Slips, Trips and Falls: Workplace Hazards You Can Prevent

Every employer has a duty to provide a safe workplace, but slips, trips and falls still account for a significant number of accidents across every sector. Whether it’s a busy care home corridor, a bustling restaurant kitchen, a construction site, or an office corridor, these simple hazards are responsible for thousands of injuries and lost workdays every year. At Career Path e-Learning, we understand that preventing these incidents is not just about compliance – it’s about protecting people, productivity, and long-term business reputation.

Why Slips, Trips and Falls Matter in Every Workplace

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips and falls remain the leading cause of workplace accidents in the UK. They account for more than a third of all major injuries and are a key reason for enforced absences and compensation claims. For individuals, these accidents can result in lasting harm, from sprained wrists to serious fractures and head injuries. For businesses, consequences include lost hours, higher insurance premiums, and reputational damage. The good news? The majority of incidents are easily preventable with a practical, informed approach.

Common Causes: What Puts Staff at Risk?

Slippery floors after cleaning, loose doormats, trailing cables, poorly lit corridors, and uneven outdoor surfaces – these are just a few of the everyday risks found in nearly every working environment. Extra hazards arise in:

• – Hospitality: Spilled drinks and food, busy kitchens, or poorly maintained flooring.
• Health and Social Care: Wet bathroom floors, cluttered walkways, mobility aids.
• Construction: Uneven ground, weather exposure, debris, and improper footwear.
• Business and Office Settings: Damaged carpets, clutter, and wires under desks.

All too often, minor oversights snowball into major problems. Identifying and promptly addressing risks should be part of your team’s everyday routine.

Costs of Lapses – Financial and Beyond

Slips, trips and falls cost UK industry millions each year. But beyond financial losses and legal claims, there’s a human toll: pain, reduced morale, and loss of confidence, especially in teams who work under pressure or with vulnerable groups. A single avoidable incident can change careers and lives. Investing in prevention is one of the smartest moves any business can make – and it starts with awareness, education, and action.

How Career Path e-Learning’s Course Helps

Career Path e-Learning’s Slips, Trips and Falls course has been developed to support businesses across all industries in creating a safer, more proactive workplace. Our CPD-approved course focuses on:

• – Identifying risk areas and assessing hazards in your unique environment
• Demonstrating everyday precautions and safe behaviours (like using the correct cleaning signage and reporting hazards)
• Industry-specific case studies – from restaurant floors to building sites
• Legal obligations for both employers and staff under UK law
• Clear protocols for responding when an incident does occur

Accessible online, our course allows teams to upskill flexibly around shifts and busy periods. Every learner also benefits from real human support from Career Path e-Learning’s expert team, ensuring any questions are quickly addressed.

Real-World Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

While training is an essential foundation, lasting results come from turning awareness into habit. Here are some practical steps your team can take today:

• – Keep all walkways and exits clear of obstructions and clutter
• Address spills immediately – and use prominent signage until the area is fully dry
• Maintain flooring, lighting, and handrails – inspect regularly, especially in high-traffic or outdoor areas
• Encourage staff to report hazards as soon as they notice
• Arrange cables and wires safely, using covers or rerouting when possible
• Select and maintain suitable, slip-resistant footwear for all relevant roles

Importantly, every team member should feel empowered to speak up about risks, regardless of their role or status.

Compliance, Confidence, and Culture

Ongoing training builds more than knowledge – it fosters a culture where safety becomes second nature. Regular refresher courses from Career Path e-Learning allow you to reinforce standards, track progress, and adapt to changes in your workplace environment or team structure. This shows regulators, clients, and staff alike that your organisation is serious about the wellbeing of all.

Our course is CPD-approved, regularly updated for UK best practice, and designed for onboarding new recruits as well as experienced staff. Plus, we offer a free trial so you can evaluate the value to your business risk-free.

Why Choose Career Path e-Learning?

• – Explicit mention in every course and resource for best-in-class quality
• Flexible, sector-specific learning designed for real workplaces
• Guidance aligned with the latest HSE and UK legislation
• Supportive, communicative human advisors always ready to help

Take Simple Steps – See Big Results

Preventing slips, trips and falls is the responsibility of every employer – but the power for change rests with every individual. Invest in your people, your business, and your reputation with Career Path e-Learning’s expertly developed Slips, Trips and Falls course.

Learn more today, try a course for free, or contact Career Path e-Learning for tailored advice. Every safe step taken today protects your tomorrow – make prevention your priority and set a standard others will want to follow.