Slips Trips and Falls

• Wet or slippery walking surfaces
• Trip hazards caused by cords, hoses, tools, or materials
• Uneven ground and changing surface conditions
• Poor lighting or low visibility
• Congested work areas and blocked pathways
• Falls during hurried movement or distracted walking

Slip, trip, and fall incidents often occur during routine activities when workers become comfortable with familiar work areas or fail to recognize changing surface conditions.

Walking surfaces can change rapidly during active operations. Rain, mud, ice, dust, debris, spilled liquids, cords, hoses, tools, uneven terrain, and temporary staging can quickly create unexpected hazards.

Outdoor utility work, warehouse operations, construction activities, and maintenance tasks frequently involve changing environments where footing conditions shift throughout the workday.

Congested work areas increase the risk of trips and collisions. Materials, pallets, hoses, extension cords, tools, barricades, and temporary equipment setups should not block walking paths or emergency access routes.

Lighting conditions also affect walking safety. Shadows, glare, low-light conditions, weather changes, and visual distractions can reduce a worker’s ability to recognize hazards early enough to react safely.

Workers often increase their pace during repetitive tasks, deliveries, weather exposure, shift changes, or emergency response situations. Rushing reduces awareness and increases the chance of missing hazards on the ground.

Footwear selection matters in changing environments. Mud, water, gravel, snow, smooth concrete, oily surfaces, and metal surfaces all affect traction differently.

Good housekeeping is one of the most effective ways to reduce slip, trip, and fall exposure. Small hazards become more dangerous when work areas are crowded, visibility is reduced, or workers are distracted by active operations nearby.

• Keep walking paths clear and organized.
• Watch for changing surface conditions throughout the shift.
• Secure cords, hoses, and temporary equipment when possible.
• Use extra caution during rain, snow, mud, or low-light conditions.
• Avoid rushing through congested work areas.
• Maintain good housekeeping around active operations.
• Wear footwear appropriate for the work environment.

• Have walking surface conditions changed during the operation?
• Are materials or equipment blocking normal walking paths?
• Could weather or lighting conditions reduce visibility?
• Are cords, hoses, or temporary setups creating trip hazards?
• Would workers recognize hazards quickly while carrying materials or equipment?