Managing trip hazards in your office

Keep floors clear

An obvious start is to keep areas where people frequently walk clear from hazards that may cause a slip, trip or fall. This could include:

• Having a secured doormat so that people don’t track water or debris into the building that people could slip on.
• Keep walkways free from litter or clutter.
• Ensure that electrical leads are neatly tied together and kept away from walkways.
• Clean up spills immediately. If this isn’t possible, place a warning sign that there is a slip hazard.
• Use signage to warn people in areas that might have just been cleaned and may still be wet.
• Fix uneven flooring and place signs that warn of the hazard.

Establish a safe working environment

Using the right equipment to perform duties or tasks will help to keep everyone in your office safer whilst working.

• Use appropriate equipment such as a ladder to reach high places instead of boxes, chairs or desks.
• Make sure that carpets are in good condition with no bulges or excessive wear and tear.
• Replace broken lightbulbs as soon as possible to avoid dimly lit areas where hazards may be hidden.
• Install handrails in areas that could be difficult to walk on, such as stairs.
• If available, your team should only carry heavy items in a lift.
• Only use designated walking areas and try to avoid electrical equipment or storage areas.
• Consider installing mirrors on blind corners to minimise the potential of your team walking into each other.
• Try and have windows on your doors so that people can see what is on the other side and won’t go through too quickly.
• Encourage your team to walk through the building rather than running.