Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of accidents and incidents at the University, accounting for around 35% of all reported accidents and incidents.
Common causes of slips, trips and falls are:
- Slippery or wet floors, both inside and outside of buildings
- Loose mats, especially on floor surfaces that allow them to move freely
- Uneven surfaces
- Spills and contaminants
- Unsuitable footwear
- Inattention (eg use of mobile phones and devices, MP3 players)
- Sloping surfaces, such as ramps and paths on campus
- Obstructed walkways, stairwells and thoroguhfares
- Rushing
- Carrying heavy loads (eg piles of books) while not holding a hand rail or carrying bulky loads that block view of the path or stairs
Guidelines
How to prevent slips, trips and falls:
- Pay attention and concentrate on stairs, ramps and sloping paths
- Use the hand rails provided
- Do not use your mobile phone, device or MP3 player
- Do not carry items in both hands and avoid loads that reduce your ability to see the stairs, ramp or path. Use lifts if carrying larger loads.
- Use a mechanical aide such as a scak truck or trolley to assist with heavier loads
- Consider 'breaking up' the load into smaller portions to make them easier to handle
- Use designated pathways
- Wear appropriate footwear for the job and the work environment - avoid high heels, floppy sandals and thongs
- Make sure that floors, walkways, stairs and storage areas are free of obstruction
- Clean liquid spill and other hazards from floors immediately
- If floor is wet, use appropriate signs to indicate that extra care is required or direct pedestrains via an alternate route
- Report any damaged floor or outdoor surfaces that may be a hazard
- Report any issues with lighting which may cause low visibility (i.e. lodge a maintenance request for the faulty lighting)
- Maintain walkways, thoroughfares and stairs free of equipment, debris and cables
- Avoid use of extension cords and cables running across thoroughfares, walkways and stairs
- Ensure any matting used near doorways does not introduce a new trip hazard
- Undertake regular workplace inspections to identify any slip, trip or fall hazards and use the Slips trips and falls checklist
- Slow down and allow enough time to reach your destination, especailly if the path is unfamiliar (including overseas, interstate or other areas off campus)
Further information
Preventing slips, trips and falls training video
Code of practice - managing the risk of falls at workplaces
Code of practice - managing the work environment and facilities
Slips and trips at the workplace - fact sheet SafeWork australia
Ladder safety
