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Common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents

Common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents

16 Nov 2025

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are a significant concern, frequently leading to injuries and time off work. These incidents are often preventable and stem from a variety of factors across different environments, including workplaces, public spaces, and residential areas.

Common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents in Ireland include:

Workplace Hazards

Workplaces are a common setting for these accidents, with several recurring issues identified:

Poor Housekeeping: Cluttered work areas, improperly stored materials, and obstructed pathways are primary causes. Loose cables, extension cords, and unattended tools create tripping hazards. Good housekeeping, including regular obstacle removal, prompt spill cleanup, and securing loose items, is essential for prevention.
Wet or Slippery Surfaces: Spilled liquids, wet floors from cleaning or rainwater, and greasy substances make walking surfaces hazardous. Insufficient drainage, ineffective matting, or improper cleaning techniques exacerbate the risk. Employers should use warning signs, clean and dry wet floors promptly, and install slip-resistant flooring or matting in prone areas.
Uneven or Damaged Flooring: Cracked, broken, or uneven surfaces can cause individuals to lose balance. Regular inspection and prompt repair of flooring, including fixing loose tiles and filling cracks, are crucial.
Inadequate Lighting: Dimly lit stairwells, hallways, or work areas obscure hazards and increase accident risk. Ensuring all areas are well-lit, especially high-traffic zones and staircases, and regularly replacing burnt-out bulbs can enhance visibility.
Improper Use of Ladders and Equipment: Lack of training on ladder safety, incorrect setup, overreaching, or inappropriate equipment use can lead to falls. Comprehensive training on ladder safety and equipment use is vital.
Lack of Safety Equipment: Absence or improper use of guardrails, handrails, and protective barriers, especially in elevated areas, increases risk. Employers must ensure necessary safety measures, including PPE like non-slip footwear and fall protection systems, are in place.
Lack of Employee Awareness and Training: Insufficient training on identifying hazards and proper prevention techniques contributes to accidents. Regular safety training sessions are essential to foster a culture of safety.
Rushing or Distraction: Employees who are hurried or distracted may not pay attention to their surroundings, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Encouraging mindfulness and avoiding distractions like mobile devices can mitigate these risks.
Improper Storage and Handling of Materials: Unstable or excessively high stacks of objects, or heavy items not properly lifted, can cause falls. Clear guidelines for material storage and handling, including proper stacking and lifting equipment use, are necessary.
Lack of Risk Assessment and Prevention Strategies: Failure to conduct thorough risk assessments and implement control measures leaves workplaces vulnerable. Regular assessments to identify hazards and implement solutions like handrails, anti-slip surfaces, and clear signage are critical.
Specific Workplace Environments: Construction sites, warehouses, factories, offices, and agricultural sites are particularly susceptible to slips, trips, and falls due to spillages, obstructions, and poor lighting.

Public and Residential Area Hazards

Slips, trips, and falls are not limited to workplaces and can occur in various public and private settings:

External Areas: Poorly maintained entrances, car parks, and footpaths with uneven paving, poor lighting, or wet leaves increase fall risks. Severe weather conditions like rain, ice, and snow create major hazards, especially for vulnerable individuals. Gritting, matting, and regular checks are essential.
Internal Public Areas: Corridors, wards, waiting rooms, and treatment areas in healthcare settings, as well as shops and restaurants, can have hazards like cluttered trolleys, dropped items, wet floors, and uneven flooring. Business owners have a duty to keep these spaces safe.
Wet Areas: Kitchens, bathrooms, and sluice rooms are high-risk due to water on floors. Slip-resistant flooring, handrails, and strict cleaning schedules are important.
Spillages: Spills of liquids, body fluids, or medicines in clinical or public areas are immediate slip risks and require prompt cleanup with appropriate equipment.
Flooring Issues: Smooth, cleanable flooring can become slippery when wet. Slip-resistant flooring should be used and maintained in good condition. Loose or worn flooring, patterned carpets on stairs, and changes in surface level are also hazards.
Trailing Cables and Leads: Temporary cabling for equipment should be positioned safely, away from walkways, or secured with cable covers.
Poor Housekeeping: Clutter on floors and stairs, like loose mats or trailing cables, increases the risk of falls in homes.
Inadequate Lighting: Dim or flickering lights in corridors, car parks, or stairwells, and poor outdoor lighting, can prevent people from spotting hazards.
Weather Conditions: Ice or snow left untreated outside buildings and slippery algae or moss on walkways are common causes.
Individual Factors: Poor eyesight, inappropriate footwear (e.g., loose slippers), rushing, tiredness, lack of mobility or balance, and certain medical conditions or medications can increase an individual’s susceptibility to falls.

Legal and Preventative Measures

Property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. This includes businesses, local authorities, public transport providers, and landlords. Failure to identify and address hazards can lead to legal responsibility if an injury occurs. Preventative measures include effective management systems, risk assessments, prompt cleanup of spillages, proper training, and appropriate footwear. Hazard mapping can also be used to identify and address high-risk zones.