Preventing Slip & Trip Hazards

Why This Matters

Preventing Slip & Trip Hazards deserves a specific pre-task check because obstructions, spills, waste and poor storage create slip, trip, fire and access hazards. For this briefing, connect the topic to the exact equipment, work area and conditions the crew will face today, and agree a clear stop-work trigger before the task begins.

Key Points

• Spills, cords, and loose material on walking surfaces collectively account for a substantial proportion of recorded workplace injuries
• Wet floor signage should be deployed immediately upon spill occurrence, not retroactively following an incident
• Damaged or uneven flooring should be formally reported and corrected rather than informally worked around indefinitely

Best Practices

• Clean up spills immediately upon discovery, not at the next scheduled break
• Return tools and materials to designated storage promptly after use
• Maintain clear aisles, walkways, and exit routes at all times, without exception for temporary staging
• Dispose of waste and scrap on a routine schedule rather than allowing accumulation
• Coil and store cords and hoses rather than leaving them across walkways or egress paths
• Integrate cleanup as an inherent part of task completion, not a separate deferred activity

Scenario & Site Check

Discuss this scenario: A crew is about to start work where preventing slip & trip hazards is relevant, but one condition in the work area has changed since the task was last performed. Ask the team what could make that change important, which control must be verified first, and who has authority to stop the job.

• Field check: walk the route to today’s task and remove obstructions, spills, trailing leads and unnecessary combustible waste.
• Evidence: confirm the applicable permit, inspection, label, test result, procedure or equipment status rather than relying only on memory.
• Close-out question: “What would make us stop and reassess this task today?”

Reference Point

Use the current requirement that applies to your site. A useful starting point for Housekeeping is OSHA / NIOSH primary guidance. Company procedures, manufacturer instructions and local law may impose additional or more stringent controls.