How to Prevent Slips and Trips in the Workplace 

While it’s hard to believe that something so small as a wet step or object in a walkway can cause major injuries, the reality is that slips and trips are the most common causes of injuries at work every year.

While work-related injuries can’t be fully avoided, there are a number of things you can do as an employer to prevent the risk of slips and trips in your workplace. 

You can prevent slips and trips in the workplace by:

1. Placing down anti-slip equipment
2. Using the necessary warning signs
3. Clearing away hazards immediately 
4. De-icing pathways and car parks
5. Using the correct footwear
6. Ensuring efficient lighting 

1. Placing Down Anti-slip Equipment

Some areas of the workplace are inevitably going to be more slippery than others, for example entrances, stairs, slopes and shower rooms. In these locations, it’s a good idea to put down anti-slip equipment to prevent surfaces from becoming slippery and posing a risk to employees. 

Anti-slip equipment can come in a variety of forms, such as mats, tapes, grating and floor covers. 

Anti-Slip Tape

Anti-slip adhesive tapes are ideal for creating a safer working environment by reducing the risk of workers injuring themselves on slippery surfaces. 

Most anti-slip tapes come in a bulk pack, so you have the freedom to place these tapes in as many areas as possible. We recommend one strip per step and any other areas with a high volume of foot traffic. 

Entrance Mat

Correctly installed entrance matting is designed to remove excess dirt and moisture from footwear and wheeled traffic from outdoors, therefore providing a safe walking surface to prevent slips and trips. 

2. Using the Necessary Warning Signs

The HSE states that wet floor signs and cones must be clearly visible when dealing with a slippery surface, so that workers take extra caution around the area. 

It’s important to note, however, that wet floor signs can lose their value and effectiveness if not used properly. Once the area has been cleaned up and is now safe for pedestrian traffic, the wet floor signs should be removed immediately. If they are left out then people get complacent and often ignore them, putting them at risk the next time they are used. 

In addition to wet floor signs, there are numerous other slips and trips signs that may be necessary for your workplace, such as ‘Danger Trip Hazard’ and ‘Beware of the Step’. 

Here’s a few things to consider when positioning your signs:

• For large workplaces or busy public areas, you might want to consider investing in multilingual warning signs. However, wet floor signs do also have the universally recognisable graphic of a man slipping over, so if you can’t get your hands on a multilingual sign, it’s not the end of the world. 
• If people can approach the wet area from all directions, it’s best to use a four sided sign so it is clearly visible to all. 
• Ensure you position the sign or cone so that it alerts the person before they walk onto the wet area. If the sign is placed on the wet area, then it’ll most likely be too late.

3. Clearing Away Hazards Immediately

Good housekeeping is essential for preventing slips and trips in the workplace. Clean up any spillages immediately and ensure you use the correct cleaning equipment for the type of floor. It’s best to let floors air dry or mop the area to speed up the time it takes to dry, and of course use wet floor signs (as mentioned above) to alert passers by of the risk. 

Talking of slippery surfaces, it’s also a good idea to invest in an umbrella stand near the entrance of the building. This allows workers to store their soaking umbrella at the front of the workplace, preventing puddles of rain from coating the floors. 

4. De-icing Pathways and Car Parks

Indeed, slips and trips are a common injury all year round, but they are significantly more common in the Winter, with all the additional snow, ice and rain on surfaces, as well as slippery wet leaves. 

According to the HSE’s Workplace Regulations 1992 Code Of Practice: “arrangements should be made to minimise risks from snow and ice”. To reduce the risk of these hazards, we highly recommend gritting and salting the workplace car park, walkways, steps and all main entrances/exits to the building. Learn how to properly use a salt spreader here.  

5. Using the Correct Footwear

Footwear can play a big part in preventing slips in the workplace, and employees are expected to wear footwear appropriate for the duties of their job role. Shoelaces must be tied correctly and the slickness of the soles and the type of heels must be evaluated to avoid these hazards. 

Learn more about choosing the correct slip-resistant footwear here. 

6. Ensuring Proper Lighting

Poor lighting will prevent people from seeing hazards, ultimately leading to increased accidents and injuries. To avoid this, ensure all walkways and work areas are properly lit with artificial and/or natural lighting, and use proper illumination in staircases, walkways, ramps and hallways.

Cost of Slips Trips and Falls in the Workplace

Statistics show slipping and tripping to be the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces. In fact, slips and trips occur approximately every 3 minutes in the EU and are a costly legal liability.

Nowadays, a small injury from slipping on a wet floor can result in legal action and a large pay-out. In addition to the incalculable cost to the victim (lost income, pain suffered, reduced quality of life, etc.), the HSE have reported that slips and trips cost employers over £500m per year. Also, recent research shows that workplace slips and trips result in employers spending over £73m annually on employee leave.

For more tips from our experts, check out our blog page or get in touch with any questions you may have about slips and trips at your workplace. 

–Written by Kate, for Morsafe Supplies.