As an expert in workplace safety, I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of slips, trips, and falls. These seemingly minor accidents can result in serious injuries, costly lawsuits, and damaged reputations for businesses. But what many people don't realize is that these incidents are often preventable. By understanding the contributing factors to slips, trips, and falls, we can take a common-sense approach to reduce the risk without adding significant costs to our businesses.
The biggest contributing factor to slips, trips, and falls is the environment. There are many elements in the environment that can increase this risk. For example, spills must be cleaned up immediately, wet floors should be clearly marked with appropriate signage, and uneven levels should be safely accessed through the use of ramps, handrails, and adequate lighting. A lack of lighting must also be addressed immediately to prevent accidents.
Both slips and trips are the result of an involuntary or unexpected change in contact between feet and the ground or walking surface. This fact highlights the importance of good cleaning practices, high-quality walking surfaces (such as floors), proper footwear selection, and walking at an appropriate pace to prevent falls. Factors that can influence slips, trips, and falls include wet surfaces, stairs and steps (especially those that go down), vehicles (especially those that come out), ice or snow, walkways, uneven surfaces, floor cleaning practices, entrances and exits, bathrooms, and the absence of hazards. This means that not only employees but also customers, contractors, and members of the public may be exposed to this common risk.
In retail stores specifically, factors that can contribute to slips, trips, and falls include wet surfaces, stairs and steps (especially those that go down), vehicles (especially those that come out), entrances and exits, floor cleaning practices, food spills, cold storage areas, store aisles, the absence of hazards, and ice or snow. As we all know, time is money in the retail industry, and there is no time for unpleasant accidents that can result in lifelong injuries for employees and costly consequences for businesses. According to a recent report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries in the workplace. This is why it is crucial for businesses to prioritize safety and provide proper training for their employees.
Our slip, trip, and fall e-learning course can be customized to meet the specific policies and procedures of your organization, ensuring that your staff understands how to prevent these accidents from occurring. In industries such as construction or manufacturing, factors that can contribute to slips, trips, and falls include ladders and rungs (especially those that go down), wet surfaces, vehicles (especially those that come out), ice or snow, uneven surfaces, walkways, cables, floor cleaning practices, pallets, and entrances and exits. In these environments, it is common for companies to have a dress code that includes rubber boots to prevent the spread of bacteria on the floor. In public administration settings, factors that can contribute to slips, trips, and falls include stairs and steps (especially those that go down), uneven surfaces, wet surfaces, ice or snow, vehicles (especially those that come out), walkways, entrances and exits, parking lots, and outdoor areas.
To further improve safety and reduce the risk of falls in these areas, measures such as coating or replacing floors, installing rugs or pressure-sensitive abrasive strips, or using paint coatings with abrasive filler or metal/synthetic covers can be implemented. In healthcare settings, factors that can contribute to slips, trips, and falls include wet surfaces, walkways, stairs and steps (especially when descending), floor cleaning practices, ice or snow, uneven surfaces, restroom areas, entrances and exits, vehicles (especially those leaving), and outdoor areas. As healthcare professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients and staff by implementing proper protocols and training to prevent these accidents from occurring. Slips occur when there is very little friction or traction between the footwear and the walking surface.
Tripping occurs when your foot hits an object, causing you to lose your balance and eventually fall. In total, slips and trips cost businesses £512 million a year, the National Health Service £133 million, and result in incalculable costs for human life. By understanding the contributing factors to these accidents and taking proactive measures to prevent them, we can create a safer environment for everyone.
