SLP/General/TBT-SLP-001

Slips, Trips and Falls Awareness

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Slips, Trips and Falls Awareness

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-SLP-001  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
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What?

  • Slips, trips, and same-level falls account for more injuries on construction sites than any other single cause.
  • Common causes include trailing cables, uneven ground, wet surfaces, poor lighting, and cluttered walkways.
  • These incidents result in broken bones, sprains, head injuries, and significant time off work.
  • The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require safe walking routes and good housekeeping.
  • Construction sites are constantly changing, creating new trip hazards every day as work progresses.
  • Mud, ice, oil, water, and dust on walking surfaces dramatically increase the risk of slipping.
  • Poor lighting in corridors, stairwells, and external areas makes it harder to see and avoid hazards.
  • Rushing between tasks and carrying loads that block your view are major contributing factors.
  • Wearing appropriate safety footwear with good tread pattern and ankle support reduces slip risk significantly.
  • Most slips, trips, and falls are preventable through basic housekeeping and awareness.

Why?

Prevent serious injuryA simple trip can result in broken wrists, fractured skulls, or back injuries — the consequences are often severe.
Reduce lost timeSlip and trip injuries cause thousands of lost working days each year across the UK construction industry.
Everyone's responsibilityGood housekeeping protects you and everyone around you — a hazard you ignore may injure someone else.
Do Don't
  • Keep your work area tidy — clear waste, offcuts, and packaging as you go.
  • Route cables and hoses overhead or protect them with covered cable ramps.
  • Clean up spills of oil, water, or other liquids on walking surfaces immediately.
  • Use designated walkways and avoid taking shortcuts across the site.
  • Wear safety boots with good tread and ankle support suited to conditions.
  • Ensure adequate lighting is in place along all access routes and stairways.
  • Report uneven surfaces, potholes, damaged gratings, or broken steps straight away.
  • Use handrails on stairs and ramps and take one step at a time.
  • Watch where you are walking and look out for hazards, especially in new areas.
  • Spread grit or sand on icy paths and walkways during cold weather.
  • DON'T leave materials, tools, or waste in walkways or access routes.
  • DON'T trail cables or hoses across pedestrian routes without protection.
  • DON'T walk past a spill without cleaning it up or reporting it immediately.
  • DON'T take shortcuts through uncleared or unlit areas of the site.
  • DON'T wear worn-out boots with no tread — replace them when grip is reduced.
  • DON'T work in poorly lit areas — request temporary lighting before starting.
  • DON'T ignore tripping hazards — fix them yourself or report them immediately.
  • DON'T run, rush, or jump on site — slow down, especially on stairs and slopes.
  • DON'T carry loads that block your view of the path ahead of you.
  • DON'T walk on icy or frozen surfaces without gritting or clearing them first.

See also: Good Housekeeping Standards | Cable Management on Site
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