Why does it matter

Most slips occur in wet or contaminated conditions and most trips are due to poor housekeeping. The solutions are often simple and cost effective, a suitable assessment of the risks should identify the necessary controls and these should include (in no particular order):

  • prevention of contamination
  • management of spillages and cleaning regimes
  • effective matting systems
  • choice of suitable footwear
  • design of workplace and work activities
  • maintenance of plant and the work environment
  • specification of appropriate flooring
  • housekeeping
  • effective training and supervision

Did you know?

Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work and can happen almost anywhere. 95% of major slips result in broken bones and they can also be the initial cause for a range of other types of accident such as a fall from height.

Slips and trips are responsible for, on average:

  • over a third of all reported major injuries
  • 20% of over-3-day injuries to employees
  • 2 fatalities per year
  • 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public that happen in workplaces
  • cost to employers £512 million per year (lost production and other costs)
  • cost to health service £133 million per year
  • incalculable human cost
  • more major injuries in manufacturing and in the service sectors than any other cause.

Latest slip and trip accident statistics

The biggest barriers to putting the problems right include:

  • People not taking the risks seriously.
  • Little understanding of the causes of slipping.
  • Thinking that slips and trips are inevitable.
  • Poor application of risk assessment and management controls.

But simple cost effective measures can reduce these accidents!

What else do I need to know?

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2021-05-07