Slips, trips and falls on the same level Toolbox Talk
Most slips and trips are preventable by controlling contamination, routes and changes in level. Treat trailing leads and spills as defects, not normal site conditions.
Key points
- Keep pedestrian routes level, lit and free from obstruction.
- Clean spills promptly using a method that does not leave a slippery surface.
- Route cables and hoses overhead, behind barriers or through protected crossings.
- Provide drainage and suitable footwear for wet or muddy areas.
- Mark unavoidable steps, edges and temporary changes in level.
- Separate pedestrians from work and storage zones.
- Report and correct damaged flooring and poor lighting.
Do
- Keep access routes clear.
- Use barriers while cleaning.
- Maintain three points of contact on stairs.
Don't
- Do not walk past a spill.
- Do not store materials in walkways.
- Do not use phones while walking through work areas.
Questions to ask the group
- Where are today’s main slip or trip hazards?
- Who will remove them?
- Are routes adequately lit?
References: Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015