Slips, Trips and Falls - Health & Safety Checklist
Department:Date:
Hazard – Slips and Trips / Suggested actionSpillage of wet and dry substances / Clean spills up immediately, if a liquid is greasy, make sure a suitable cleaning agent is used.
After cleaning the floor can be wet for some time, dry it where possible. Use appropriate barriers to tell people the floor is still wet and arrange alternative bypass routes.
Trailing cables / Position equipment to avoid cables crossing pedestrian routes, use cable covers to securely fix to surfaces, restrict access to prevent contact. Contractors will also need to be managed.
Miscellaneous rubbish, e.g. plastic bags / Keep areas clear, remove rubbish and do not allow it to build up.
Rugs/mats / Ensure mats are securely fixed and do not have curling edges.
Poor lighting / Improve lighting levels and placement of light fittings to ensure more even lighting of all floor areas.
Slippery surfaces / Assess the cause and treat accordingly, for example always keep them dry if wet causes the problem.
Ensure appropriate cleaning method is used.
Change from wet to dry floor surface / Provide suitable footwear, warn of risks by using signs, locate doormats where these changes are likely.
Changes of level / Try to avoid. If you can’t, improve lighting, add high visible tread nosings (i.e. white/reflective edge to step).
Slopes / Improve visibility. Provide handrails. Use floor markings.
Unsuitable footwear / Ensure suitable footwear is chosen, particularly with the correct type of sole.
If the type of work requires special protective footwear, the employer is required by law to provide it free of charge.
General - External / Yes / No
Are pedestrian routes, e.g. pathways, uneven/damaged?
Are surfaces in car parks uneven/damaged?
Are changes in levels, e.g. ramps and curbs, unclear/damaged?
Do plants encroach or grow in pathways?
Do residues, e.g. leaves or soil, build up on ground making it slippery?
Are transition areas, e.g. foyers and entrances, provided with unsuitable or insufficient means to prevent contamination e.g. from rain/snow/dirt?
A “YES” response to any of the above requires risk assessment/remedial measures to be taken if controls are inadequate.
Comments:
Current assessment: Likelihood =Severity = Category =
General - Internal / Yes / No
Are floors uneven/damaged?
Do electric cables trail across pedestrian routes?
Are the floor coverings damaged and a trip hazard?
Do rugs/mats/carpets curl at the edges/need fixing to the floor?
Are floor surfaces slippery when dry?
Are floor surfaces slippery when wet?
Do cleaning materials make the floor slippery?
Do residues build up on floor surfaces/ground making it slippery?
A “YES” response to any of the above requires risk assessment/remedial measures to be taken if controls are inadequate.
Comments:
Current assessment: Likelihood = Severity = Category =
Procedures/Working Practices/Workplace / Yes / No
Are lighting levels adequate on all traffic or pedestrian routes?
Where there are changes in levels is lighting adequate and the change in level highlighted by, for example, a colour change/hazard tape?
Are handrails provided where appropriate, where there are level changes?
Do all staircases and steps have handrails where appropriate?
Are procedures in place to immediately clean up spillages?
If greasy liquids are spilled, is a suitable cleaning agent available and used?
Are appropriate signs used after floors have been cleaned and an alternative bypass route provided?
Are passageways/stairs/escape routes kept clear?
Are articles properly stored and put away so they do not cause obstructions?
Are safe working procedures adopted when transporting items up or down stairs?
Are steps/ladders/step-ups inspected and maintained?
Are damaged steps/ladders/step-ups taken out of service at once and disposed of?
Are safe working procedures adopted when working at height?
Are openings in floors fenced off?
Do risk assessments include slips/trips/falls and are they readily available to staff?
When workmen/cleaners are working on site, does risk assessment include creation of tripping/slipping hazards?
Is provision of appropriate footwear considered in risk assessment in relation to slips, trips and falls?
In a workplace where flooring can be slippery, are non-slip shoes worn?
A “No” response to any of the above requires risk assessment/remedial measures to be taken.
Comments:
Current assessment: Likelihood = Severity = Category =