Proactive Steps to Identify and Reduce Slips, Trips and Falls

Proactively identifying and addressing the causes of slips, trips, and falls reduces injuries, prevents financial losses and fosters a culture of safety.

• By Dan Ankney
• Sep 10, 2024

In any workplace environment — whether a storefront, manufacturing plant, or loading dock — the risk of slips, trips and falls is a constant concern. These incidents can lead to injury, loss in production and costly fines. Reducing these risks requires not only constant vigilance but also proactively putting measures in place to address them. With a proactive mindset, organizations can foster safer working environments, prevent injuries and develop a culture of responsibility.

Slips, trips and falls at the entrances and customer-facing areas are top concerns for many EHS members. However, “back of house” operations — where leaks and spills are common — also raise significant safety concerns for the employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips and falls are the third most common type of workplace injury behind overexertion and bodily reaction as well as contact with objects and equipment. This high occurrence of incidences results in substantial financial loss. Fines from OSHA, workers’ compensation claims and lost work time/production can all result from an injury. 

• The maximum OSHA fine for a serious violation is $15,625 per offense.
• The average workers’ compensation claims for a slip, trip or fall incident can be as high as $50,000.
• Indirect costs like reduced productivity or lost work time can also be associated.

Let’s identify the top two contributors to slips, trips, and falls and discuss the most common causes of these hazards, how to identify them, and the proactive measures organizations can take to overcome them. 

Wet or Slippery Surfaces

Wet or slippery surfaces are one of the most common contributors to slip injuries. Common causes of this hazard can include accidental spills, leaking/spraying equipment, rain/snow events or improperly maintained textured walkway surfaces. During your routine inspections, there are several considerations to help identify these problems early and implement solutions before an incident occurs.

• Accidental spills. Accidental spills can happen anywhere, and it’s almost impossible to predict when they will occur. However, by identifying possible contributors to accidental spills, solutions can be placed in proximity to these areas. These cleanup measures within close proximity to the spill will allow for quicker response. The best way to identify these potential hazards is to observe where fluid is stored or dispensed. At these locations, spill cleanup materials like spill kits and absorbents should be readily available and visible for easy deployment.

• Old and leaky machinery. The adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is great, but there should be an extension to this statement that says, “unless it’s leaking.” The cost of a slip injury to a business is large; leaky machines are a top contributor to those slippery surfaces. A few drops of oil can easily be sprayed and placed in an area where employees travel. This can then be tracked throughout the facility to places where one wouldn’t expect oil to be present, such as stairs, restrooms and office spaces. In the meantime, until equipment can be repaired, absorbents can be an essential tool to act as a blocker between the oil and the floor below. Placing white absorbent mats in areas that utilize oil and other fluids can act as a first leak indicator and trigger a work order for maintenance on that device. It is also important that inspection of areas in proximity to the equipment is performed to identify fluids in walkway areas. Additionally, in areas where equipment is present, walkway mats that are either gritted or absorbent can act as an aid to remove these fluids from employees’ shoes before they can track them to other areas of the facility.

• Prepare for the weather ahead. Heavy rain or snow events are a constant hazard outside of facilities, but they can also be a problem inside as well. As employees come in from outside, they track snow and rain in through the entrances, cafeterias, breakrooms and operational floors. Additionally, during heavy weather events, flooding can also contribute to the infiltration of rainwater. It is imperative to view the 10-day forecast and prepare ahead of time with additional safety measures. Observe the traffic patterns of the employees during their day. Identify the exits and entrances that are used most often. Notice where umbrellas, coats and boots are placed. Monitor where employees travel right after coming inside. These places could be the break room, restroom or manufacturing floor. Being able to understand where employees take their first 20 to 30 steps once entering the building can target the areas where rainwater will most likely fall off their clothes and shoes. The main solution is to have entrance mats at all entrances, with enough walk-off coverage. About 15 feet of walk-off for a mat ensures it can capture the water from employees’ feet. This is why the observation of traffic patterns is important. If within a few feet after walking in most employees turn, then the mat should follow. This means it may require a custom, modular or cut-to-fit style mat for various locations. Finally, having a designated storage location for boots, coats and umbrellas where water runoff can be contained will offer additional protection.

• Lastly, for any area that cannot avoid being wet, a gritted texture can be applied to help add traction. The gritted texture can be used in many ways: as a painted surface, a hard fiberglass sheet that can be applied to walkways or stair treads or even an anti-fatigue mat for stationary work. It is important to note that not all gritted textures are created equal. So select a strong material that will handle the worst-case conditions. Even after selecting the most suitable grit and application style, continually inspect and maintain the surfaces. There is a use life for gritted textures and many products out in the field have been in use long past their effectiveness. Various scientific tests can be performed to determine if the gritted surface needs to be replaced, but these are expensive and should be reserved for when other practical tests have been exhausted. A good rule of thumb is to look for three indicators that can be checked during routine inspections to help assess the surface. First, look for noticeably worn spots, which usually will be where traffic is most frequent. Next, lightly feel the area where traffic is high and compare it to a section not frequently traveled. Lastly, if dirt and debris are noticeable on the surface and cannot be removed even after cleaning, this is a sign the gritted surface is worn. If one or more of these indicators are found, it may be a good time to invest in experimental testing or simply make the determination to revamp the textured area.

Uneven Floors

Everyone has experienced a time when they were walking along a sidewalk, about to enter a store and tripped due to a raised portion of the sidewalk. Uneven floors are not only an exterior problem but also an interior one. An uneven surface can be defined as a variation of quarter-inch or more on a walking/working surface. Some areas where this hazard may be present include sidewalks, inside where the floor has been damaged or transition areas where one floor is raised from another without a threshold. These areas can be addressed by ensuring that all entrances have proper transitions, all damaged floors are repaired, and all sidewalks are on an even plane. However, these repairs are not always feasible as they are costly and may cause downtime at a facility. In the meantime, high-visibility floor tape and paint may be used to help indicate possible trip hazards. Additionally, controlling the flow of traffic to less hazardous areas via a secondary door or to an area with an even floor surface can be helpful. During routine inspections, follow the flow of your employees’ traffic patterns and attempt to walk in various patterns. For example, try shuffling feet or taking long strides to help identify possible hazards that might be missed with your normal walking patterns. If tape and paint are used for indication, ensure that they are routinely inspected for wear. Another option is to get employees involved by offering incentives to help identify and report these trip hazards. Not only will the equivalent of many “mini-inspections” be performed, but it will also gain perspective and foster a safety-oriented workplace.

In conclusion, addressing the risk of slips, trips and falls in any workplace environment — whether in the front-facing areas or back-of-house operations — requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. By identifying hazards and implementing targeted measures, such as repairing leaky machinery, preparing for weather conditions, applying gritted textures and maintaining clear walkways, organizations can significantly reduce the occurrence of these incidents. This not only helps in preventing injuries and avoiding substantial financial losses due to fines and workers’ compensation claims, but also fosters a culture of safety and responsibility among employees. A proactive mindset, supported by regular inspections and employee involvement, is crucial for creating a safer and more productive workplace.

This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.