Housekeeping Safety · 2–5 min toolbox talk
Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention
A safety talk focused on slip, trip, and fall prevention, including changing surface conditions, housekeeping, footwear, cords, hoses, stairs, ladders, weather, and walking-path awareness.
Use this printed script for your tailgate or toolbox talk. Read through the hazards, script, and questions with your crew.
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“Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention”
Key Hazards
- Wet, oily, icy, muddy, dusty, or loose walking surfaces
- Trips from cords, hoses, tools, pallets, debris, or uneven surfaces
- Falls on stairs, ladders, ramps, platforms, or equipment steps
- Poor lighting or blocked visibility in walking areas
- Workers carrying loads that block their view
- Changing conditions that create new walking-surface hazards
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Slips, trips, and falls are common because walking surfaces change throughout the day. A clear path in the morning can become hazardous after work begins.
Workers should watch where they are walking and avoid distractions such as phones, paperwork, or conversations when moving through active areas.
Wet floors, ice, mud, oil, dust, gravel, leaves, and loose material should be cleaned, treated, marked, or avoided when possible.
Cords, hoses, tools, buckets, pallets, scrap, and materials should be routed or stored out of walkways.
Stairs, ramps, ladders, platforms, and equipment steps should be used with care. Handrails and three points of contact should be used where appropriate.
Footwear should match the work conditions. Worn soles, poor tread, or unsuitable footwear can increase slip risk.
Workers carrying loads should keep the walking path visible. If the load blocks the view, use help, a cart, or another method.
Slip, trip, and fall prevention depends on housekeeping, awareness, proper footwear, clear paths, and correcting walking-surface hazards before someone gets hurt.
Safety Reminders
- Watch the walking path.
- Keep walkways clear of cords, hoses, tools, and debris.
- Clean, mark, or report wet and slippery areas.
- Use handrails and three points of contact when needed.
- Wear footwear suited for the surface.
- Do not carry loads that block your view.
- Correct changing surface hazards as they appear.
Ask the Crew
- What slip, trip, or fall hazards are present right now?
- Are walkways clear and well lit?
- Are wet, icy, muddy, or loose surfaces controlled?
- Is footwear appropriate for the work area?
- Can workers see where they are walking while carrying materials?