Slipping and tripping
What you need to know
- Many construction workers are injured every year as a result of slipping or tripping while working on construction sites.
- Most cases can be prevented with effective management of the workplace and effective access routes, such as corridors, hallways, stairs and site cabins.
- Consulting with employees can help identify problem areas and increase reporting of hazardous incidents. Everyone can help reduce slips and trips.
What you need to do
- The employer must manage the work so that his employees can move safely on site.
- The site must be maintained in a clean and orderly condition to reduce the possibility/probability of injuries due to slipping and tripping.
- Everyone can help reduce slips and trips on site. If you see a risk, fix it, or report it to someone who can.
- Key aspects of slips and trips on construction sites include:
- (a) Uneven surface
- Slips and trips can occur when workers walk on uneven surfaces. The risk can be reduced by providing walkways that:
- Clearly reserved;
- Provided with a good condition pad;
- Marked and provided with adequate lighting.
- Make sure workers wear shoes with proper grip.
- Slips and trips can occur when workers walk on uneven surfaces. The risk can be reduced by providing walkways that:
- (b) Obstacles
- Slips and trips can occur due to obstacles, such as building materials and debris.
- Risks can be prevented by:
- Housekeeping – maintain cleanliness of work and storage areas;
- Delivery – designed to reduce material pile-ups on site;
- Waste – Waste collection areas are designated, bins and trash cans are provided if necessary and waste cleanup responsibilities are assigned.
- (c) Braided cable
- Eliminate tangled cables by using cordless equipment. If that's not possible, keep cables at a high level, especially along corridors.
- (d) Wet or slippery surface
- Avoid using surfaces that are slippery or become slippery when wet. Ensure workers wear shoes with good grip.
- (e) Level changes
- Avoid small changes in level where possible, such as at doorways, consider installing ramps or other easy and safe means of access. If possible, use warning signs so workers are aware of changes in level.
- (a) Uneven surface
- Although every problem can be solved easily, the reality is not that simple as site conditions are always changing. Always ensure that the outside and inside of the work area are adequately lit.
- It is therefore very important for the site manager to have good control and for each employee to take responsibility for ensuring that the way they work does not create a risk to others, for example by leaving cables exposed on the corridor floor or leaving waste materials scattered on the stairs.
- Make sure each worker knows what they need to do to manage their own construction materials, waste, and equipment to keep the workplace clean and reduce the risk of tripping.
Figure 1: Key aspects of slips and trips at construction sites.
Further reading:
- Regarding slipping and tripping
- Regarding a safe construction workplace
