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    Slips & Trips Risk Assessment Checklist (UK)

    Slips and trips are still among the most common causes of workplace injury in the UK. This checklist is designed to help you spot hazards quickly, record what you found, and agree practical controls that actually get done.

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    Use it for a quick walk-through before work starts, for weekly checks, after changes on site, and after any near-miss. It's written to be simple enough to use on a phone, but structured enough to support a formal risk assessment.

    How to use this checklist

    Start at the entrance and walk the route people actually take: parking → access points → walkways → work zones → storage areas → welfare → exits. Don't just look for obvious problems. Look for the "almost" hazards: the small changes that catch people out, especially when it's wet, dark, busy, or rushed.

    For each item, tick OK / Needs action / Not applicable, then record what's wrong, who owns the fix, and a date to close. If you can fix it immediately, do it and note "closed on site".

    If you need a fuller template, use: Slips & Trips Risk Assessment →

    Quick scoring (optional but useful)

    Use this to prioritise:

    • Severity (S): 1 minor / 2 injury / 3 serious injury
    • Likelihood (L): 1 unlikely / 2 possible / 3 likely
    • Risk score: S × L
    • Priority: 1–2 low, 3–4 medium, 6–9 high (act now)

    Checklist: access, floors, and walking routes

    A) Entrances, exits, and transition areas

    Entrances and doorways are high-risk because conditions change quickly: rainwater, grit, condensation, and temperature changes all show up here first. Transition areas also create glare and visual confusion that makes people miss changes in level or surface.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Mats present, secured, not curled
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Water is controlled (canopy, drainage, squeegee plan)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Door thresholds are even and clearly visible
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Lighting levels adequate (no shadow pools)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Floor surface appropriate for wet entry (not polished/slippy)

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    B) Internal floors and general housekeeping

    Most slip and trip incidents are linked to housekeeping and small defects rather than dramatic hazards. The goal here is consistency: predictable surfaces, clear routes, and no "surprises" underfoot.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Floors clean and dry (no film, grease, dust build-up)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    No trailing cables/hoses across walkways
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Walkways are kept clear of stored items
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Spill response equipment available and used
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Cleaning schedule matches usage (busy areas cleaned more)

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    C) Walkways, aisles, and pedestrian routes

    People follow habit. If the route is unclear or frequently blocked, they'll improvise, and that's where incidents happen. Your checklist should confirm that the intended route is the easiest route.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Pedestrian routes defined and unobstructed
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Changes in level are highlighted (edges marked, contrast)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Floor defects repaired (holes, cracked slabs, rocking tiles)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Ramps have suitable gradient and handrails where needed
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Route width supports foot traffic (and avoids pinch points)

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    Checklist: external areas and weather

    D) Car parks, yards, and outdoor routes

    Outdoor hazards are often predictable: water, algae, leaves, ice, uneven surfaces, and vehicle interaction. The controls are usually simple but need to be routine, especially in autumn/winter.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Surfaces even and stable (no potholes, loose gravel)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Drainage working (no standing water)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Algae/moss controlled on shaded areas
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Grit/salt plan in place for cold weather
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Pedestrians segregated from vehicles where possible

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    E) Steps, kerbs, crossings, and edges

    Trips happen where there's a change: kerb upstands, step nosings, and crossing points. If people can't see an edge, they will misjudge it, particularly in glare, low light, or when carrying loads.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Step nosings are visible and in good condition
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Handrails present and secure where needed
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Kerbs/edges are clearly defined (contrast, markings)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Crossing points are obvious and maintained
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    No broken/loose tactile paving (if present)

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    Checklist: lighting, signage, and visibility

    F) Lighting quality (not just "is there a light?")

    Lighting issues are often unevenness and glare, not total darkness. Shadows can hide steps, and glare can wash out changes in surface texture. Check at the times the site is busiest.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Consistent lighting on routes (no dead spots)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    No glare that reduces visibility of the floor
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Emergency lighting tested and recorded
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    External lighting adequate in winter hours

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    G) Signs, markings, and route guidance

    Good signage prevents improvisation. Markings help people follow the safe route without thinking, especially in warehouses, schools, leisure sites, and mixed pedestrian/vehicle environments.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Hazard warnings in place (wet floor, uneven surface)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Wayfinding is clear (arrows, keep-left/right rules)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Pedestrian routes marked where relevant
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Markings are visible and not worn away

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    Related: Walkway floor markings →

    Related: Anti-slip surfacing →

    Checklist: contamination and surface slip risk

    H) Wet areas, food/drink, oils, and dust

    Contamination is a leading driver of slips. Some sites can't eliminate contamination, so the focus is containment, cleaning, and surface selection (or treatment) where needed.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Spill sources identified (process leaks, entry rain, cleaning)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Spill response is fast (kit locations, responsibilities)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Cleaning method matches contamination (degreaser, scrub, rinse)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Slip-resistant surface present where needed
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    'Wet floor' controls used correctly (not left up all day)

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    If you need on-site solutions: Anti-slip walkways →

    Checklist: management controls

    I) People, training, and supervision

    Even with a good surface, behaviours and routines matter. If people are rushing, carrying awkward loads, or cutting across vehicle routes, your controls need to address real behaviour, not ideal behaviour.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Staff know reporting route for hazards/near-misses
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Responsibilities are assigned (who fixes what)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Footwear policy is suitable for the environment
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Contractors briefed on routes and site rules
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Regular inspections are scheduled and evidenced

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    J) Inspection, maintenance, and close-out

    The difference between a good system and "paper safety" is whether actions get closed. A single open hazard can sit for months if there's no owner, no date, and no review.

    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Defects are logged, prioritised, and tracked to close
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Temporary controls used until permanent fix completed
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Surface repairs are consistent (no patchwork trip edges)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Seasonal plan exists (leaf fall, frost, rain management)
    ☐ OK☐ Action☐ N/A
    Post-incident reviews feed back into controls

    Notes / actions / owner / due date:

    Common pitfalls and how we prevent them

    Most sites don't fail because they "ignore safety". They fail because controls drift: mats move, paint fades, routes get blocked, lighting degrades, and nobody owns the close-out.

    We prevent this by turning the checklist into a simple workflow: define the intended pedestrian route, make that route obvious with markings/signage where needed, remove predictable contamination sources, and then implement a repeatable inspection plan with named owners and dates.

    If you want help converting findings into practical site improvements, use: Get a quote →

    Printable action log (copy/paste)

    Area / location:

    Hazard found:

    Risk score (S×L):

    Immediate control applied:

    Permanent fix required:

    Owner:

    Target date:

    Closed date / evidence:

    FAQs

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