Use this slips and trips risk assessment template to record hazards, who may be harmed, what controls are already in place, and what further actions are needed. It follows the core UK risk assessment structure: identify hazards, decide who might be harmed and how, evaluate risks and controls, record findings, and review. (HSE)
If your assessment identifies that grip needs improving on steps, ramps, entrances or walkways:
Copy/paste template
Organisation / site:
Specific area assessed: (e.g., main entrance, external steps, ramp to reception, walkway between buildings)
Assessor name:
Role/department:
Date completed:
Review date:
People consulted: (optional)
1) Hazards identified (slips and trips)
List the hazards present. Use the prompts below and delete anything not relevant.
Slip hazards
- Wet floors / rainwater tracked in
- Spillages (food/drink/cleaning fluids)
- Grease/oil contamination
- Algae/moss/leaf film outdoors
- Mud/grit tracked in
- Smooth/polished surfaces
- Inadequate cleaning method/frequency for environment
Trip hazards
- Uneven paving / broken edges
- Loose mats / curled edges
- Trailing cables
- Obstructions and clutter (poor housekeeping)
- Changes in level (unmarked)
- Damaged steps / inconsistent risers
- Poor lighting / glare
Notes / exact locations: (e.g., "outside main entrance doors", "top landing", "ramp midpoint near drain")
2) Who might be harmed and how?
Tick and add details:
- Staff
- Visitors / public
- Children / pupils
- Contractors / delivery personnel
- People with reduced mobility
- Older people
How they could be harmed: slips, trips, falls, sprains, fractures, head injuries.
3) Existing controls (what is already in place?)
Record controls currently used:
Cleaning/housekeeping
- Cleaning frequency and method:
- Spill response process:
- Housekeeping checks (who/how often):
Physical controls
- Entrance matting / water management:
- Signage / barriers for wet floors:
- Handrails on steps:
- Lighting condition and checks:
- Route segregation (pedestrian flow / barriers):
Maintenance controls
- Defect reporting method:
- Inspection frequency:
- Winter plan (gritting / ice management):
4) Risk level and adequacy of current controls
Likelihood (L): Low / Medium / High
Severity (S): Low / Medium / High
Overall risk: Low / Medium / High
Are current controls adequate? Yes / No
If "No", list what needs to change:
5) Further actions required (be specific)
List actions, owners, and deadlines:
| Action (what will be done) | Priority | Owner | Due date | Interim controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Examples of actions:
- Improve cleaning method/frequency in high-risk zones
- Fix ponding/drainage or reduce water tracking
- Repair uneven paving / damaged step edges
- Replace/secure mats; remove trip hazards
- Improve lighting
- Add/upgrade non-slip treatment on targeted zones (steps/ramps/entrances/walkways)
If you need remediation pricing:
6) Communication and monitoring
How will changes be communicated to staff/site users?
How will compliance be checked (e.g., weekly checks)?
Who monitors completion of actions?
7) Review and update triggers
Review this assessment:
- after an incident or near miss
- after changes to surfaces, layouts, cleaning regime, or footfall
- after seasonal change (winter/wet conditions)
- on the scheduled review date (HSE)
Quick location checklists (optional add-on)
Entrances
- Water tracked in?
- Matting adequate and maintained?
- Grit/mud build-up?
- Queue bottlenecks?
Related: Anti-slip school entrances →
Steps
- Worn edges / poor definition?
- Handrails secure?
- Lighting adequate?
- Contamination on treads/landings?
Related: Anti-slip stair nosing →
Ramps
- Persistent damp?
- Algae/shade zones?
- Turning points/landings high wear?
- Step-free access must remain open?
Related: Anti-slip ramp surfacing →
Walkways
- Uneven paving?
- Leaf/algae film?
- Poor drainage/puddling?
- Cleaning access constraints?
Related: Anti-slip walkway surfacing →