How to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls on a Construction Site

Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of injuries on construction sites. These accidents can result in minor bruises, serious fractures, or even fatalities, making it crucial to implement preventive measures. Construction sites are inherently hazardous due to uneven terrain, elevated work areas, and frequent exposure to changing weather conditions. 

By understanding the common causes of slips, trips, and falls, and adopting safety strategies such as proper footwear, hazard markings, and fall protection equipment, employees and employers can fulfil their legal duty to create a safer environment and reduce the risk of preventable injuries.

What Are Slips, Trips, and Falls?

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents, particularly on construction sites. These incidents may seem minor but can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.

Slips

Slips occur when there is insufficient traction between a worker’s footwear and the walking surface. These usually happen in construction sites on:

• Wet or oily floors.
• Loose materials like sand or gravel.
• Unexpected surface changes.

Trips

Trips happen when a worker’s foot strikes an obstacle, causing them to lose balance. Common causes in construction include:

• Uneven flooring
• Exposed cables
• Cluttered workspaces

Falls

Falls involve a person losing their footing and dropping to a lower level. On a construction site, they can be from:

• Ladders
• Scaffolding
• Roofs

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported 61,662 non-fatal injuries to employees in 2023/24, with 31% of that figure being from slips, trips and falls on the same level. This percentage was nearly double the next largest contributor, which demonstrates the imminent need for better prevention measures by employers.

What Is the Difference Between Fall Prevention and Fall Protection?

Both fall prevention and fall protection are crucial for workplace safety. Although they might seem similar at first, they serve two very distinct purposes.

• Fall Prevention aims to stop falls from occurring in the first place. For example, installing guardrails on elevated work areas or covering holes in flooring prevents workers from falling.
• Fall Protection focuses on reducing the impact if a fall does happen. Equipment like harnesses, lanyards, and safety nets can protect workers who lose their balance and fall from heights.

Using both strategies together is the only way to ensure proper protection against slips, trips and falls on a construction site. Without prevention, accidents are more likely to occur. Without protection, the consequences could be far more severe if an accident does occur.

What Are the Common Causes of Slips, Trips & Falls?

There are a number of common causes of slips, trips and falls on construction sites, and we’ve broken them down into some common scenarios they occur in specific to the industry.

Slips

• Wet or icy surfaces – A worker carrying materials across an unfinished concrete floor may slip on a wet patch caused by rain seeping in through an open area.
• Spilled liquids or oils – An oil leak from machinery can create a slick surface, increasing the risk of a worker losing their footing.
• Loose materials like dust or sand – Fine dust from cutting tiles or sanding surfaces can make smooth floors extremely slippery.
• Worn-out or unsuitable footwear – A worker wearing old boots with no tread might struggle to maintain stability on metal scaffolding in rainy conditions.

Trips

• Exposed cables, cords, or hoses – A power drill cord running across a narrow walkway can easily catch a worker’s foot, causing them to stumble.
• Uneven or broken flooring – A construction worker walking across a partially completed floor may trip over a raised section of plywood that hasn’t been properly secured.
• Poor lighting in work areas – In dimly lit stairwells, workers may not see small objects or gaps in flooring, leading to unnecessary trips.
• Tools and debris left on the ground – A misplaced hammer or loose bricks in a high-traffic walkway can cause an unsuspecting worker to trip and fall.

Falls

• Unsecured ladders or scaffolding – A worker climbing an unstable ladder that hasn’t been properly secured may lose balance and fall.
• Lack of guardrails on elevated areas – On a multi-story construction site, an unfinished balcony without a guardrail creates a significant fall hazard.
• Misuse of fall protection equipment – A worker improperly attaching a safety harness to an anchor point might fall from height without proper protection.
• Working on unstable or slippery surfaces – A roofer standing on a sloped metal roof without adequate grip protection could easily lose footing and fall.

Top 10 Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls on Construction Sites

Now you understand the severity and of commonality of slips, trips, and falls, you’d be wise to get to grips with the best ways to prevent them. There are number of control measures employers and employees can implement to keep workers safe.

Wear Construction-Grade Footwear

Ensure all workers wear steel-toe boots with slip-resistant soles. These boots provide traction on wet, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reducing the risk of slips.

Inspect Scaffolding Regularly

Before using scaffolding, check for loose planks, weak connections, and slippery surfaces. Proper inspection prevents unexpected collapses or falls from unstable platforms, and potential hazards can be spotted far sooner.

Use Non-Slip Mats on Sloped Surfaces

Ramps and inclines can be hazardous, especially in wet conditions. Anti-slip mats or grip-enhancing coatings improve traction and minimise the chance of slipping.

Install Temporary Handrails

Staircases and elevated walkways should have temporary handrails during construction. Handrails provide additional stability and support, reducing fall risks.

Secure Loose Cables and Hoses

Electrical cords, hoses, and other trip hazards should be properly fastened or covered. Using cord protectors or running cables along walls minimises the risk of workers tripping over them.

Address Weather Hazards Promptly

Outdoor construction sites are vulnerable to rain, ice, and snow. Apply salt to icy areas, set up temporary rain shelters, and use fans or blowers to dry wet surfaces to prevent slips and falls.

Clear Construction Debris Frequently

A cluttered site increases the risk of trips and falls. Implement a regular clean-up schedule to remove nails, tools, and scrap materials from workspaces and walkways.

Use Edge Protection on Open Floors

Installing guardrails or toe boards around the edges of unfinished floors prevents workers from accidentally stepping off and falling from heights.

Apply Anti-Slip Coatings to Work Surfaces

High-traffic areas, such as loading docks and platforms, should be treated with anti-slip coatings. These coatings provide extra grip, especially in wet or dusty conditions.

Mark Hazard Zones Clearly

Use bright-coloured tape, cones, or signs to highlight potential dangers like uneven ground, wet floors, or excavation zones. Clear markings alert workers to hazards before they become accidents.

Employee Training for Slips, Trips and Falls

By combining effective training, proper equipment, and proactive safety measures, construction sites can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls, ensuring a safer work environment for everyone.

If you’re looking for more information on slips, trips and falls we strongly recommend you look into some health and safety training options. The NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety gives you the knowledge and skills to protect employees against all manner of hazards and risks. Head over to the course page below, to see the full syllabus, frequently asked questions and even try a free demo of the online course.