Slips and Trips Policy Writers

What are Slips and Trips Policies?

Slips and trips policies outline how organisations identify, manage and reduce the risk of one of the most common causes of workplace accidents.

These policies help employers meet their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, ensuring that hazards are identified and controlled to protect employees, visitors and contractors.

What Do Slips and Trips Policies Cover?

A slips and trips policy typically includes:

• Identification of common slip and trip hazards, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces and poor lighting

• Responsibilities of staff and managers for hazard reporting and housekeeping

• Procedures for inspection, cleaning and maintenance of work areas

• Use of appropriate signage and barriers where hazards are temporary

• Requirements for safe footwear and protective equipment where relevant

• Recording and investigation of incidents to identify trends

• Links to health and safety, accident reporting and facilities management policies

A clear policy helps ensure that slips and trips are not dismissed as minor risks but are treated as preventable hazards that can lead to serious injury.

It also demonstrates compliance with UK law and provides evidence of reasonable steps taken to protect staff and visitors, reducing the likelihood of claims or enforcement action.

Slips and trips are responsible for a significant proportion of workplace accidents, particularly in environments such as offices, warehouses, schools and healthcare settings. A structured policy reduces both the frequency and severity of incidents.

By promoting awareness, good housekeeping and accountability, businesses can create safer workplaces, reduce absenteeism and improve staff confidence in their health and safety arrangements.

Legal Basis

Slips, trips and falls account for around 30% of major workplace injuries reported to HSE each year.

The duty is grounded in HASAW 1974, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (suitable floor surfaces, drainage, organisation of traffic routes), and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment).

Common Compliance Pitfalls

• Cleaning regimes that create slip hazards during shifts.
• Outdoor surface assessments missed (winter conditions, leaf fall, snow and ice).
• No documented pendulum testing or slip-risk assessment for high-risk surfaces.
• Corridor and stairway lighting below recommended lux levels for the task.
• Spillage response procedure absent or untested.

What Policy Pros Delivers

Our Slips and Trips Policy package includes the main policy, a slip-risk assessment template (with surface, contamination, footwear, environment factors), an outdoor seasonal procedure, a spillage response procedure, a lighting and traffic-route audit checklist, and integration with the cleaning and contractor policies.