Slips, trips and falls on the same level
Accidents caused by loss of grip on a surface (slip), catching a foot on an obstruction (trip), or loss of balance resulting in contact with the same floor level. A leading cause of workplace injury in all three frameworks.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“slips, trips and falls on the same level”SharedThe Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (regulation 12) require that floors and traffic routes shall be constructed and maintained to be suitable for their purpose and free from holes, slopes and uneven, slippery or damaged surfaces. HSE treats slips and trips as the most common cause of major injury at work.
Irish HSA
“slips, trips and falls on the same level”SharedThe General Application Regulations 2007 (Schedule 1) require that floors and traffic routes are kept clean and level, free from holes or dangerous slopes, and that surfaces likely to cause slipping are treated. Slips, trips and falls on the same level are a major category of Irish workplace accidents.
US OSHA
“slips, trips and falls on same level”SharedOSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 requires that floors of workrooms shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition, and that wet floors shall be provided with false floors, platforms, mats or other dry standing places. Walking-working surfaces must be kept free of slipping and tripping hazards.
Practitioner note: Leading cause of non-fatal major injury in all three frameworks. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 reg 12 (GB); GAR 2007 Schedule 1 (Ireland); OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 (general industry).