Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace

Slips, Trips, and Falls in Numbers

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports alarming rates of slip, trip, and fall incidents in 2022. Their most recent data show that slips, trips, and falls are among the top causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the workplace:

• Fatal Injuries – The rate of work-related fatalities caused by slips, trips, and falls was up by 1.8% in 2022 (equating to 865 cases).
• Non-Fatal Injuries – Slips, trips, and falls cases ranked third among the top employer-reported workplace injuries in 2022, involving days away from work.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Slips, trips, and falls can happen due to many reasons—from uneven working surfaces to unsafe ladder positions. Knowing the causes can help managers assess risk factors and devise ways to prevent them.

Here are the causes and risk factors for each:

Slips

• Wet spills (e.g., water, mud, grease, oil, food, blood, etc.)
• Dry product spills (e.g., powder, dust, wood chips, granules, plastic wraps)
• Weather hazards (e.g., ice, snow)
• Concrete, ceramic tile, or marble floors
• Sloped or uneven walking surfaces
• Wet, muddy, greasy shoes
• Ramps or planks without skid- or slip-resistant surfaces
• Climbing ladders

Trips

• Clutter on the floor
• Obstructed view
• Poor lighting
• Uncovered cables, wires, hoses, and extension cords
• Open drawers, cabinets, doors, etc.
• Uneven walkways
• Unmarked steps or ramps
• Missing floor tiles and bricks

Falls

• Weak or damaged ladders
• Ledges without proper railing
• Carrying heavy objects
• Failure to use guardrails on scaffolding
• Unprotected edges
• Unsafely positioned ladders
• Misused fall protection and height access equipment

Slips, Trips, and Falls Hazards

To give you a comprehensive idea, here’s a list of the most frequently occurring injuries associated with slips, trips, and falls hazards:

• Sprains and strains – When a person slips or trips and tries to catch themselves or regain balance, they may twist or stretch their muscles or ligaments, leading to sprains or strains.
• Fractures and broken bones – Falling from a height or landing forcefully on a hard surface can cause fractures or breaks in bones of the wrists, hips, and ankles.
• Contusions and bruises – Impacts with the ground or objects during a fall can cause contusions, commonly known as bruises, from damaged blood vessels beneath the skin.
• Head injuries – Falls that involve striking the head on a hard surface can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can range from mild concussions to more severe cases.
• Cuts and lacerations – Falls may involve contact with sharp or rough objects, leading to cuts and lacerations.
• Back and spinal cord injuries (SCI) – Falls that involve landing on the back or experiencing a jarring impact can cause damage to the spine, such as herniated discs, spinal fractures, or spinal cord injuries.
• Neck injuries – These are sometimes a result of spinal injuries or damage to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the neck.

OSHA Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards 1910 Subpart D (Walking-Working Surfaces) provides general standards for walking-working surfaces, such as passageways, warehouses, storage rooms, service rooms, and working areas.

The 1910.22 Regulations outline several points for safe working surfaces, including the following:

• Keep workroom floors clean, orderly, and dry.
• Provide safe means of entering and exiting from walking surfaces.
• Inspect the working surface to keep it in good condition.
• Repair hazardous floors as soon as possible.

7 Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Fortunately, most slip, trip, and fall incidents are avoidable. By using the right safety tools and training employees, companies can prevent these incidents from happening. Here are some ways to prevent slips, trips, and falls in the workplace:

How to Prevent Slips Trips and Falls in the Workplace

1. Practicing good housekeeping – A slip-free workspace begins with housekeeping. Removing clutter helps tidy up the floor and makes it walkable for everyone in the workplace.
2. Providing adequate lighting in walking areas – Workers can navigate through spaces better if there is enough light. Given this, it’s best to place proper lighting in access and egress points such as halls, ramps, stairs, and exits.
3. Installing safety signs – Doing so warns people about walking in hazardous spaces to keep them safe. For example, construction safety uses warning lines, control zones, and designated areas to mark which areas are passable or restricted.
4. Cleaning spills immediately – Proper cleaning ensures that the floor is free from hazardous elements so that people can walk safely. To keep water from the floor, you may also consider various dewatering methods and equipment such as a sump pump.
5. Making sure proper footwear is worn – Non-slip shoes with good traction protect workers from static electricity, falling objects, explosions, exposure to hazardous substances, and other risks.
6. Maintaining and improving floor quality – Modifying the floor space can go a long way to ensure safety from slips, trips, and falls. Fall protection can be improved by inspecting floors regularly and investing in non-slippery flooring options, among others.
7. Implementing safety plans and protocols – A well-thought-out safety plan cements all efforts in promoting fall protection, especially in high-risk workspaces. This plan must include in-depth risk assessments, safety standards and practices, training, regular inspections, equipment guidelines, and toolbox talks.

OSHA provides guidelines on safe working surfaces that companies can integrate into their safety plan (check this table for the distance requirements for fall protection). Also, OSHA includes specifications for safety equipment such as harnesses, lines, safety nets, stair railings, handrails, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).