Slips, trips and falls

are you, or your colleagues, at risks? 

An estimate of 693,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in 2019-2020. This is according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey in 2019/20 (LFS).

Many injuries every year occur through slips, trips and falls, but most of these injuries are easily preventable with a little care.
 
Most slips, trips and falls occur due to poor housekeeping. This means leaving items such as cables, hand tools and surplus materials on the ground, creating trip hazards.
 

Examples of slips, trips and fall hazards include:

• Split substances such as oils and greases will form a slip hazard if they are not immediately cleaned up.
• Trailing cables in the work area and across pedestrian routes are a frequent cause of tripping.
• General debris such as brick and block fragments can quickly accumulate and form a tripping hazard.
• Mud on smooth surfaces such as ladders or steps on site vehicles can cause a slipping and then falling hazard.
• Reduced levels of natural light, for example during winter afternoons, can easily increase the tripping hazards if adequate access lighting is not provided. Tools, equipment and materials that are visible in full daylight might be hidden in semi-darkness.
• Pot holes, changes in levels and uneven steps in the workplace can all lead to trips and falls.

What you must do:

• Clear up waste materials as you create them. Lightweight waste should be bagged or bundled, and nails must be removed from waste timber.
• Work in a tidy manner. Do not leave tools, equipment or unused materials lying about on the floor.
• If you are using substances that could spill, ensure that you have a means of effectively clearing up the spillage.
• Route cables for power tools about head height. If cables have to be routed at floor level, try to avoid crossing pedestrian walkways.
• Sites can get muddy, so make sure that your boots or shoes are cleaned off before accessing offices, workshops, plant or climbing ladders. Do not spread mud by walking into clean areas.
• Keep working areas clear of materials and tools where natural light levels may change throughout the day. Temporary lighting should be installed wherever lighting is adequate.
• Tell your supervisor if you do not have the right equipment to clear up and dispose of the waste you create.

We have created a downloadable poster summarising the point above you can print and display in your workplace to remind everyone of the hazards and what to do to reduce the risk of Slips, Trips and Falls at work. 

Need more information:

The HSE’s slips and trips information hub is a useful starting point if you need any more information, it contains links to several useful summaries, research reports, and case studies. Some of these are listed below as a quick reference. 

• Preventing Slips and trips at work (INDG225)
• Hazard Spotting Checklist

Here is a link to the text of the legislation that cover this topic: 

• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Regulation 12)
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Section 2, Paragraph 2) d)