Preventing slips, trips and falls risk management process

To prevent slips, trips and falls:

• ensure that the flooring in a workplace is suitable for the type of work activity that will be taking place on it,
• ensure that floors, walkways, stairs and storage areas are free of obstruction,
• check that all floor surfaces are properly maintained and, if necessary, covered with non-slip material,
• clean liquid spills and other hazards from floors immediately,
• maintain outdoor surfaces and keep free of potholes and other trip hazards,
• avoid trailing electrical leads,
• provide adequate lighting in all areas,
• provide appropriate handrails in stairways,
• maintain and use ladders in a safe manner, and
• wear appropriate footwear:
  • footwear should be fitted properly and in good repair,
  • ideally, footwear should have enclosed toes, be flat, with a sensible heel, with the sole and heel made in a softer material that provides good grip,
  • the shoes should have tread pattern with leading edges in all directions to sweep away lubricant leaving dry contact, and
  • sole tread patterns should not become clogged with any waste or debris from the floor - clean off immediately.