Slips, trips and falls can happen in almost any workplace and can result in serious injuries and fatalities. In 2024-25, 32,000 workers’ compensation claims were made for serious injuries arising from slips, trips and falls. To help employers better manage these risks, Safe Work Australia has released a new Guide to managing the risks of slips, trips and falls.
The guide provides practical information to help workplaces identify slip, trip and fall hazards and implement effective control measures. While these incidents are often linked to factors such as uneven surfaces, poor housekeeping or inadequate lighting, the guide also highlights broader factors that can contribute to the risk, including how work is organised and managed.
Designed as a practical, easy-to-use resource, the guide can be used across a wide range of industries and workplaces. It supports employers to take a proactive approach to identifying hazards, managing risks and creating safer work environments. The guide also includes a downloadable checklist which can be used to identify slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace.
Under work health and safety laws, employers have a duty to eliminate risks to health and safety, or minimise them as much as they reasonably can. Understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls is an important part of meeting these obligations and preventing harm at work.
The Guide to managing the risks of slips, trips and falls is now available on the Safe Work Australia website.
