Slip and Fall Prevention on the Job

Overview

Slips, trips, and falls represent one of the leading causes of workplace injuries across all industries. These incidents result in serious injuries including fractures, head trauma, and back injuries, yet most are preventable through awareness and simple precautions.

Why This Is Important

Same-level falls seem minor but cause devastating injuries. A slip on a wet floor or trip over clutter can result in months of recovery, permanent disability, or even death in severe cases. These incidents happen in seconds but affect workers and families for years. Understanding slip and fall hazards helps workers recognize and address risks before incidents occur. Walking surfaces, weather conditions, footwear, and housekeeping all play critical roles in prevention.

Best Practices / Safety Tips

• Walk deliberately and avoid rushing, especially on potentially slippery surfaces or uneven terrain.
• Wear appropriate footwear with slip-resistant soles designed for your specific work environment.
• Keep walking surfaces clean, dry, and free from debris, cords, tools, and materials.
• Report and clean up spills immediately—never walk past a hazard assuming someone else will handle it.
• Use designated walkways and avoid taking shortcuts across cluttered or hazardous areas.
• Maintain three points of contact when climbing stairs or accessing elevated surfaces.
• Ensure adequate lighting in all work areas, especially stairs, entries, and transitions between areas.
• Be extra cautious during weather changes—ice, rain, and snow create serious slip hazards.
• Avoid carrying loads that obstruct your view of where you’re walking.
• Pay attention to walking surface transitions—carpet to tile, indoor to outdoor, level to sloped surfaces.

Takeaway

Preventing slips, trips, and falls requires constant awareness and prompt action to address hazards. By maintaining clean work areas, wearing proper footwear, and walking carefully, we can eliminate most of these preventable injuries.