Slips, Trips & Falls

There is a difference between a slip, trip and a fall. Learn what the difference is and learn how to identify and prevent each of them.

A slip is when you do not have enough traction or friction between your shoes and the surfaces you are walking on.

What can you do to prevent slips?

• Do not rush - take your time.
• Wear proper-fitting footwear that is appropriate for the work you are doing.
• Always pay attention to your work setting.
• Check your surroundings, even if it is a regular everyday activity.
• Have good lighting. Do outdoor work during the day. Use a flashlight when entering dark areas.
• Clean all spills immediately.
• If mats are necessary, use pressure-sensitive adhesive to keep them from moving.
• Keep one hand free to balance or break a fall.
• Take shorter strides and have feet pointing slightly outwards to improve balance.
• Paint smooth floors with sand set in the mixture.
• Practice good housekeeping.

Examples of things that can cause slippery surfaces:

• Frost, ice, black ice or snow
• Waxed floors
• Spills of any kind
• Food or water
• Wetness – such as mud
• Smooth, cold surfaces (metal stairs)
• Loose items such as gravel, debris, mats

A trip can happen when your foot or body part hits something, and it causes you to lose your balance.

What can you do to prevent trips?

• Always pay attention to your work setting.
• Check your surroundings, even if it is a regular everyday activity.
• Remove obstacles & clutter from walkways.
• Do not rush - take your time.
• Have good lighting.
• Always close filing cabinets or storage drawers.
• Ensure items you carry do not obstruct your view.
• If you are carrying or pushing anything, make sure you can see clearly in all directions.
• Cover cables and cords that cross walkways.
• Use handrails when using stairs
• Use good housekeeping practices.
• Keep one hand free to balance or break a fall.

Examples of things that can cause trips:

Uneven surfaces

• Uneven stairs, walkways, or  doorways
• Wrinkled carpets or mats
• Snow or frozen ice ruts

Objects

• Tools
• Cables or cords
• Materials on the floor (wood, tubing, clothing, books, buckets)
• Open cabinet drawers
• Poor lighting

A slip or a trip is one way you can fall. About 60% of slips and trips end in a fall. Falls can happen while walking, from low or high elevations. The height you fall from and the surface you land on can increase the severity of an injury.

What can you do to prevent falls?

• Take your time and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Check your worksite for any potential hazards.
• Make sure you have proper lighting.
• Always use a ladder or step ladder to reach high shelves (never stand on a chair or box).
• Make sure you ladders, platforms or other equipment are in safe working condition.
• Use guardrails, warning devices for open sides, edges, and openings.
• Use your hands to provide three-point contact when getting in and out of vehicles, equipment or climbing ladders.
• When working above 1.2 metres, wear a safety harness or personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Take breaks to stay alert.

Examples of things that can cause falls:

• When coming down from equipment or from a platform to the ground.
• When stepping into an unmarked hole.
• When using an unbalanced ladder or makeshift ladder extension.
• When leaning off a ladder or platform causing the item to become unbalanced.
• When slipping off the side or edge of worksite.