Slips, trips and falls are common workplace safety issues across offices, warehouses, shops, factories, construction sites and other working environments. According to the HSE, 30% of RIDDOR-reported non-fatal employee injuries in Great Britain during 2024/25 were caused by slips, trips or falls on the same level.
Many incidents can be reduced through good housekeeping, maintenance and suitable controls. This guide covers the causes, employer responsibilities, prevention measures and risk assessment process.
Hazards can arise from the condition of the workplace, the way the work is being carried out and employee behaviour. Wet or contaminated floors due to spillages, cleaning, rainwater and other substances can reduce grip, whilst damaged or uneven surfaces such as broken flooring, loose surfaces or changes in the floor level can create trip hazards.
Poor housekeeping can leave equipment, stock, waste or other objects in walkways, while trailing cables and hoses can create trip hazards where they cross walking routes. Poor lighting is another important issue, as insufficient visibility makes hazards much harder to see.
Stairs and changes in level should be kept well maintained and clearly visible to reduce the risk of falls. Entrances and external areas also need consideration, with rain, mud, ice, uneven surfaces and other outdoor conditions all contributing to new hazards.
Unsuitable footwear can be another cause of slips, trips and falls, as any footwear that does not provide appropriate grip will increase the risk of slipping. It is important to remember that work activities and behaviours can also be factors in safety, as rushing, carrying loads that obstruct visibility or failing to deal with an identified hazard can lead to incidents.
What are an employer’s responsibilities?
Employers must identify workplace hazards and take reasonable steps to protect employees and others who may be affected.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the overarching legislation requiring employers to protect employees’ health and safety.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess risks and put appropriate arrangements in place, while the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover conditions such as floors, traffic routes and stairs.
RIDDOR must also be considered to ensure incidents meet reporting requirements, while the Work at Height Regulations apply where there is a risk of falling from height.
How can employers prevent slips and trips?
Keep floors, walkways and work areas safe
Spillages should be dealt with promptly and cleaning procedures should not leave avoidable slip hazards. Walkways, floors and working areas should be kept clear of unnecessary obstructions, waste and equipment, whilst cables, hoses and other trailing items should be managed to ensure they do not cross pedestrian routes unnecessarily.
It is also important to repair any damaged flooring and deal with defects rather than allowing known hazards to remain. Good housekeeping should be ongoing rather than something carried out only after an incident.
Use suitable flooring, lighting and footwear
You should choose flooring with suitable slip resistance for the environment and the work being carried out, whilst also considering areas where floors are regularly exposed to water, oil, food or other contaminants.
Businesses need to make sure that lighting provides enough visibility for employees to identify hazards, particularly around stairs, walkways and changes in level. Employees should also have suitable footwear where the work environment requires particular levels of grip or protection.
Maintain stairs, entrances and access routes
Stairs and pedestrian routes should be kept clear and in good condition, with particular attention to entrances where rain, mud or other contaminants can be brought inside. External paths and access routes should be inspected regularly, with damaged surfaces and other maintenance problems repaired promptly.
Train staff and encourage reporting
Employees should receive appropriate information and training about slip-and-trip hazards and the controls used to prevent them. They should be encouraged to report hazards, near misses and unsafe conditions rather than assuming someone else will deal with them.
Appropriate supervision can help to reinforce safe working practices where employees are exposed to particular risks. Employees can help identify hazards because they understand how the work is actually carried out.
Review problems and act on them
Employers should investigate accidents and near misses to identify why they happened and look for repeated problems such as spillages, damaged flooring or obstructed walkways. They need to make sure that identified hazards are actually dealt with, rather than simply recorded, and use incident information to review whether existing controls are working.
What should a slips, trips and falls risk assessment cover?
Identify the hazards
Employers need to identify where slips, trips and falls could occur by considering floors, walkways, stairs, entrances, external areas and specific work activities. They need to look at why a hazard exists rather than simply recording its presence.
Consider who could be affected
Consider employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may enter the premises, including whether particular people face additional risks because of the environment or work being carried out.
Review controls and further action
The controls already being used should be recorded and assessed to see whether they are actually effective. It is then possible to decide whether further measures are needed to reduce the risk.
Any actions should clearly state what needs to be done, who is responsible and when each action should be completed. It is also vital that previous accidents, near misses and repeated problems are reviewed as they can highlight weaknesses in existing controls. A risk assessment should lead to practical action rather than simply identifying hazards and leaving them unresolved.
What can happen if risks are not properly managed?
Failing to manage known workplace hazards can have consequences beyond an employee being injured. The HSE may investigate serious incidents or concerns about workplace safety and enforcement action can include improvement notices or prohibition notices where appropriate.
Any serious breaches can result in prosecution and fines with potential individual liability in some circumstances. It is also possible for an injured person to pursue a civil claim following an accident. Employers should act when hazards are identified, rather than waiting for an accident to demonstrate that controls were inadequate.
How Watson & Watson can help
Preventing slips, trips and falls relies on consistent workplace management by identifying hazards, maintaining the workplace, responding to reports, and reviewing controls.
Watson & Watson can support employers with workplace risk assessments, health and safety policies, reviewing existing procedures, and practical health and safety advice. Get in touch now for support with your workplace health and safety.
