This page gives you a school-focused template that you can copy into Word/Google Docs, print for site walks, and use to evidence hazards, controls, owners, and review dates. If you want the quick version first, start with the checklist.
Where slips and trips happen most in schools
Most incidents happen in "transition" zones — places where surface, lighting, crowding, or behaviour changes quickly. In schools, those tend to be:
- Main entrances and reception lobbies (wet shoes, mats shifting, glare)
- Corridor pinch points (bags on floors, pupils changing direction, doors opening)
- Stairs and step edges (worn nosings, poor contrast, rushed movement)
- Dining halls and food service areas (spills, residues, cleaning timing)
- Toilets and wash areas (water on floors, smooth finishes)
- External routes and playground edges (mud/leaves/algae, uneven surfacing)
- PE/sports routes (studs, wet kit, faster movement)
- After-school pick-up areas (crowding, prams, uneven kerbs)
A good assessment doesn't just list these areas — it records what actually happens there at the times they're busiest.
How to use this template in a school setting
Do your walk-through during conditions that reflect real use:
- Start of day drop-off
- Break / lunch movement
- End of day pick-up
- After cleaning
- Wet weather (if relevant to your risk)
For each hazard, record:
- the exact location and route users take
- what could happen and who is at risk (pupils, staff, visitors, contractors)
- existing controls in place
- further controls required with a named owner and close-out date
If an area is high risk, apply interim controls immediately (restrict access, increase supervision, temporary signage, rapid clean), then log the permanent fix.
Simple risk rating (usable on site)
Severity (S)
1 = Minor injury
2 = Injury requiring treatment / time off
3 = Serious injury
Likelihood (L)
1 = Unlikely
2 = Possible
3 = Likely
Risk score = S × L
1–2 Low, 3–4 Medium, 6–9 High (act now)
School slips & trips risk assessment template (copy/paste)
1) Assessment details
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| School name | |
| Address | |
| Areas assessed | |
| Assessment date | |
| Assessor name & role | |
| Reviewer (SLT / site manager / H&S) | |
| People at risk | |
| Age ranges present | |
| SEN / accessibility considerations | |
| Peak movement times | |
| Cleaning schedule summary | |
| Prior incidents / near-misses (summary) | |
| Related documents |
2) Scope and assumptions
Included buildings / routes (blocks, corridors, stairwells, halls, entrances):
External routes included (gates, paths, playground edges, car parks):
Events/activities considered (PE, assemblies, clubs, deliveries):
Temporary works present? (yes/no) If yes, where and what controls:
Accessibility needs that change routes or behaviour (ramps, lifts, quiet routes):
3) School overview (what you observed)
Use short bullets. Keep it factual.
Entrance condition and matting:
Floor surface types (corridors, halls, dining, sports, toilets):
Known contamination sources (rain tracking, food, cleaning residues, mud):
Lighting issues (shadow pools, glare, failed fittings):
Storage and housekeeping issues (bags, equipment, display stands):
High-wear hazards (step nosings, threshold strips, door closers):
External condition (potholes, algae, loose paving, drainage):
4) Hazard log (main record)
| Ref | Location / route | Hazard type | What could happen | People at risk | Existing controls | S | L | Score | Further controls required | Owner | Due date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slip/Trip/Fall | Open/Closed | ||||||||||
| 2 | Slip/Trip/Fall | Open/Closed | ||||||||||
| 3 | Slip/Trip/Fall | Open/Closed | ||||||||||
| 4 | Slip/Trip/Fall | Open/Closed | ||||||||||
| 5 | Slip/Trip/Fall | Open/Closed |
5) Interim controls and access decisions (for medium/high items)
| Ref(s) | Interim control applied now | Residual S | Residual L | Residual score | Restricted access? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | ||||||
| Yes/No |
6) Evidence and close-out
Photos taken (yes/no) Stored where:
Work orders raised (yes/no) Reference numbers:
Cleaning schedule updated (yes/no) From when:
Staff briefed (toolbox talk / briefing note) Date:
Pupil messaging (assemblies/posters) if used:
Review outcome recorded (date / changes made):
7) Review schedule
| Trigger | Yes/No | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| After incident / near-miss | ||
| After layout changes (class moves, room repurpose) | ||
| After contractor works | ||
| Seasonal (leaf fall / winter gritting) | ||
| Routine review (termly/annual) |
Next review date:
Reviewer:
Practical controls that work well in schools
These are common fixes that reduce incidents without disrupting day-to-day use.
Entrances and wet weather
- Secure, correctly sized entrance matting (no curling edges)
- A clear "wet weather" routine (extra checks at peak times)
- Drainage and tracked-in water control (don't rely on signs alone)
- A safe waiting zone for parents that avoids doorway bottlenecks
Corridors and classroom thresholds
- Keep routes predictable: reduce clutter and ad-hoc furniture in walkways
- Make changes in level obvious (contrast on edges and thresholds)
- Repair trip edges fast (temporary fixes often become new trip points)
Stairs
- Keep nosings high-contrast and intact
- Ensure handrails are secure and continuous where possible
- Fix lighting dead spots that hide step edges
Dining and food areas
- Align cleaning timing to real spills and real footfall
- Use cleaning methods that remove residues (not just spread them)
- Keep "spill response" equipment close to the point of use
External paths and playground edges
- Control algae and moss on shaded routes
- Fix uneven paving and potholes; mark hazards until repaired
- Maintain a gritting plan for cold weather and early starts
If you want help improving route clarity and "safe flow" (especially around entrances, crossings, and shared spaces), we can advise on practical marking and anti-slip options:
Common pitfalls and how we prevent them
A common failure is writing hazards too vaguely (for example, "corridor can be wet"). That doesn't help you fix anything or prove controls were reasonable. This template forces precise locations, real owners, and dates — which is what makes actions close.
Another common failure is relying on signs for a recurring issue. "Wet floor" signs can be a short-term control, but if wetness and tracking are routine, the durable fix is containment (mats/drainage), cleaning method, and surface suitability in the right zones.