Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. These types of accidents can result in head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, sprained muscles, cuts, lacerations, and in some cases, even death.
Slips happen when there is too little friction or traction between the footwear and the walking surface. Trips happen when an individual loses their balance due to striking or hitting an object. Falls occur when an individual becomes too far off center of balance, whether it be the same level or a lower level. Here are a few key things to consider.
Housekeeping Issues
It is important to maintain proper housekeeping on all walking and working surfaces, and keep them free of obstacles. Spills, trash/debris on the floor, cords, cables, and open drawers are all areas of concern. Without good housekeeping practices and training, it is more likely that there will be an accident.
Conditions of Floors, Stairs, and Ladders
Uneven walking surfaces, surfaces with different traction, stairs, and ladders that are in poor condition, or no handrail, should be concerning.
Environmental Conditions
All types of precipitation can cause major slip hazards. No matter how well the areas may have been cleared, snow and ice may become an issue in some areas. Also, consider if the client has poor lighting in their facility. If the light in the client’s location is poor, it can make it difficult to see obstacles on walking surfaces and may cause injury.
By implementing safety practices and training, hazards that may cause slips, trips, and falls can be reduced.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
Last Updated on October 30, 2025
