How to prevent slips, trips and falls when working at height

Quick tips to help you stay on your feet!

You don’t need to be at a height to suffer the consequences of slips, trips and falls at work but the risks certainly elevate when working high off the ground.

As an employer, it’s essential to put control measures in place to minimise risk. But, it’s not all down to you; your employees also have a responsibility to understand and adhere to those measures.

Here we look at just five ways you can minimise the risk of slips, trips, and falls at height and on the ground.

How to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls

1. Wear appropriate footwear. Footwear is an essential part of PPE. Wear proper footwear, with the right level of support and grip and keep shoes clean, as a build-up of dirt on the soles increases the chance of slips occurring. Tie shoes properly – an untied shoelace at height could have a severe outcome.
2. Clean up spills. Whether it’s weather-related or from a spillage, wet surfaces are a slip hazard, especially if people are not aware or paying attention. Always clear up spills, use signs after cleaning and clear paths and platforms before working.
3. Clear any obstacles. Avoid placing any potential trip hazards in walkways or on platforms, for example, tidy all cables out the way and find a home for materials and tools. Working tidily and storing all equipment out the way will reduce the likelihood of trips occurring.
4. Ensure visibility. Ensure all work areas have adequate lighting so everyone can see what they are doing, whether at ground level or at height. If there are any overhead or underfoot obstacles, use signage and exclusion zones to avoid obscuring them in any way.
5. Work safely. Pay attention and don’t carry unnecessary equipment, talk on the phone, or lose concentration when walking or working. Watching where you walk and work will reduce the likelihood of you slipping, tripping, or falling.

It doesn’t matter what precautions you put in place; accidents do happen. Make sure you and your employees are appropriately protected by using the correct PPE and fall protection and restraint systems – view our range here or speak to us for advice, our experts are on hand to help!