Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips and falls on the same level are the leading workplace accidents. They make up 32% of all non-fatal work-related injuries, nearly double the number caused by manual handling, which accounts for 17%.

And every one of the work-related slips, trips and falls recorded in these statistics resulted in serious harm.

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), employers must report specified (i.e. severe) injuries and injuries that keep an employee off work for seven days or more.

Each slip, trip and fall recorded by the HSE came from a RIDDOR report. This means that every incident caused a seven-day absence or severe injury, such as a broken bone or concussion.

In addition to the personal impact, slip, trip and fall accidents place a heavy financial burden on businesses. They cost UK companies over £500 million each year, including direct costs like compensation and insurance claims, and indirect costs, such as lost productivity.

Given these figures, preventing slips, trips and falls is essential to maintaining a safe and efficient workplace.

As an employer, you’re legally required to provide a safe working environment, and that includes preventing slip, trip and fall accidents.

There are three key pieces of legislation you must comply with:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a general duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and anyone else affected by work activities. This means you must take reasonable steps to protect workers from hazards, including those that lead to slips, trips and falls.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential dangers in the workplace. You must evaluate the risks of slips, trips and falls and put control measures in place to minimise them. Additionally, employees must be given appropriate training to ensure they can recognise and manage work-related risks.
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 covers the condition of floors and walkways. Employers must ensure that floors are kept in good repair and free from obstructions to allow safe movement around the workplace.

Slips, trips and falls can happen in any workplace but can often be prevented with simple, low-cost control measures.

The first step is identifying the common causes of slip and fall accidents present in your workplace.

Slips occur when there is not enough traction between footwear and the walking surface. Most slips occur on wet floors.

Wet floors are slippery floors. Spills, rainwater brought in from outside or recently mopped surfaces all cause floors to become slick.

So, you have to implement measures that minimise the time floors are wet or prevent them from becoming wet in the first place. Common solutions include:

• Extending canopies or rain covers over entranceways
• Placing water-absorbent mats in entranceways
• Scheduling wet mopping out of hours
• Isolating areas being cleaned and using safety signs to warn of wet floors
• Using dry mopping or spot cleaning with absorbent towels during the workday

Grease, oil, drinks and other liquids can spill and “contaminate” floors, creating slick surfaces that lead to slips. Dust and other solid debris can also create slipping hazards.

These contaminants are often found in industrial settings, areas where machinery is used or kitchens where food and drink are prepared.

Effective control measures against contamination include:

• Fixing leaks in faulty machinery or building features
• Installing drip trays, drains or screens around leaky machinery
• Providing slip-resistant footwear for areas that can’t be reliably kept clean and dry
• Planning walkways around areas that are often contaminated
• Ensuring workers have the motivation, knowledge and resources to spot clean drips or sweep up dry materials

Trips happen when your foot strikes an object or uneven surface, causing you to lose balance.

Most trips are caused by obstructed walkways, so keeping these routes clear is critical.

You must also ensure sufficient lighting in all walkways, particularly if there are hidden steps or subtle slopes. It also helps to warn workers of these hazards with safety signs or contrasting colours along edges.

Obstructions will be a consistent problem if employees don’t tidy up their workspaces. Trailing cables, abandoned boxes or leftover rubbish are all common tripping hazards.

Encourage a “see it, sort it” mindset. All workers should clear away clutter (and tidy up spills), no matter who made the mess. Provide the training, storage and resources necessary for this.

Damaged or uneven flooring can catch a person’s foot and lead to a fall. So, you must ensure that floors are kept in good condition.

Look out for:

• Upturned carpet edges
• Raised or sunken tiling
• Cracked concrete

Again, a “see it, sort it” mentality among workers is helpful. Encourage employees who notice these issues to report them immediately (but don’t expect them to attempt a fix).

A fall describes when a person loses their balance and hits the ground or a lower level.

Falls on the same level are the result of a slip or trip, so they share common causes.

Falls while working at height are considered a separate accident type with distinct causes and controls.

• Slips, trips and falls are the most common workplace accidents but can often be prevented with simple control measures.
• Wet floors, obstructed walkways and poor housekeeping are the leading causes of slips and trips.
• Employers must assess and manage slip, trip and fall risks to ensure a safe working environment.
• Regular maintenance, effective cleaning and employee training are essential to preventing slip, trip and fall hazards.

While understanding the common causes of slip and fall accidents at work is important, effective prevention requires ongoing effort and awareness.

That’s where our online Slips, Trips and Falls Training course can help. It covers essential strategies for preventing these accidents, so your team can stay safe and compliant. By investing in this training, you’ll equip your employees with the knowledge they need to spot potential hazards and act to reduce slip and fall risks.