Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

Date: 2025-08-21

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to recognize and prevent slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.

Introduction

Slips, trips, and falls are a major cause of workplace injuries. This toolbox talk will cover how to identify and control these hazards to keep everyone safe.

Key Points

• Maintain Good Housekeeping: Good housekeeping is fundamental to preventing slips, trips, and falls. A clean and organized work environment is a safer work environment. [1]
• Inspect Walking Surfaces: Regularly inspect walking surfaces for hazards such as spills, cracks, and uneven areas. Report and address any issues promptly. [4]
• Wear Proper Footwear: Choose footwear that provides adequate traction and support for the work environment. Replace worn or damaged footwear immediately. [3]
• Practice Situational Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. Pay attention to where you are walking and avoid distractions. [3]

Hazard Identification

Identifying potential slip, trip, and fall hazards is the first step in preventing incidents. We need to be aware of our surroundings and proactively look for dangers.

• Wet or oily surfaces: Slips leading to strains, sprains, fractures, or other injuries. [2]
• Clutter and obstructions in walkways: Trips and falls resulting in bruises, cuts, sprains, or fractures. [1]
• Poor lighting: Inability to see hazards, increasing the risk of trips and falls. [1]
• Uneven walking surfaces (e.g., steps, thresholds): Loss of balance and falls, leading to injuries. [1]
• Weather hazards (ice, snow, rain): Slips and falls, especially in parking lots and outdoor areas. [2]

Control Measures

• Implement good housekeeping practices: Clean spills immediately, mark wet areas, remove clutter, secure mats and rugs, close file cabinet drawers, cover cables, and keep walkways well lit. [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1]
• Maintain flooring: Recoat or replace floors, install mats, abrasive strips, or non-slip coatings. Ensure resilient, non-slippery flooring to prevent foot fatigue. [3] [3]
• Select proper footwear: Wear slip-resistant footwear, especially in oily or wet environments. Consult with manufacturers to choose appropriate footwear for specific conditions. [3]
• Improve lighting: Ensure adequate lighting in all work areas and walkways. Replace used light bulbs and faulty switches promptly. [1] [1]
• Practice safe walking: Take your time, pay attention to where you are going, adjust your stride, and make wide turns at corners. [3] [3] [3]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Slip-Resistant Footwear: Wear appropriate footwear with good traction to prevent slips on various surfaces. Inspect footwear regularly for wear and tear. [5] [5]
• Eye Protection: Use safety glasses or face shields when there is a risk of debris or splashes that could impair vision and increase the risk of slips, trips, or falls.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

1. What are some specific slip, trip, and fall hazards you have noticed in your work area?
2. What steps can we take to improve housekeeping in our department?
3. How can we ensure that everyone is wearing appropriate footwear for their job tasks?

Emergency Procedures

1. Assist the injured person and provide first aid.
2. Report the incident to your supervisor and safety department.
3. Investigate the incident to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence.

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Slips, trips, and falls are preventable with proper awareness and control measures.
• Good housekeeping, proper footwear, and safe walking practices are essential.
• Report any hazards immediately to prevent incidents.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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