Trip hazards can be found in the office, home or commercial and public areas. It’s always important to adopt the prevention rather than cure approach by identifying trip hazards before someone becomes injured. Using a hazard identification and risk management process which identifies the hierarchy of controls can mitigate risks involved with slips, trips and falls.

Between 2003 and 2015 23% of serious work cover claims were a result of injuries caused by slips, trips and falls (source: safeworkaustralia.gov.au). The most common injuries are musculoskeletal, fractures, dislocations, cuts and bruises. More serious injuries can also happen.

For the elderly, a simple trip can result in serious injury and sometimes death from broken bones, in particular hips through to head injuries.

For Office Managers and Safety Officers it is imperative that trips hazards are controlled in order to ensure a safe work environment for employees.

Below are some suggestions on how to identify and also control these hazards.

Where appropriate, workplace staff should be encouraged to identify any trip hazards and if possible remove them immediately or isolate the area and then report it to key personnel. Additionally, it could be useful to ensure staff are trained properly to understand how slips or trips can occur. Ensuring staff are aware of what a safe work environment looks like will help increase the precautions they take. If employees are involved at all levels when looking at risks and agreeing to safety measures it is more likely that a hazard will be tackled successfully and with a higher level of compliance.

Cables: Power cables and a high risk for tripping if not managed correctly. This can be easily and safely managed with the use of Tripsafe Cable Covers. 

In meeting rooms, offices, at home and any carpeted environment where there is potential risk the Tripsafe Cable Covers for Carpet offers an effective solution. 

For non carpeted areas the Tripsafe Cable Covers for Hardfloors offers the same protection from cables and neither of them damage the floor. 

They can both be temporarily or permanently positioned in the same location .

Boxes: Anything left on the group in a walkway area or at a low height poses a risk particular if it is unusual for items to be placed in the area.

Wet Floors: If it is unavoidable then adjust your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing. Walk with the feet pointed slightly outward and make wide turns at corners.

Drawers: Always ensure bottom drawers and filing cabinets are kept closed when not using them.

Poor lighting: Keeping working areas and walkways well-lit and replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches. If entering a dark room always use a torch.

Clutter: Removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping walkways free of clutter

Unanchored mats and rugs: Securing (tacking, taping, etc.) mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat

Carrying: Making sure the items you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc.