We all know that accidents happen, and slips, trips and falls are shown to be the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces. But how many people suffer slips, trips and falls at work? Well, slips and trips are responsible for over a third of all reported major injuries, and 2 fatalities per year. More specifically, during 2022-23, 561,000 cases of non-fatal injuries were reported, with slips, trips and falls making up 32% of these — totalling 179,000. So, for business owners and anyone responsible for Health & Safety, preventing slips, trips and falls at work should be a top priority.

Common causes of slips, trips and falls at work

Understanding exactly where the risk of slips, trips and falls comes from is the first step towards preventing accidents. A few different factors can contribute to this, and being aware of them means you can put proper safety measures in place. 

Wet or slippery floors

One of the most common causes of slips and falls is wet or slippery floors. This could come from spills, cleaning activities or even adverse weather conditions like heavy rain or snow and ice.

Uneven or damaged floors

Cracks, holes and uneven tiles or carpets could cause significant tripping hazards in the workplace.

Bad lighting

If the lighting in walkways and work areas isn’t adequate, potential hazards might not be seen and it could become difficult for employees to spot and avoid obstacles. 

Cluttered walkways

Cluttered pathways and obstructed views can lead to trips and falls. Make sure items aren’t left in walkways and your workplace stays organised.

Inappropriate footwear

Employees wearing inappropriate footwear can increase the risk of slips, trips and falls. 

How to prevent slip, trips and falls at work?

Maintain clean and dry floors

  • Implement a regular cleaning schedule to make sure floors are kept as clean and dry as possible
  • Different types of floors need different cleaning methods, so make sure you use the right products and techniques to maintain non-slip surfaces
  • Make sure any spills are cleaned up quickly to prevent slippery surfaces

Ensure proper lighting

  • Make sure all work areas and walkways are well-lit to improve visibility
  • Make sure lighting fixtures are regularly maintained, for example replace light bulbs quickly
  • High-risk areas might require extra lighting to make sure everyone stays safe

Keep walkways clear and organised

  • Keep walkways free of clutter and make sure there’s always a clear path for workers
  • Use cable management solutions to prevent tripping over cords and cables
  • Clearly mark out hazardous areas with signs and barriers to alert workers

Use appropriate floor mats and treads

  • Use non-slip mats in areas that might be prone to wetness, like entrances or kitchens
  • Make sure the mats are properly secured and don’t have curled edges so they don’t become a trip hazard themselves

Promote the use of proper footwear

  • Make sure your staff know about the importance of wearing suitable footwear for their tasks
  • Offer guidelines on suitable footwear to help employees make informed decisions

Conduct regular safety inspections

  • Make sure you regularly inspect the workplace to identify any potential hazards before they cause accidents
  • Keep records of these inspections and make corrections where you need to
  • Encourage employees to participate in safety inspections and report hazards when they see them

Implement employee training

  • Provide training on slip, trip and fall prevention techniques to all employees
  • Teach employees to take notice of their surroundings
  • Keep training policies up to date and current with new policies and regulations

Foster a safety culture

  • Create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting hazards
  • Acknowledge employees to actively contribute to a safe work environment
  • Hold regular meetings and updates to reiterate the importance of workplace safety

Prevent workplace accidents with HS Direct

Preventing slip, trip and fall accidents is essential to maintain a safe and productive working environment. Need more support on how to prevent slips, trips and falls at work? Our slips, trips and falls monitoring checklist can help you identify anywhere that might need corrective actions, and our slips, trips and falls e-learning course is great for employees to brush up on safety skills they need in your workplace.Got more questions about managing Health & Safety at your business? Give us a call on 0114 244 4461 or contact us here.