The Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls
Many different types of contaminates or obstacles can cause a slip, trip, or fall. According to NIOSH (National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health), the top ten slip, trip, and fall hazards are:
- Contaminants on the floor (food, water, dirt, sand, etc.)
- Indoor walking surface irregularities (holes, cracks, sudden changes of elevation, etc.)
- Outdoor walking surface irregularities (potholes, cracks, obstacles, etc.)
- Weather conditions (rain, ice, and snow, etc.)
- Inadequate lighting
- Stairs and handrails (or lack thereof)
- Stepstools and ladders (when not safely positioned or when improperly used)
- Tripping hazards (clutter, loose cords, curled mats, etc.)
- Improper use of floor mats and runners
- Poor drainage (pipes and drains, etc.)
OSHA has found some of the most common causes of slips to be wet products or spills on smooth floors or walking surfaces (such as water, mud, grease, oil, food, blood, and offal); loose, unanchored rugs or mats; and transitioning from one surface to another (i.e., carpet to vinyl). Additionally, OSHA states that common causes of trips include: rumpled or rolled-up carpets/mats, carpets with curled edges, irregularities in walking surfaces—thresholds or gaps (transitioning from one floor type to another), and missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks. Causes for trips include, for example, debris, accumulated waste materials, and uneven surfaces.112
(Note: Offal is the internal organs and entrails of a butchered animal used for food (such as the liver or kidney). Offal is inherent to the restaurant industry and is recognized by OSHA as a slip and fall hazard. Aside from creating a bad smell if the workplace is not kept clean and sanitized after processing, offal and offal-based moisture can create slick and hazardous surfaces. The work area should be designed to prevent odors, discharge, splatter, and spillage of offal with the proper use of exhaust ventilation, extraction/collection systems, processing areas with raised or lipped edges, drip pans, etc.)
OSHA states that environmental conditions that increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls include poor housekeeping, improper cleaning methods and products, and inadequate or missing signage. In the process of designing for the workplace, OSHA advises using adequate ventilation to avoid smoke, steam, and condensation of water and grease onto the floor.