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Slips and trips often get a few good laughs, so these incidents are often overlooked in the workplace. However, slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common causes of injuries for workers. 

Ground clutter, uneven or slippery floor surfaces, poor lighting, or lack of signage all contribute to thousands of workers getting injured every year. It is important to define these terms in order to better understand how they can be prevented. 

Fall – Can generally be caused by a person’s sudden loss of balance. 

Slip – A slip can be caused by factors such as wet or frozen surfaces

Trip – Commonly happens due to overlooked objects lying on the ground

The role of the PCBU
PCBUs must oversee the health and safety risks associated with slips and trips, and are responsible for minimising if not eliminating these risks in a reasonably practicable manner. Such as:

– Identifying hazards
– Making a proactive assessment of risks associated with these hazards
– Managing risk control measures
– Reviewing the implementation of the risk control measures

How to reduce slips and trips in the workplace
Here are some methods of addressing and managing slips and trips in the workplace.

Eliminate the risk
Take control of your work area from the design stage and carefully plan changes in floor levels.

Substitution
Design floors with a more slip-resistant surface.

Isolation
Barricade access to high-risk areas and make sure the necessary signs and measures are taken when cleaning or other activities are taking place.

Engineering Controls
Make your floors more slip-resistant by applying appropriate treatments and illuminate your work area. Plan your drainage system well to suit your business’ requirements.

Administrative controls
Increase training and supervision measures.  See to it that there is a checklist of the routine cleaning procedures.

Personal protective equipment
Safeguard your staff with slip-resistant footwear.

Keeping your workplace safe for you and your employees is a priority. The HazardCo App site review resource has a list of site housekeeping and material storage risk controls that should be put in place to mitigate the risk of slips and trips. 

If you would like more information, get in touch with our friendly HazardCo team – we’re always happy to help!