Slips-Trips and Falls Prevention Guide
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Transcript of Slips-Trips and Falls Prevention Guide
Slips, trips and falls prevention
Queensland the Smart State
A little slip at work can have a big impact on your life.
A publication of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Further informationFor further general information on preventing slips, trips and falls, please contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland:
Telephone 1300 369 915
Website: www.deir.qld.gov.au
Telephone interpreter service: 13 14 50
The materials presented in this publication are distributed by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations as an information source only.
The information and data in this publication are subject to change without notice. The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations makes no statements, representations, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in this publication. This document is a guide only and must be read in conjunction with the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason.
© The State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) September 2007
DEI
R 07
/284
6
“I was carrying a full tray down the stairs. I guess I should have used the lift, but it was really busy
and I needed to save time. I slipped and injured my shoulder. It doesn’t hurt that much, but not
playing with Sally does.”
“I was drilling on the factory floor. I tripped on the extension cord and did my back in. I’ll be out of
action for weeks. Not just at work, but at home too.”
Introduction Each year more than 13,000 Queensland workers suffer an injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall costing Queensland businesses more than 256,000 lost work days and over $60 million in workers’ compensation payments.�
In addition to workers’ compensation costs, there are financial, physical and emotional costs for the injured worker and their family. A workplace injury often affects injured workers’ well being by restricting their usual home and leisure activities.
Simple and cost effective measures can reduce the number and severity of these injuries. This booklet aims to provide you with a basic understanding of what causes a slip or trip and provide you with some ideas on what you can do to stop these incidents occurring.
Slips, trips and fallsSlips, trips and falls can happen in any workplace. They can occur at the entry of a building, in the kitchen, in cold rooms, on loading docks and even as you walk outside the building.
More serious slips or trips together with the resulting falls may result in:• sprains or strains• broken bones when trying to break the fall• a back injury due to the sudden and forceful impact during a fall• burns if it occurs near hot surfaces or if the person is handling hot fluids• cuts if it occurs near sharp objects.
Causes of slip, trips and falls
There are various factors that contribute to the risk of slips and trips. Slips usually occur when there is a loss of grip between the shoe and the floor. This commonly occurs when there is a contaminant between the shoe and the floor. Trips occur when a person’s foot hits a low obstacle in the person’s path, causing a loss of balance. Often, the obstacle is not easily visible or noticed.
The following factors can contribute to the risk of slips and trips. It is usually a combination of these factors that create the risk of a slip or trip.
Contaminants
Contaminants can be considered as anything that ends up on a floor. Contaminants can be wet such as water, oil or grease, or dry such as dust, metal shavings, plastic bags or off-cuts. Preventing floor contaminants is one of the best things you can do to prevent slips.
Floor surfaces
Floor surfaces require sufficient grip to prevent slipping, especially in areas which may become wet or contaminated. The greater the thickness or viscosity of the contaminants, the greater the slip resistance of the flooring required to protect against slipping.
1 Associated payments include compensation payments ($38.3M), goods and services payments ($18.4M) and non-compensation
payments ($4.3M). Source: Queensland Employee Injury Database as at August 2007, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Slips, trips and falls prevention �
Cleaning
Cleaning affects every workplace and everyone in the workplace. Besides regular cleaning programs, everyone has a role keeping the work area clear and taking responsibility for their own spills.
Floors need to be cleaned properly to ensure that: • contaminants are effectively removed• a build up of cleaning product residue is avoided• the floor does not become too slippery• floors maintain slip resistant properties (of non-slip flooring).
Prompt attention to spills is also important in order to prevent slips.
Obstacles and other trip hazards
Trips most often occur because of uneven flooring or cluttered walkways with low obstacles which are not easily visible or noticed. Common examples of low obstacles include trailing cables, uneven edges to flooring, gratings or covers, loose mats or carpet tiles and changes of floor surface level.
Trips can be prevented by:• good housekeeping practices• ensuring the floor surface is in good order such as being free from holes, uneven surfaces, curled
up linoleum or carpet edges• avoiding any changes in floor surface level, or if this is not possible, highlighting these changes• providing adequate storage facilities.
Environment, including lighting
Poor lighting and distractions such as unfamiliar or unexpected loud noises, or extreme environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or heat, can impact a person noticing slip or trip hazards in their path. Adequate light levels without glare or shadowing is required to highlight potential slip or trip hazards. Other distractions, like those mentioned, should be minimised as much as possible.
People and activity
Work activities, the way the work is organised and attitudes to safety can affect the worker’s ability to see or think about where they are going. For example, people hurrying, carrying large objects, pushing high trolleys or talking on a mobile phone could contribute to the cause of a slip or trip.
Workers need to be able to maintain their balance when performing tasks and be able to recover if they slip or trip. For example, when handling loads, workers should have full view of where they need to travel and should also have a free hand to hold onto a rail when walking down steps.
Consideration should be given to:• individuals physical attributes such as vision, balance and agility• the work being carried out and how it is organised• who will be walking through the area, including the public.
� Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Footwear
Footwear plays an important role in reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls. Footwear should be: • suitable for the type of work and work environment • comfortable with an adequate non-slip sole and appropriate tread pattern• checked regularly to ensure treads are not worn away or clogged with contaminants.
Leads here, there and everywhere – Case StudyA worker carrying a box tripped and fell over an electrical lead that ran across the walkway in a manufacturing workshop. During the fall he hit his head and shoulder on the corner of a piece of equipment. He sustained a serious shoulder injury which required major surgery. The company was prosecuted and received a fine of $25,000. The injured worker was off work for three months and could not be replaced for this period due to a skilled labour shortage.
An inspection of the work area showed that:• electrical leads for equipment used near the walkway often ran across the walkway• lighting in the workshop was poor so he could not clearly see the electrical lead• workers often carried bulky items along the walkway, which obstructed their view of the
floor.
This incident could have been prevented by:• positioning power outlets nearer to the point of use, to eliminate leads trailing across the
walkway• providing adequate lighting in the workshop for safe movement and to highlight
obstructions on the floor reducing the size of the load being carried or providing mechanical aids, such as trolleys so that bulky items can be moved around the workshop without obstructing the workers vision.
Slips, trips and falls prevention �
Slippery kitchen floor – Case StudyTowards the end of a shift in a commercial kitchen, a worker slipped and fell sustaining serious burns after coming in contact with a tub of hot water. The tub of water was used for cleaning the floor at the end of the night. It was positioned beside the walkway near the deep fryer where in the same area several floor tiles were missing. This hollowed area allowed pooling of water and oil which was tracked throughout the kitchen. The kitchen floor was properly cleaned once at the end of the night. Workers were advised to wear enclosed shoes, however no advice was provided regarding the type of non-slip sole that should be worn.
The workplace was prosecuted and received a fine of $17,500. The injured worker was off work for two months and the workplace had to recruit and train a new employee to fill in for this period.
This incident could have been prevented by:• replacing the missing tiles to stop contaminants pooling on the floor• installing splash guards on the deep fryer to prevent oil splashing onto the floor• placing covers over the deep fryer when it was not in use to prevent workers coming into
contact with the hot oil• putting in place spills management procedures so that spills are immediately attended to • increasing the frequency of cleaning to minimise contaminants on the floor • implementing a suitable footwear policy so that all workers wear shoes that have a non-slip
sole.
How to manage slips, trips and falls risksThe simplest way of preventing slips, trips and falls injuries in your workplace is to develop a risk management plan which identifies, assesses, controls and monitors safety hazards and risks. The following information, together with the slips, trips and falls risk management tool and worksheet at the back of this booklet, will help you develop a risk management plan and record your assessments.
Identify hazards
Identifying hazards is the first step to determine exactly where slips, trips and falls can or have occurred in your workplace. You can find out this information by talking to workers and supervisors, inspecting the premises, and reviewing records such as incident and injury reports as well as workers’ compensation claims.
Another useful method is to sketch a layout of the work area and mark on it where slip and trip incidents or hazards have been reported.
Assess the risk
The next step is to assess the slip or trip risks. Usually it is a combination of factors that create the risk. Consider the risk assessment questions in the right hand column of the risk management tool to assist in determining the level of risk. The red and amber section of the risk management tool can be helpful to determine the level of risk.
� Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
As part of your assessment you should also consider:• how many people are exposed• the consequences of the slip or trip – a slip or trip with or without a fall can be more serious if it
occurs near hot, sharp or moving objects, or at a height, such as near stairs• how often the situation occurs.
Fix the problem
Look at the assessed risks and decide what needs to be done to eliminate or reduce the risks and how quickly these measures need to be implemented. There are six types of control strategies to eliminate or reduce the risks and they are listed below in order of their effectiveness.
Hierarchy of controls Examples
Eliminate the hazard Remove slip and trip hazards at the design stage such as eliminating changes in floor levels; installing more power outlets through the floor and ceiling to avoid trailing cords.
Substitution Resurface floors.
Isolation Limit access to high risk areas.
Minimise risk by redesign (engineering means)
Apply floor treatments to increase slip resistance; improve lighting; stop leaks from equipment or pipes; provide adequate drainage to prevent pooling of contaminants; clearly mark edges of steps and any changes in floor height.
Administrative controls Implement good housekeeping practices such as clear access ways; prompt spills management; use of signage or barricades for wet or slippery areas; training and supervision.
Personal protective equipment
Wear suitable footwear.
Look at all the options available to you and select controls that will best reduce the risks. Commonly, a range of controls may be needed.
If you are having trouble deciding what suitable controls are then read the green section of the slips, trips and falls risk management tool at the back of this booklet for some helpful ideas. Then write down these controls on the risk management worksheet.
If possible, trial the preferred control options before putting them into practice permanently.
Develop work procedures to formalise the controls, communicate with workers the reason for the change, and provide training and supervision for all staff.
Monitor and review controls
It is important to check whether the controls in place are effective, being used correctly, and have not introduced new hazards or risks. This can be done by talking with your workers, observing work activities, undertaking walk through surveys and reviewing incident and hazard reports.
Slips, trips and falls prevention �
Other things to consider
Other issues that you need to address in your risk management plan include design, maintenance, consultation, training and record keeping.
Design
Prevention of slips, trips and falls starts with good design of the workplace. When fitting out new premises/extensions or refurbishing the workplace, incorporate features to prevent slips and trips. This is detailed in the green section of the risk management tool.
When commissioning or purchasing new equipment, as well as ensuring that it is safe, ensure it provides adequate containment of any possible by-product such as off-cuts, grease, and dust.
Maintenance
This is fundamental to ensure that control measures remain effective. For slips and trips prevention:• maintain the condition of floor and ground surfaces, stairs and ramps• maintain machinery to prevent leaks• ensure there is adequate lighting • ensure workers wear suitable footwear to provide adequate grip.
Consultation
Before changes are made to facilities and processes, or equipment is purchased, talk to workers in the work area about the changes.
Training
All staff should have good understanding of slips, trips and falls hazards and how they can play their part in preventing them. For example, train staff in the risks and control strategies that have been implemented, including relevant procedures for cleaning and hazard reporting.
Record keeping
Record all areas assessed and actions taken through the slips, trips and falls risk management worksheet, specifications of plant and work processes, incident reports and actions undertaken, maintenance records of equipment and tools, and records of training activities.
� Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Slip
s, T
rips
and
Fal
ls R
isk
Man
agem
ent T
ool
Inst
ruct
ions
• W
rite
dow
n th
e id
entifi
ed w
ork
area
or
activ
ity o
n th
e fo
llow
ing
slip
s, t
rips
and
fal
ls m
anag
emen
t w
orks
heet
. •
The
follo
win
g in
form
atio
n is
bas
ed o
n a
traf
fic
light
app
roac
h w
ith g
uida
nce
on w
hat
is h
igh
risk
(red
), m
oder
ate
risk
(am
ber)
and
low
or
cont
rolle
d ri
sk
(gre
en).
This
can
hel
p as
sess
the
ris
ks f
or s
peci
fic
situ
atio
ns. T
he g
uida
nce
in g
reen
als
o pr
ovid
es id
eas
for
cont
rols
. •
For
a sa
fe w
orkp
lace
you
sho
uld
answ
er Y
ES t
o th
e ri
sk a
sses
smen
t qu
estio
ns li
sted
in t
he f
ar r
ight
col
umn.
Iden
tify
the
key
risk
fac
tors
invo
lved
. Co
mm
only
a n
umbe
r of
ris
k fa
ctor
s ar
e pr
esen
t. W
rite
dow
n th
e ri
sks
on t
he f
ollo
win
g w
orks
heet
.•
Furt
her
info
rmat
ion
can
be s
ough
t fr
om o
ther
pub
licat
ions
suc
h as
Aus
tral
ian
Stan
dard
s an
d th
e Bu
ildin
g Co
de o
f A
ustr
alia
.
Ris
k fa
ctor
sH
igh
risk
Very
like
ly to
cau
se in
jury
Mod
erat
e ri
skS
ome
risk
of i
njur
yS
hort
term
con
trol
s
Low
– c
ontr
olle
d ri
skLe
ss li
kely
to re
sult
in in
jury
– p
ossi
ble
cont
rols
Ris
k as
sess
men
t qu
esti
ons
YES
/NO
Inte
rnal
floo
r su
rfac
e an
d co
ndit
ion
- Sl
ip re
sist
ance
of fl
oori
ng to
o lo
w o
r pat
chy
for e
xpec
ted
use,
and
type
and
am
ount
of
cont
amin
ants
.
- A
ged
floor
ing
wit
h re
duce
d sl
ip re
sist
ance
. -
Une
ven
floor
sur
face
s (e
.g. w
orn
floor
cov
erin
gs,
brok
en ti
les,
mis
sing
or d
amag
ed g
rate
s or
cov
ers)
.-
Poor
ly m
aint
aine
d ac
cess
way
s (e
.g. l
oose
car
pet
tile
s).
- U
neve
n flo
or h
eigh
ts (e
.g. h
eigh
t diff
eren
ce
betw
een
load
ing
dock
and
floo
r of t
ruck
, gap
be
twee
n lo
adin
g do
ck a
nd tr
uck)
. -
Unm
arke
d ed
ges
(e.g
. end
of l
oadi
ng d
ock)
.-
Slip
pery
met
al s
urfa
ces
(e.g
. loa
ding
doc
k pl
ates
, w
alkw
ays,
gra
tes
or c
over
s).
- Su
dden
cha
nges
in fl
oor
surf
aces
(e.g
. fro
m ti
les
to
carp
et).
- Co
atin
g an
d ta
pes
part
ially
w
orn
away
.-
Min
or c
hang
es in
leve
l.-
Isol
ated
low
ste
p.
- Te
xtur
ed fl
oors
and
slip
-res
ista
nt s
urfa
ces
are
appr
opri
ate
for t
he w
ork
perf
orm
ed.
- Ex
isti
ng fl
oors
trea
ted
to im
prov
e sl
ip re
sist
ance
(e
.g. a
cid
etch
ing,
san
dbla
stin
g, g
rind
ing
and
groo
ving
).-
Floo
ring
is le
vel a
nd u
nbro
ken.
- W
elde
d jo
ins
in fl
oori
ng.
- M
inim
um s
udde
n ch
ange
s in
floo
r sur
face
text
ure.
- Ch
ange
s in
floo
r lev
el h
ighl
ight
ed w
ith
high
vi
sibi
lity
edgi
ng.
- D
oes
the
floor
sur
face
ha
ve e
noug
h sl
ip
resi
stan
ce to
pro
tect
ag
ains
t slip
ping
w
ith
expe
cted
co
ntam
inan
ts?
- A
re tr
ippi
ng h
azar
ds
elim
inat
ed?
Exte
rnal
gro
und
surf
ace
and
cond
itio
n, in
clud
ing
wor
kpla
ce a
cces
s an
d eg
ress
- U
neve
n gr
ound
sur
face
s or
pat
hway
s (e
.g. u
neve
n or
loos
e pa
ving
; foo
tpat
hs a
nd g
arde
n ed
ging
po
orly
mai
ntai
ned;
pot
hol
es; c
rack
ed a
nd u
neve
n co
ncre
te o
r bit
umen
; mis
sing
or d
amag
ed g
rate
s or
co
vers
).-
Surf
aces
that
are
slip
pery
whe
n w
et (e
.g. t
iles,
sm
ooth
con
cret
e, g
rate
s or
cov
ers)
.-
Slip
pery
sur
face
s (e
.g. m
etal
gra
tes
or c
over
s).
- M
inor
cha
nges
in le
vel.
- Tr
ee ro
ots
encr
oach
ing
on
path
.-
Mud
dy a
reas
.-
Wet
gra
ss.
- Cl
ear a
nd le
vel p
ath.
- A
cces
s w
ays
that
are
slip
resi
stan
t in
the
wet
or
shel
tere
d fr
om ra
in.
- G
roun
d su
rfac
es a
nd p
athw
ays
mai
ntai
ned
in g
ood
cond
itio
n.-
Gra
tes
or c
over
s ar
e in
goo
d co
ndit
ion
wit
h no
n-sl
ip s
urfa
ces.
- Sh
ort c
uts
acro
ss g
rass
ed o
r mud
dy a
reas
di
scou
rage
d.
- A
re p
aths
for a
cces
s an
d eg
ress
to th
e w
orkp
lace
cle
ar,
slip
resi
stan
t in
bad
wea
ther
and
wit
hout
tr
ip h
azar
ds?
Cont
amin
ants
- In
adeq
uate
ly d
rain
ed fl
oor s
urfa
ces
in w
et a
reas
(e
.g. t
oile
t/ba
thro
oms,
kit
chen
s, fo
od p
repa
rati
on
area
).-
Are
as th
at m
ay h
ave
fluid
or o
ther
con
tam
inan
ts o
n th
e flo
or (e
.g. f
ood
prep
arat
ion
area
s, p
arti
cula
rly
arou
nd s
inks
, dee
p fr
yers
, urn
s; s
uper
mar
ket
delic
ates
sens
; whe
reve
r foo
d an
d dr
ink
cons
umed
).-
Are
as w
here
leak
s ar
e co
mm
on (e
.g. o
il st
ains
in
unde
rcov
er c
oncr
ete
car-
park
).-
Oil,
wat
er a
nd o
ther
flui
d le
aks
from
mac
hine
ry,
wor
k pr
oces
ses
or s
tore
d co
ntai
ners
.-
Ice
on c
old
room
floo
rs.
- D
ry c
onta
min
ants
(e.g
. pow
ders
, gra
nule
s, s
war
f)
allo
wed
to b
uild
up
on fl
oor.
- D
ry li
tter
(e.g
. car
dboa
rd, p
last
ic w
rapp
ing)
left
on
the
floor
.
- W
et s
urfa
ces
near
ext
erna
l doo
rs w
here
traf
fic a
nd
wea
ther
bri
ngs
in ra
in w
ater
.-
Moi
stur
e an
d flu
ids
spill
s on
ext
erna
l pat
hway
s.
- Co
nden
sati
on o
n co
ld
room
floo
rs.
- M
achi
nery
not
regu
larl
y m
aint
aine
d fo
r lea
ks.
- G
row
th o
ver o
utsi
de
path
way
s (e
.g. m
oss
and
liche
ns).
- Le
af li
tter
.
- A
dequ
ate
drai
nage
wit
h gr
adua
ted
floor
to
drai
nage
poi
nts.
- D
eep
profi
le ti
les
to d
rain
flui
ds.
- En
sure
effi
cien
t dra
inag
e of
out
door
gro
und
surf
aces
.-
Goo
d de
sign
of c
old
room
s, m
achi
nery
and
pr
oces
ses
to e
limin
ate
or m
inim
ise
leak
or s
prea
d of
con
tam
inan
ts.
- Sl
ip-r
esis
tant
and
abs
orbe
nt fl
oori
ng o
r doo
r mat
s at
ent
ranc
es s
houl
d be
sec
ured
or l
arge
eno
ugh
to
rem
ain
in p
lace
.-
Cove
r at b
uild
ing
entr
y to
redu
ce ra
inw
ater
en
teri
ng.
- U
mbr
ella
s le
ft a
t ent
ranc
es in
con
tain
ers.
- Pr
oact
ive
mai
nten
ance
pro
gram
s to
det
ect a
nd
repa
ir s
igns
of l
eaks
.-
Keep
out
door
sur
face
s fr
ee o
f lea
ves,
mud
, cl
ippi
ngs,
pap
er a
nd g
rave
l and
rem
ove
mos
s or
sl
ime
wit
h a
chlo
rine
-bas
ed s
olut
ion.
- A
re w
ater
and
oth
er
cont
amin
ants
wel
l co
ntai
ned
to m
inim
ise
its
spre
ad o
nto
floor
s or
pat
hs?
Clea
ning
pr
oced
ures
- Co
ntam
inan
ts s
till
pres
ent a
fter
cle
anin
g.
- W
et c
lean
ing
or p
olis
hing
of fl
oors
dur
ing
wor
king
ho
urs.
- B
uild
up
of fl
oor p
olis
h on
the
floor
.-
Det
erge
nt re
sidu
e on
the
floor
.
- W
orke
rs w
alki
ng o
n re
cent
ly c
lean
ed b
ut w
et
floor
.
- Is
olat
ed c
lean
ing
area
from
ped
estr
ians
(e.g
. cl
eani
ng o
f floo
r sur
face
s ou
tsid
e w
orki
ng h
ours
or
excl
ude
pede
stri
ans
from
are
a ti
ll flo
ors
are
dry)
.-
Suit
able
cle
anin
g to
rem
ove
resi
due.
- St
aff t
rain
ed in
cle
anin
g pr
oced
ures
.-
Sign
age
to re
mov
e or
cau
tion
wor
kers
dur
ing
clea
ning
of fl
oors
.-
Clea
ning
pro
gram
in p
lace
to p
reve
nt b
uild
up
of
clea
ning
pro
duct
or r
esid
ue.
- Is
the
clea
ning
pra
ctic
e ef
fect
ive
in re
mov
ing
cont
amin
ants
and
doe
s no
t cre
ate
a sl
ip ri
sk?
- Ca
n cl
eani
ng b
e un
dert
aken
wit
h no
or
min
imal
ped
estr
ian
traf
fic in
the
area
? -
Is it
dry
bef
ore
pede
stri
ans
can
wal
k on
it?
Clea
nlin
ess
- U
ntid
y w
ork
area
s (t
ools
on
floor
, was
te o
r m
ater
ials
acc
umul
atin
g on
floo
r; s
tore
room
wit
h ra
w m
ater
ials
, rub
bish
, was
te o
verfl
owin
g).
- A
ccid
enta
l spi
lls le
ft u
natt
ende
d.
- D
ebri
s, o
ld le
aves
on
path
way
s.-
Haz
ardo
us w
arni
ng s
igns
and
pro
cedu
re fo
r im
med
iate
spi
lls m
anag
emen
t and
cle
an u
p.
- Pr
ovid
e en
ough
was
te b
ins
and
loca
te th
em c
lose
to
wor
k ar
ea.
- A
re c
lean
up
proc
edur
es e
ffec
tive
in
pro
mpt
ly m
anag
ing
spill
s an
d ke
epin
g flo
ors
and
path
s cl
ear
from
was
te m
ater
ial?
Hou
seke
epin
g/ob
stac
les
- St
orag
e of
equ
ipm
ent a
nd g
oods
in a
isle
s an
d w
alkw
ays.
- Lo
w o
bsta
cles
whe
re p
eopl
e ne
ed to
wal
k (t
raili
ng
exte
nsio
n co
rds;
em
pty
palle
ts; b
olts
or o
ther
it
ems
prot
rudi
ng fr
om fl
oor)
.
- Pe
dest
rian
wal
kway
s no
t wel
l defi
ned
(e.g
. op
en a
reas
use
d fo
r wor
k pr
oces
ses
and
pede
stri
an
acce
ss).
- U
nsui
tabl
e m
atti
ng s
uch
as
flatt
ened
car
dboa
rd b
oxes
.
- Cl
ear a
nd u
nobs
truc
ted
aisl
es a
nd w
alkw
ays
wit
h tr
ip h
azar
ds re
mov
ed.
- H
ighl
ight
fixe
d ob
stac
les
(e.g
. mar
ked
in b
righ
t ye
llow
).
- A
dequ
ate
stor
age
area
s fo
r goo
ds, t
rolle
ys a
nd
equi
pmen
t.
- Po
wer
out
lets
pos
itio
ned
to a
void
runn
ing
cord
s ac
ross
the
floor
.
- A
re th
e w
alkw
ays
thro
ugh
the
wor
kpla
ce
and
the
floor
s ne
ar
whe
re p
eopl
e w
ork
kept
cle
ar a
nd ti
dy?
Slips, trips and falls prevention �
Envi
ronm
ent /
light
ing
- Li
mit
ed v
isio
n on
sta
irs,
at c
hang
es o
f floo
r su
rfac
es o
r floo
r lev
els,
on
ram
ps a
nd w
alkw
ays.
- G
lare
on
wal
kway
s.-
Poor
ly li
t wor
k ar
eas
and
wal
k w
ays.
- Su
dden
cha
nges
in li
ghti
ng le
vels
bet
wee
n ar
eas
(e.g
. bet
wee
n ou
tdoo
rs a
nd a
dim
ly li
t sta
irw
ell,
or b
etw
een
outd
oors
and
load
ing
bay;
dis
trac
ting
sh
adow
s on
ste
ps, s
tair
s an
d w
alki
ng s
urfa
ces)
.
- Lo
w le
vel o
r obs
truc
ted
light
ing
and
shad
ows
arou
nd h
azar
ds (e
.g.
obje
cts
in w
alkw
ays,
un
even
floo
ring
).-
Incr
ease
d ri
sk w
hen
wor
king
in c
old
or h
eat
(e.g
. col
d ro
oms
or
free
zers
, hum
id c
ondi
tion
s su
ch a
s sm
oke
hous
e).
- A
dequ
ate
light
ing
for t
he w
ork
area
and
wor
k ta
sks.
- Cl
earl
y m
arke
d ai
sles
.-
App
ropr
iate
ligh
ting
and
vis
ual c
ues
on h
azar
d ar
eas
such
as
chan
ges
in fl
oor s
urfa
ce le
vel.
- A
dequ
ate
light
ing
for a
cces
s w
ays
incl
udin
g ni
ght
tim
e us
e.
- Pr
ovid
e gr
adua
ted
light
ing
betw
een
area
s.-
Repl
ace,
repa
ir o
r cle
an li
ghts
bef
ore
leve
ls
beco
me
too
low
for s
afe
wor
k.
- Is
the
light
ing
adeq
uate
to
cle
arly
see
the
path
of
trav
el a
nd s
lip a
nd
trip
haz
ards
? -
Are
dis
trac
tion
s in
the
area
min
imis
ed?
Stai
rs a
nd ra
mps
- In
appr
opri
atel
y de
sign
ed s
teps
and
sta
irs
(eg
stai
rs w
ith
inad
equa
te fo
ot s
pace
; var
iabl
e st
ep
heig
hts
in s
tair
case
; ste
ps w
ith
exce
ssiv
e ra
dius
on
nosi
ng).
- Ra
mps
that
are
too
stee
p or
wit
h sl
ippe
ry s
urfa
ce.
- Sm
all o
r mis
sing
land
ings
whe
re d
oors
ope
n di
rect
ly o
nto
stai
rs.
- St
ep e
dge
and
trea
d no
t obv
ious
.
- N
o or
inad
equa
te h
and
rails
.-
Poor
con
diti
on o
f ste
ps
and
stai
rs.
- Is
olat
ed lo
w s
teps
pa
rtic
ular
ly a
t doo
rway
s an
d co
ld ro
om e
ntra
nces
. -
Spee
d hu
mps
that
en
croa
ch o
n pe
dest
rian
w
alkw
ays.
- O
nly
use
stee
p st
airw
ays
for s
econ
dary
acc
ess,
and
en
sure
they
hav
e st
urdy
ha
ndra
ils o
n bo
th s
ides
.
- Ra
mps
and
sta
irs
desi
gned
to re
leva
nt s
tand
ards
.-
Ram
p su
rfac
e m
ade
slip
resi
stan
t wit
h fo
ot g
rips
or
text
ured
sur
face
.-
Stur
dy h
andr
ails
or g
uard
rails
on
all p
latf
orm
s,
step
s or
sta
irs.
- N
on-s
lip s
tair
trea
d.-
Clea
rly
mar
ked
and
non-
slip
ste
p ed
ges.
- A
dequ
ate
rails
on
ram
p to
pre
vent
trol
leys
runn
ing
off t
he e
dge.
-
Elim
inat
e is
olat
ed lo
w s
teps
if p
ract
ice.
- En
sure
isol
ated
low
ste
ps a
re h
ighl
ight
ed.
- N
on-s
lip tr
eads
.-
Hig
hlig
ht th
e st
art a
nd fi
nish
of r
amps
.-
Cov
ers
to e
limin
ate
wea
ther
con
diti
ons.
- A
re th
e st
airs
and
ra
mps
app
ropr
iate
ly
desi
gned
and
m
aint
aine
d in
goo
d co
ndit
ion?
Act
ivit
ies
(tas
ks)
- H
eavy
trol
leys
use
d on
ste
ep ra
mps
.-
Trol
leys
use
d on
ram
ps w
itho
ut e
dge
prot
ecti
on.
- Ru
shin
g, ru
nnin
g an
d pe
rfor
min
g m
anua
l tas
ks o
n flo
ors
wit
h co
ntam
inat
es.
- Pr
essu
red
wor
k sc
hedu
les
crea
ting
spe
ed a
nd
sudd
en c
hang
es in
dir
ecti
on o
f mov
emen
t.
- Li
mit
ed v
isio
n fo
r pus
hing
and
car
ryin
g lo
ads
(e.g
. ta
ll tr
olle
y or
larg
e lo
ads)
.
- Ca
rryi
ng a
load
that
pr
even
ts w
orke
rs fr
om
grip
ping
a h
andr
ail o
r br
eaki
ng a
fall.
- H
andl
ing
unst
able
and
un
bala
nced
load
s.
- G
ood
visi
on o
f pat
h of
trav
el.
- U
se li
fts
whe
re p
ossi
ble.
- M
inim
ise
carr
ying
load
s on
sta
irs.
-
Use
sui
tabl
e tr
olle
ys o
n st
airs
or p
rovi
de ra
mps
.-
Suit
able
foot
wea
r is
wor
n.-
Wor
k is
org
anis
ed s
o th
at th
e ne
ed to
rush
or r
un is
av
oide
d.
- D
o th
e w
ork
task
s al
low
the
pers
on to
ad
equa
tely
mai
ntai
n th
eir b
alan
ce a
nd
enab
le th
em to
sav
e th
emse
lves
from
a s
lip
or tr
ip?
- D
o ta
sks
allo
w w
orke
rs
to h
ave
an a
dequ
ate
visi
on o
f the
ir p
ath?
Foot
wea
r-
Uns
uita
ble
foot
wea
r wor
n fo
r the
task
.
- Sh
oes
are
not s
lip re
sist
ant.
- Tr
ead
patt
ern
wor
n.
- Tr
ead
clog
ged
wit
h co
ntam
inan
ts (e
.g. m
ud,
dirt
or g
reas
e).
- Su
itab
le fo
otw
ear p
olic
y in
pla
ce (f
or s
elec
tion
and
us
age)
.-
Wea
ring
of s
uita
ble
foot
wea
r is
mon
itor
ed.
- Is
foot
wea
r sui
ted
to
the
purp
ose
of th
e w
ork?
-
Is fo
otw
ear
mai
ntai
ned?
- Ca
n it
pro
vide
goo
d gr
ip o
n th
e flo
or d
urin
g w
ork
duti
es?
Oth
er-
Are
oth
er p
oten
tial
so
urce
s of
slip
, tri
p an
d fa
ll ri
sks
man
aged
?
� Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Slips, Trips and Falls Risk Management WorksheetProblem area or activity
Work Area: Assessed by:
Activity: Position/Job Title:
Details: Date:
Workers consulted:
Identify the problems and assess the risk
What are the risks? Refer to slips, trips and falls risk management tool for guidance on assessing risks (red and amber columns).
Floors (internal or external) Cleaning procedures Stairs and ramp Footwear Contaminants and obstacles Activity Environment/lighting Other
Find the solution
Step 1 - Decide on how to fix the problem
* Refer to the slips, trips and falls risk management tool for guidance on controlling risks (green column).
Can you eliminate the risks? Yes - How?
No
Can you redesign the environment, activity, work process or equipment? For example:- Apply floor treatments to
increase slip resistance. - Improve lighting.- Stop leaks from equipment or
pipes.- Provide adequate drainage
to prevent pooling of contaminants.
- Clearly mark edges of steps and changes in floor height.
Yes - How?
No
Can administrative controls also be used to minimise risks? For example:- Implement spillage management procedures.- Implement suitable footwear policy.- Carry out cleaning out of operational hours. - Provide training on slips, trips and falls.
How?
Step 2 - Implement controls
* Refer to the slips, trips and falls risk management tool for guidance on controlling risks (green column).
Person responsible for putting the controls in place:
By when:
Review the controls
Reviewed by: / / Date of review : / /
Have workers been consulted? Have the controls implemented, reduced the risk? Have any other risks been created by the controls? Can further controls be implemented to minimise the risk?
“I was carrying a full tray down the stairs. I guess I should have used the lift, but it was really busy
and I needed to save time. I slipped and injured my shoulder. It doesn’t hurt that much, but not
playing with Sally does.”
“I was drilling on the factory floor. I tripped on the extension cord and did my back in. I’ll be out of
action for weeks. Not just at work, but at home too.”
Slips, trips and falls prevention
Queensland the Smart State
A little slip at work can have a big impact on your life.
A publication of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Further informationFor further general information on preventing slips, trips and falls, please contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland:
Telephone 1300 369 915
Website: www.deir.qld.gov.au
Telephone interpreter service: 13 14 50
The materials presented in this publication are distributed by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations as an information source only.
The information and data in this publication are subject to change without notice. The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations makes no statements, representations, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in this publication. This document is a guide only and must be read in conjunction with the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason.
© The State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) September 2007
DEI
R 07
/284
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