Common workplace slip, trips and falls (and the injuries they cause)

What are slips, trips and falls? 

Slips, trips and falls are where a person loses their balance and has an accident due to to slipping or tripping, or falling, over something. This is often as a result of a hazard or danger they encounter. An accident caused by a slip, trip or fall can happen anywhere but is particularly common in workplaces.

How common are slips, trips and falls in workplaces?

Slips, trips and falls in workplaces are common and account for costs of over £300 million pounds per year. Out of all workplace injuries, slips, trips and falls make up about 30%. 

Which workplaces are they most likely to occur in?

Slips, trips and falls could take place in any workplace. It is not so much about what type of workplace it is but the hazards and dangers that could cause a slip, trip or fall accident to occur.

What are the most common causes of slips, trips and falls?

There are many common causes of slips, trips and falls in the workplace such as:

• getting up from your chair at your desk
• wet floors
• tripping on kerbs and steps
• changes in surface levels
• tripping over hazards such as boxes and rubbish
• shocks from electric cables
• slippery floors
• dusty floors
• poor lighting
• icy conditions
• poor flooring

Slips in particular can be caused by:

• contamination
• cleaning
• types of flooring
• wrong footwear
• the environment

What injuries could occur from a slip, trip or fall?

Although slips, trips and falls in the workplace are rarely fatal, they can cause painful injuries. For example, injuries from a slip, trip or fall in the workplace could cause:

• an electric shock
• broken bones
• dislocations
• twisted ankle
• sprained foot
• head injury
• back injury

Who is responsible for a slip, trip or fall in a workplace?

All accidents that happen in the workplace are potentially the responsibility of the employer. This includes a slip, trip or fall in a workplace. 

This is because an employer has a legal duty to do what they reasonably can to keep those in the workplace healthy and safe.

What measures should be taken to help prevent such accidents?

Many measures can be taken to prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace. For example:

• ensuring cables are placed out of the way
• storing items safely such as worker's bags
• checking carpets are not loose
• ensuring walkways are safe and appreciate
• adequate storage facilities
• eliminating obstructions
• using good lighting
• providing handrails on stairs
• cleaning spillages quickly 
• regularly maintaining a workplace
• using signage to indicate that floors are wet
• providing ramps for uneven floors

Does the Employer's Liability cover such slip, trip or fall accidents?

An employer has a legal responsibility to ensure their employees at work are kept healthy and safe so far as is reasonably practicable.  This includes ensuring that they do not have a workplace slip, trip or fall. Therefore, if they fail to do this and an employee has a slip, trip or fall accident in the workplace, the employer's liability insurance will cover it. 

Think you could make a claim? 

If you have suffered an accident due to a slip, trip or fall in the workplace you could be owed compensation. This is when the accident in the workplace was the fault of your employer or someone they employ. If so, you can make a claim.

There are many places where people slip, trip or fall in the workplace. For example, office accidents and accidents involving manual labour jobs. National Accident Helpline, completely understands that an accident at work, such as through a slip, trip or fall can have a massive impact on your life. Therefore, we know it is fair and just that you get the compensation you are due.

So ask National Accident Helpline to help you make an accident at work today for your slip, trip or fall accident. Call , request a call back here or even start your claim online. 

How do I make an accident at work claim?

Making an accident at work claim with National Accident Helpline when you suffer an accident at work is simple and stress-free. An accident at work such as a trip, slip or fall can completely change your daily life. It can even prevent you from working and earning money, so you must make a claim.

At National Accident Helpline, your claim process is simple. And we provide the added bonus of being able to calculate your potential compensation online by using our compensation calculator. Our advisors are friendly and kind and will listen carefully to your situation to help you with the compensation you deserve. Next, they pass your claim details to one of our many highly experienced solicitors who will complete your claim.

If you suffered an injury in the workplace through, for example, a slip, trip or fall at work, you can make your compensation claim with us on a no-win no no-fee basis. This allows you to make a personal injury claim for a slip, trip or fall in the workplace, with no risk on your behalf. 

Had an accident in the workplace and want to claim your personal injury compensation? Then call us today on . We can make a compensation claim for you right away. If it is easier, you can request a call back here or even begin your claim online.