us in the game.
Could veering off course & into the trees result in some excitement and quicker descent? Sure, much in the same way a rushed lift or careless reach might feel faster in the moment. But if the end goal is to go home at the end of the day ready to come back tomorrow, is that risk worth it?
Steady as She Goes
While slow, consistent effort may sound directly opposed to efficiency or workplace success, this is the bedrock to making it through the day safely. Think of offloading a pallet or delivery truck. Cutting corners by handling unsafe amounts of weight or rapidly twisting to reach items may get the job done faster, but dramatically increase this risk of muscle soreness or injury. Taking the time to utilize PREPARED principles with each task and following each step in the SOP keeps you on the trail and gets you down the mountain.
Just as ski patrol is stationed on the mountain to guide and support when conditions change, Work Right Injury Prevention Specialists serve a similar role. They’re another set of eyes on the trail. When a green shirt walks by, use it. Ask a question. Run a task by them. The goal isn’t to slow you down. It’s to help you stay on your feet and ready for the next run.
John Walker, MS, LAT, ATC || John spent years working in college athletics before bringing his experience to Work Right in 2025. He’s most passionate about educating patients and others so they understand their bodies, their injuries, and their options for staying strong on and off the job. Outside of work, he enjoys running half marathons, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, catching plays and shows with his wife, and playing with their dog, Memphis.
Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!