SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS PREVENTION

Identifying Hazards, Applying Controls, and Protecting Every Worker on Site

Presented by HSEDocuments.com

Aligned with ISO 45001:2018 | OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D | ILO Code of Practice on Safety & Health

Training Edition 2026 | Rev. 01 | Free Global HSE/QHSE Documents & Resources

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Session Agenda

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Introduction & why STF hazards matter

2

Session objectives

3

Legal & regulatory framework

4

Hazard categories & root causes

5

Hierarchy of controls for STF prevention

6

Housekeeping, footwear & PPE measures

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Roles, responsibilities & reporting

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Permits, documentation, audits & KPIs

Introduction & Background

WHY THIS TOPIC MATTERS

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What are Slips, Trips & Falls (STF)?

STF incidents occur when a worker loses footing (slip), catches a foot on an obstruction (trip), or descends unintentionally from height or level (fall). They range from same-level falls to falls from height involving ladders, scaffolds, or open edges.

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Globally, STF incidents are consistently cited among the leading causes of workplace injury (ILO / OSHA industry data)

Same-Level

Most STF injuries happen on level, walkable surfaces — not from height

Figures are general/industry-typical indicators, not exact statistics for any single organization.

Scope of This Session

• Applies to all work areas: offices, sites, warehouses, plants & public zones
• Covers same-level slips/trips and falls from height
• Includes housekeeping, floor conditions, footwear, lighting & signage
• Relevant to all workers, supervisors, visitors & contractors

Session Objectives

BY THE END OF THIS SESSION, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO

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Identify

Common slip, trip, and fall hazards across work areas

Explain

Applicable legal, standard, and company requirements

Apply

The hierarchy of controls to reduce STF risk

Demonstrate

Correct footwear, PPE, and housekeeping practices

Comply

With reporting procedures for hazards and incidents

Conduct

Basic walkway and workplace STF inspections

Legal & Regulatory Requirements

STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK

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Framework

Requirement Focus

Company policy alignment: confirm site-specific procedure numbers with your HSE department before use.

Hazard Categories & Root Causes

WHAT CAUSES SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS

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Physical — Surfaces

Wet, oily, icy or uneven floors; loose mats; poor drainage

Physical — Obstructions

Trailing cables, clutter, boxes, and blocked walkways

Environmental

Poor lighting, glare, weather exposure, outdoor terrain

Structural

Damaged stairs, missing handrails, unmarked level changes

Human Factors

Incorrect footwear, rushing, distraction, fatigue

Working at Height

Unsecured ladders, unprotected edges, damaged platforms

Consequence of non-compliance: same-level falls, fractures, sprains, lost-time injury, and potential fatality from falls at height.

Hierarchy of Controls for STF Prevention

CORE TECHNICAL CONTENT — PART 1

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Elimination

Remove the hazard entirely — reroute walkways away from spill-prone or uneven zones

Substitution

Replace slippery flooring with slip-resistant materials or coatings

Engineering Controls

Install handrails, non-slip strips, adequate lighting, drainage & ramps

Administrative Controls

Housekeeping schedules, signage, walkway inspections, safe-access procedures

PPE

Slip-resistant footwear as the last line of defense

Most reliable

Least reliable (relies on individual behavior)

Control Measures — Housekeeping & Surfaces

CORE TECHNICAL CONTENT — PART 2

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1

Clean spills immediately; place wet-floor signage during and after cleaning

2

Keep walkways, aisles, and exits clear of boxes, cables, and stored material

3

Repair or replace damaged flooring, mats, and uneven transitions promptly

4

Route or cover trailing cables and hoses away from pedestrian paths

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Maintain adequate lighting on stairs, ramps, and outdoor walkways

Best Practice

Assign zone-based housekeeping ownership so every walkway has a named responsible person, checked each shift.

Control Measures — Footwear & PPE

CORE TECHNICAL CONTENT — PART 3 (MANDATORY PPE)

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Slip-Resistant Safety Footwear

Rated soles for slippery, oily, or wet surfaces

Hard Hat

Required where overhead hazards accompany fall risk

High-Visibility Vest

Improves visibility on outdoor or low-light walkways

Fall Protection Harness

Required for ladder, scaffold, or open-edge work at height

Named PPE items above each carry a dedicated icon per site PPE-matrix requirements. Confirm exact spec with your HSE department.

PPE is the LAST line of defense — engineering and administrative controls must be applied first.

Roles & Responsibilities

RACI — WHO DOES WHAT

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Responsibility

Management

HSE Team

Supervisor

Worker

R = Responsible A = Accountable C = Consulted I = Informed

Permits, Signage & Documentation

REQUIRED FORMS & RECORDS

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STF Risk Assessment Form

Documents hazards, controls, and residual risk per work area

Housekeeping Inspection Checklist

Daily/weekly walkway and floor condition record

Wet Floor / Caution Signage Log

Tracks placement and removal of temporary warning signs

Ladder & Working-at-Height Permit

Required before ladder or elevated-platform work begins

Hazard / Near-Miss Report Form

Worker-initiated report for unsafe walkway conditions

Corrective Action Tracker

Logs findings from inspections through to closure

Editable versions of these forms and templates are available free at HSEDocuments.com.

Emergency Response & Reporting Flow

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AFTER AN STF INCIDENT

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Immediate Actions

• Do not move a seriously injured person — call for first aid / emergency services
• Secure the area to prevent further incidents (cordon, signage)
• Provide first aid within trained-responder capability only
• Preserve the scene for investigation where safe to do so

Reporting Flow

Worker

▼

Supervisor

▼

HSE Team

▼

Management

Common Non-Conformances — Lessons Learned

GENERIC CASE EXAMPLE (NON-ATTRIBUTED)

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What Happened

A worker at a generic facility slipped on a wet corridor floor where a cleaning crew had mopped without placing caution signage. The worker sustained a minor ankle sprain and lost several working days.

Root Causes

• No wet-floor signage placed during cleaning
• Corridor lighting was below adequate level
• No documented housekeeping schedule in place

Lessons Learned

• Enforce mandatory signage during & after cleaning
• Schedule cleaning during low-footfall periods where possible
• Add corridor lighting checks to routine inspections
• Retrain cleaning staff on housekeeping SOP

Inspection, Monitoring & KPIs

TRACKING COMPLIANCE OVER TIME

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Inspection Checklist Items

Walkways clear of obstructions & trailing cables

Floor surfaces dry, intact, and slip-resistant coating in good condition

Handrails, stair nosing & floor markings intact

Wet-floor / caution signage available at cleaning points

Lighting levels adequate on stairs & walkways

Ladders & access equipment inspected and tagged

Key Performance Indicators

• STF incident rate per 200,000 hours worked
• Housekeeping inspection completion rate
• Time-to-close corrective actions
• Near-miss reports submitted per month

Do's and Don'ts

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DO

• Report spills, damaged flooring & trip hazards immediately
• Wear correct slip-resistant footwear at all times
• Use handrails on stairs and ramps
• Keep walkways and exits clear at all times
• Use proper ladders — never improvise with chairs or boxes
• Follow signage and cordoned areas

DON'T

• Don't walk on wet or freshly mopped floors without signage
• Don't leave cables or hoses across walkways
• Don't rush on stairs or carry loads blocking your view
• Don't ignore damaged flooring or missing handrails
• Don't climb on furniture, shelving, or unsecured ladders
• Don't remove or ignore caution signage

Summary & Key Takeaways

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STF hazards are among the most common workplace injury causes worldwide

Apply the hierarchy of controls — engineering & administrative first, PPE last

Consistent housekeeping is the single most effective daily control

Everyone shares responsibility — from workers to management

Report hazards and near misses immediately — don’t wait for an incident

Regular inspection and KPI tracking sustain long-term improvement

Knowledge Check

ANSWER KEY IN SPEAKER NOTES

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• Q1. Which control level should be applied FIRST — PPE or Elimination?
• Q2. True or False: Trailing cables across a walkway are an acceptable temporary condition.
• Q3. Who is responsible for reporting a hazard on a walkway?
• Q4. What must be placed during and after mopping a floor?
• Q5. True or False: Improvised ladders (chairs/boxes) are acceptable for short tasks.

Stay Safe. Stay Compliant.

Slips, Trips & Falls Prevention — Every Step, Every Shift, Every Site.

Visit HSEDocuments.com for free, editable HSE/QHSE/QA-QC forms, templates & resources — worldwide.

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