Safety Tips for Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls at Work

A third of major injuries reported and the single most common cause of injuries at work are Slips, Trips and Falls.

By recognising the potential hazards and setting in place suitable control measures you can reduce the risks in your workplace.

What to look out for:

1. Look out for uneven floors,
2. Cables and wires trailing across the floor,
3. Wet and slippery floors,
4. Loose mats and worn carpet tiles,
5. Damaged steps and handrails,
6. Items stacked in walkways and untidy house keeping practises.
7. Doors in and out of kitchen areas, this is usually a big spill point
8. Doorways coming in from the outside especially in wet weather, as a matter of fact the whole journey from the car park to the doorways should be considered. When it rains people rush, when people rush they usually fall.

Who can be injured:

1. Anyone working or walking in your workplace could be at risk especially consider people who are not familiar with the area,
2. People who have to carry and move items in your work area and
3. Those people who may be unsteady on their feet to begin with.

What can you do: 

1. Ensure you have a system in place to regularly check walkways and floor integrity.
2. Repair damaged, missing or loose floor covers.
3. Have a procedure for cleaning up spills immediately.
4. Look up- ensure lighting is adequate and in good repair.
5. Have regular housekeeping inspections and activities.
6. Use barriers where it is unsafe to walk.
7. Encourage appropriate footwear to be worn in your workplace.
8. Get cables up off the floor or tape them down so they do not cause a trip hazard.
9. Clearly identify changes in floor levels and provide hand rails for sloping surfaces.
10. Erect no running or other appropriate signage to indicate a risk.

The most important thing is to be on the look out for potential drop points and take speedy action. look at it from all angles and get people who work outside the area to do a spot check.

Good luck – Don’t let unsafe acts or conditions trip up your safety program.