How to Stay Safe from Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents in Everyday Life

Slips, trips and falls account for a sizeable chunk of non-fatal accidents suffered in the United Kingdom. They can occur just about anywhere, including the home, the workplace, and in public spaces – but the likely causes might vary, depending on where you are.

Given the enormous cost of these accidents, in terms of both human suffering and loss of productivity, it’s worth thinking in advance about where falls might occur, and how we might minimise both their likelihood and severity.

Identifying Common Hazards in Public Spaces

According to the Health and Safety Executive, the most common risk factors when it comes to falls are uneven, wet, or cluttered walkways. This is especially problematic if a person isn’t expecting the surface to be treacherous. If you’re able to brace yourself for a fall, you might avoid going over entirely. If you slip unexpectedly, then you might be unable to raise your hands and protect, say, your head. Thus, the more aware you are of a given uneven surface, the less likely you are to fall.

Maintaining Awareness of Environmental Conditions

Often, a change in the environment can take us by surprise. This is particular common during winter, when slips and falls become likelier as a result of icy or rain-slick walkways.

The best way for employers and individuals to lower the risk, here, is to recognise where the surface is less than ideal, and take steps to address the problem.

For example, a certain section of the floor might become slippery during winter, as a result of an accumulation of black ice on cold mornings. Proactively distributing grit and salt in the affected areas, and advising passers-by of the risk with the help of visible signage, can lower the risk of a slip-related personal injury claim.

Choosing Appropriate Footwear for Safety

Your choice of shoes can make a big difference to your chances of staying on your feet. If you expect the surface underfoot to be less than ideal, you might favour slip-resistant, rubberised soles with deep treads. In some special instances, it might even be appropriate to look for shoes with spikes jutting from the bottom, which might allow for superior traction on ice.

Reporting Hazards and Seeking Assistance

Often, what helps to drive down the risk is not just individual vigilance, but a culture of constant reporting. If a given hazard has a 0.1% chance of inflicting an injury, then we can be reasonably confident that it won’t be able to do so, provided that hundreds of people don’t pass the hazard by without reporting it.

Businesses and public bodies, like local councils, might reduce the risk by implementing codes of conduct when it comes to reporting hazards. In some cases, a failure to put such a policy in place might cause the organisation to be legally responsible, especially if harm results from that failure.