Common slip, trip and fall hazards
People must be able to move around the workplace safely. Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of accidents and injury at work.
Visitors may also be at risk, both inside and outside premises under your control.
Most slips and trips are caused by:
- poor lighting
- trailing cables
- unsuitable floor coverings
- uneven or damaged floor surfaces
- contaminated floor surfaces, for example liquid or grease
- poor housekeeping, for example tripping or falling over something left in a walk way
When considering areas in your workplace that could cause a hazard, remember to take into account:
- any outdoor areas
- differing weather conditions
- working activities carried out off your premises
Carry out a risk assessment
The best way to identify slip, trip and fall hazards and ways to control them in your workplace is to discuss the issue with staff and carry out a risk assessment.
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Use the Slips Assessment Tool (SAT)
The SAT is a useful tool developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that helps you assess the slip potential of pedestrian walkway surfaces.