How to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace: Best Practices & Real Solutions

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace incidents, leading to serious injuries, lost productivity, and increased workers’ compensation claims. In Australia, these accidents account for approximately 21.8% of serious workers’ compensation claims, making prevention a top priority for workplace safety.

Understanding the key causes and implementing effective prevention strategies can significantly reduce workplace risks and enhance compliance. In this guide, we’ll cover:

✔ Common causes of slips, trips, and falls
✔ Best practices for accident prevention
✔ Real-world case studies showing success stories
✔ How DIGI CLIP mobile forms can improve safety compliance

Let’s dive in!

Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Wet or Slippery Surfaces
Spills, wet floors, and smooth surfaces increase the risk of slipping. Implementing proper cleaning protocols and using slip-resistant flooring can significantly reduce these risks.

Example: Regularly inspect floors for spills and ensure immediate cleanup. Use floor mats or non-slip coatings in high-risk areas.

Poor Lighting
Inadequate lighting can obscure hazards such as uneven flooring or obstacles, increasing the likelihood of trips and falls. Ensure sufficient lighting in high-traffic areas and workspaces.

✅ Tip: Conduct regular lighting audits to identify and fix poorly lit areas.

Cluttered Workspaces
Loose cables, misplaced equipment, or debris can lead to avoidable workplace trips. Keeping work areas clean and organised minimises these hazards.

✅ Best Practice: Implement a daily tidy-up routine and ensure all equipment is properly stored.

Statistics & Impact of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Prevalence: Slips and trips account for about 20% of all lost time injuries each year, leading to severe injuries and extended recovery periods.

Economic Impact: In the U.S., falls on the same level result in a median of 10 lost workdays per incident.

Australian Context: Slips, trips, and falls cause tens of thousands of workplace injuries annually, affecting businesses nationwide.

Real-Life Case Studies: Success Stories in Workplace Safety

✅ Case Study: The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital

Challenge: The hospital faced a high number of slips, trips, and falls among both staff and patients.
Solution: Implemented a risk assessment template, distributed prevention guidelines, and trained managers on safety responsibilities.
Outcome: Significantly reduced incidents through proactive measures and increased awareness. (1)

✅ Case Study: UK Food Processing Facility

Challenge: A food processing plant experienced frequent slip accidents in production areas.
Solution: Introduced new footwear policies and implemented a logical approach to hazard management.
Outcome: Reduced slip accidents by two-thirds within the first year. (2)

Best Practices to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

✔ Proper Footwear – Encourage employees to wear slip-resistant shoes with adequate support.

✔ Housekeeping Best Practices – Regularly clean floors, remove obstacles, and address spills immediately.

✔ Use Safety Signage – Clearly mark wet floors, uneven surfaces, or hazard-prone areas.

✔ Regular Inspections – Conduct routine safety audits to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.

✔ Employee Training – Educate workers on best safety practices, hazard awareness, and how to report risks.

🔍 Looking for a digital checklist solution? Read our post From Paper to Digital: Compliance Tools for SMBs.

How DIGI CLIP mobile forms Enhances Workplace Safety

Managing workplace safety requires real-time monitoring and reporting. DIGI CLIP Mobile Forms makes safety management simple and efficient with:

✅ Customisable Checklists – Tailor safety checklists to fit your workplace needs.

✅ Real-Time Hazard Reporting – Instantly capture and share safety observations, reducing response times.

✅ Automated Reports & Analytics – Identify trends and prevent recurring safety risks before they escalate.

Learn more about the benefits of going digital in our post How Digital Checklists Improve Workplace Safety.

Start Your Free Trial Today

✅ Ready to Simplify Workplace Safety?
Start your free trial of DIGI CLIP Mobile Forms today and experience:

✔️ Faster safety inspections
✔️ Instant hazard reporting
✔️ Real-time compliance tracking

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Conclusion

Preventing slips, trips, and falls requires a proactive approach, including:

✔ Identifying common hazards
✔ Implementing best practices
✔ Using digital tools like DIGI CLIP Mobile Forms for seamless safety management

By integrating these proven strategies, businesses can reduce risks, protect employees, and improve compliance.

Want to enhance workplace safety? Get started with DIGI CLIP mobile forms today!

Trial the DIGI CLIP mobile forms checklist & inspection app today for free!