Reducing trips and slips at work as the nights draw in

Now November is here - get ready for an increase in trips and slips at work. The days are shorter, natural light fades faster and there's a good chance the rate of accidents and incidents is about to increase at your workplace. These incidents can happen anywhere — from construction sites and factories to offices, schools, and shops. Reducing these trips and slips at work is crucial to making your workplace a safe environment for everyone, especially during these darker months.

Why slips and trips increase in winter:

With less daylight visibility goes down, and this inevitably increases the risk from hazards like stray cables or wet floors. In outdoor work areas, slippery surfaces from rain, ice, or fallen leaves pose additional challenges. Inside the building, wet floors from shoes or umbrellas can turn a safe area into a slip zone in seconds.

Simple steps to prevent trips and slips:

Check lighting regularly
Poor or dim lighting can make simple obstacles suddenly really dangerous. Make sure all work areas, entrances, and exits are well-lit. In one warehouse, for example, a single blown bulb caused a dim corner where workers consistently tripped on a pallet. Regularly checking that all lights work, especially in high-traffic areas means that there's always light on the places that need it.

Clear walkways and work areas
Loose items like cables, tools, or even personal bags can become serious trip hazards. In schools, hallways littered with bags or coats can lead to trips, especially for younger children running to their next lesson. Organising high traffic areas and ensuring clutter-free spaces is one of the simplest ways of reducing trips and slips at work.

Manage wet areas and slippery surfaces
Rain or winter slush makes floors hazardous. Regularly mopping and placing "Wet Floor" signs where they're needed is a must. One office found that a simple umbrella stand near the entrance drastically reduced puddles. In outdoor areas, clearing leaves or salting icy paths is another essential task. On construction sites, this might mean extra gritting or shoveling for safety.

Encourage proper footwear
Footwear with good grip can make a real difference when it comes to staying upright! For those working in environments like factories or construction sites, slip-resistant shoes are designed to prevent accidents. Offices or schools might not have the same requirements, but encouraging sensible footwear for the season helps to keep everyone safe. Offices could ask staff to keep a pair of inside shoes at work and provide a space to store outside boots so no soggy footprints make it inside the building.

Raise awareness
Employees are more likely to follow safety measures if they are made aware of and understand the risks. Simple reminders in meetings or a few posters highlighting safety steps can go a long way. One supermarket we worked with reminded staff to be vigilant in the stockroom during winter. With that one step, they saw fewer accidents.

Reducing trips and slips at work doesn’t need complicated solutions. A few proactive measures - improved lighting, clear walkways, managing wet areas, encouraging proper footwear, and raising awareness - really can make all the difference. As the nights draw in, take the time to evaluate your workplace and keep everyone safe through the season. Read more of our workplace safety blogs here - and don't forget to follow us on Facebook for updates!