Slips and Trips in the workplace are not funny.

I’m sure many of us have at some time laughed at comedy sketches, cartoons, and viral videos showing someone slipping on a wet floor or tripping over an obstacle. While these incidents may seem amusing on screen, the reality of slips and trips at work is far from funny. Despite advances in workplace safety and increased awareness of health and safety regulations, one type of accident continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal workplace injuries: slips, trips and falls. Here concerning ourselves with STFs on the same level as opposed to falls from height which is the biggest killer in the workplace, but well behind STFs in the number of non-fatal injuries.

Wet floors are a common cause of slips and trips in workplace

Why Slips & Trips are a serious concern

These seemingly minor incidents can have serious consequences, resulting in injuries ranging from bruises and sprains to fractures, long-term disability, and lost working time. In some cases, severe injuries can lead to permanent disability or fatality. The impact goes beyond physical harm. Injured employees may face long recovery times, loss of income, and emotional stress. Employers also bear the burden through increased insurance premiums, compensation claims, lost productivity, legal liabilities and damage to company reputation. Understanding the impact of slips and trips and taking practical steps to prevent them can save lives and reduce costs.

According to data provided by the HSE Health & Safety Executive) and the LFS (Labour Force Survey) 133,000 workers sustained a workplace non-fatal injury after they “slipped, tripped or fell on the same level” each year, on average, across 2022/23 to 2024/25. 46,000 of these injuries caused more than three days’ absence from work. 37,000 caused more than seven days’ absence from work and 1,005,000 working days were lost a year, on average.

Real-Life Example

A nurse was working in a carpeted office and left her office about 12.30 to go to lunch. Walked out onto a smooth vinyl floor as smooth vinyl is perceived to be easy to clean – not usual time for it to be cleaned as lot of people about at that time of day. Either been a spillage or change of staff or something else to change usual procedure - Been wet mopped possibly for some sort of spillage.

Anyway, she slipped and slid across the corridor and hit the wall on other side and broke her ankle – a rather bad spiral fracture and ended up losing her foot. Eventually resulted in her losing her leg in sections further and further up her leg until above her knee. Had 35 operations, several amputations and was a very simple slip with nothing else involved no machinery, heights - all could have been preventable.

Possible measures - Not clean at that time of day, barriers round the wet area and left dry area to walk around, pop into each office and let them know when walk out onto wet floor (something they didn’t do in this case). Putting wet floor signs not enough in this scenario as too late by time chance to read them had slipped already.

Common causes of Slips & Trips at work

Understanding the causes of workplace slips and trips is the first step towards prevention.

Wet or Contaminated Floors

Spilled liquids, cleaning products, rainwater, and oil can create dangerous surfaces. Without proper cleaning procedures and warning signage, employees are at increased risk of slipping.

Poor Housekeeping

Cluttered walkways, trailing cables, boxes, and equipment left in access routes can easily cause someone to trip.

Uneven Surfaces

Damaged flooring, loose carpets, potholes, and uneven ground can create hidden hazards both indoors and outdoors.

Poor Lighting

Inadequate lighting makes it difficult for workers to spot obstacles, changes in floor level, or potential hazards.

Inappropriate Footwear

Employees who wear unsuitable footwear may have reduced grip and stability, particularly in environments where floors can become wet or slippery.

Effective ways to prevent slips and trips in the workplace

Maintain Good Housekeeping Standards

Keeping work areas tidy and free from obstacles is one of the simplest and most effective safety measures. This involves storing tools and materials properly, securing cables and cords away from walkways and removing clutter and waste daily.

Implement Regular Inspections and repairs

Routine workplace inspections help identify hazards before they cause injuries. This particularly includes ensuring floor surfaces provide adequate traction and fixing cracks, holes or loose tiles as soon as they are reported.

Clean Spills Immediately

Any spill should be addressed as soon as possible, with appropriate warning signs used until the area is safe. Provide absorbent mats to soak up worse areas, especially near entrances to reduce water spreading over floors.

Improve Lighting

Well-lit workplaces allow employees to identify and avoid hazards more easily. Replace faulty bulbs quickly and consider use of motion sensors or automatic lights in less frequented areas.

Provide Appropriate Footwear

Where necessary, employers should ensure employees have access to suitable slip-resistant footwear and provide guidelines on appropriate footwear for specific tasks.

Deliver Workplace Safety Training

Training helps employees recognise hazards, understand reporting procedures, and take responsibility for maintaining a safe environment with safe walking practices.

The role of Management and Safety Culture

Workplace safety is everyone's responsibility. Employers, managers, and employees all play a role in reducing the risk of slips and trips. Encouraging hazard reporting, conducting regular risk assessments, and promoting safety awareness can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring. Management should ensure they allocate resources for maintenance and safety equipment and consider recognising and rewarding safe behaviour.

When employees understand the importance of identifying and addressing potential hazards, workplaces become safer and more efficient.

Real-Life Example

A manufacturing company noticed a rise in slip-related injuries during rainy seasons. After investigating, they found wet floors near entrances were the main cause. The company installed high-absorbency mats, placed clear warning signs, and improved drainage outside the building. They also held training sessions on safe walking and proper footwear. Within six months, slip incidents dropped by 70%, showing how targeted actions can make a difference.

Conclusion

Although slips and trips are often portrayed as humorous incidents in popular culture, the reality is very different. Slips and trips at work are not funny because they can cause serious injuries, emotional distress, financial costs, and operational disruption.

By recognising the risks, implementing effective safety measures, and fostering a proactive safety culture, organisations can protect their workforce. Investing in preventative measures is tends to be far less expensive than dealing with the consequences of an accident.

Slips, trips and falls are just one of the topics we cover in delivering our IOSH Managing Safely course in Burnley. Delivered over 3 days and currently running with an attractive offer of when you buy 2 or more places on the same date course it will only cost £355.00 each for those learners as opposed to the normal price of £395.00 per learner. See our website for more details www.penninepartnership.com