Many workers are injured annually due to falls on walking and working surfaces. These injuries account
for a significant percentage of lost-time injuries. Not only are slips, trips, and falls an economical loss,
they also account for a lot of pain and suffering and sometimes even death. It is important to understand
how slips, trips, and falls happen, how to identify hazards, and how to eliminate or minimize these
hazards.
Slips
Slips happen because of a lack of friction or traction between the
footwear we are wearing and the walking surface. Some common
causes of slips are:
Spills
Hazards created from weather (e.g., puddles, ice)
Surfaces that are wet or oily
Loose rugs or mats
Trips
Trips occur when your foot strikes or hits an object which causes
you to lose your balance. Common causes of tripping are:
Clutter on the floor (e.g., power cords, boxes)
Poor lighting
Uneven walking surfaces (e.g., carpeting, steps, thresholds)
Sudden change in slip resistance properties of walking
surfaces (e.g., wet floor or stepping from tiled to thick pile carpeted floors)
Falls
Falls can occur from a height or on surfaces that are on the same level. A fall can be the result of a slip
or a trip where your centre of gravity is shifted causing you to lose your balance. Preventive measures
should be taken to avoid slips and trips.
PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
WSPS.CA
