Slips and trips happen in the workplace for many reasons. However, the key factors that influence the risk of slips and trips can be grouped into nine related categories. Applying best practices in each of these categories significantly reduces the risk of slips and trips. The nine categories are as follows:

• Workplace design is the way a workplace is planned, organized, and equipped to ensure both productivity and worker safety. Examples of good design include handrails on stairs, and bins at entrances.
• Flooring composition (what the floor is made of) and profile (its degree of roughness) determine how slippery a floor will be. Flooring factors are associated with contamination.
• Contamination results when something — water, oil or soap residue, for example — ends up on a walking surface. Contamination rarely causes a slip or trip by itself. However, it interacts with flooring, footwear, and cleaning factors to cause loss of balance.
• Environment includes factors such as lighting, temperature, and noise that can distract workers or mask hazards.
• Footwear factors stem from the material and construction of shoes and how much friction they provide on the floor. Footwear itself isn’t usually a cause of slips and trips, but it is linked to flooring factors and contamination.
• Work procedures are written descriptions of how a task should be done. They may be general or specific, depending on the type and complexity of the task. Practices are the rules that govern how (or the manner in which) a workplace approaches tasks and processes.
• Human performance factors (such as eyesight, hearing, and balance) sometimes contribute to slips and trips. These factors vary from person to person.

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common cause of injuries for workers and injuries can happen in a number of ways, for example:

• unmarked changes in floor levels
• slipping on a wet floor (which is wet because something is spilt on it, or because of weather conditions or cleaning processes)
• poor housekeeping and obstructed views – leading to people tripping over loose carpet, mats, trailing cables, boxes or bags
• damaged flooring including stairs
• not using stair hand rails
• cramped conditions and poor work flow (eg desks too close together)
• standing on unstable furniture
• poor lighting.

Practical steps to prevent slips and trips accidents There are many simple ways to control slips and trips risks and prevent accidents in your workplace. Here are a few examples.

Stop floors becoming contaminated

• Fix leaks from machinery or buildings.
• Design tasks to minimise spillages.

Use the right cleaning methods

• Make sure that your cleaning method is effective for the type of floor you have.
• Don’t introduce more slip or trip risks while cleaning is being done.
• Leave smooth floors dry after cleaning or exclude pedestrians until the floor is dry.
• Remove spillages promptly.
• Have effective arrangements for both routine cleaning and dealing with spills.
• Use the appropriate detergent mixed at the correct concentration.

Consider the flooring and work environment

• Check for loose, damaged and worn flooring and replace as needed
• Floors likely to get wet or have spillages on them should be of a type that does not become unduly slippery.
• Make sure lighting is sufficient and that slopes or steps are clearly visible.
• Keep walkways and work areas clear of obstructions.

Get the right footwear

• Where floors cannot be kept clean and dry, slip-resistant footwear can help prevent slip accidents.
• Trial footwear first to make sure it is suitable for the environment and for those who will be wearing it, ie comfort and fit.
• If footwear is supplied as personal protective equipment (PPE), it must be supplied free of charge to employees.

Think about people and organisational factors

• Consider how work is organised and managed, eg to avoid rushing, overcrowding, trailing cables.
• Make sure employees are involved in the decisions that affect them, eg choice of PPE footwear or a change in cleaning methods.

First you must always eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to. Where you’re not reasonably able to, then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk. Here are some examples:

• Keep work and storage areas tidy.
• Ensure designated walkways are provided with good conditions under foot, signposted and adequately lit.
• Use mechanical lifting aids rather than carrying heavy or unwieldy loads that block the view ahead.
• Ensure workers wear appropriate footwear with good grip.
• Plan deliveries to minimise the amount of materials on site.
• Have designated areas for waste collection, and provide skips and bins. Make sure everyone knows who is responsible for waste removal.
• Use cordless tools where possible. If you need to use cables for temporary lighting or power tools, run the cables at a high level.
• Treat slippery surfaces with stone or grit, depending on the conditions. Make sure you signpost any slippery areas.
• Consider using a ramp for any changes in level. Where this is not possible, use signs to warn workers to look out for a level change.

You need to select the most effective controls that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

What can employees do to prevent slips and trips? In all workplaces:

• If you have an accident or a near miss, make sure you report it to your employer promptly. They can use this information to prevent future accidents.
• If you see a spillage, clean it up or make arrangements for it to be cleaned.
• Report any damaged floors or mats.
• Play your part and keep the workplace tidy.
• If you see items on the floor where someone could trip over them, remove them or arrange for them to be removed or for the situation to be made safe.
• If you are given PPE, wear it and look after it. Report any faults or damage to your employer and make arrangements for a replacement.
• Tell your employer about any work situation that you think is dangerous, or if you notice that something has gone wrong with their health and safety arrangements