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Slips Trips and Falls Risk Assessment

Slips Trips and Falls Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
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  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Slips Trips and Falls Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Slips, Trips and Falls through a structured, management-level Risk Assessment that drives policy, planning, training and system-wide controls. This document supports executive Due Diligence, strengthens WHS Risk Management practices, and helps demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act while protecting your business from operational and legal exposure.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Policy and Leadership: Assessment of board and senior management oversight, safety policy, responsibilities and leadership expectations specific to slips, trips and falls.
  • Risk Management Framework & Hazard Assessment: Management of systematic identification, assessment and review of STF hazards across all work areas, tasks and work groups.
  • Workplace Design, Layout & Traffic Management: Evaluation of pedestrian routes, vehicle interfaces, congestion points and layout decisions that influence STF exposure.
  • Flooring, Surface Selection & Maintenance Systems: Assessment of floor surface types, slip resistance criteria, inspection schedules and maintenance programs.
  • Housekeeping, Storage & Material Handling Systems: Management of clutter, storage locations, trip hazards, materials handling practices and workflow organisation.
  • Wet Areas, Contamination & Spill Management: Protocols for controlling liquids, weather ingress, contaminants, spill response and drying times in high-risk zones.
  • Stairs, Ramps, Ladders & Elevated Access Systems: Assessment of design, guarding, handrails, step geometry, ladder selection and safe access systems.
  • Lighting, Visibility & Signage: Management of illumination levels, contrast, visibility of changes in level, hazard markings and warning signage.
  • Procurement, Contractor Management & Supply Chain Controls: Integration of STF requirements into purchasing decisions, contractor agreements and supplier performance.
  • Cleaning, Maintenance & Out-of-Hours Activities: Controls for cleaning methods, timing, barricading, maintenance work and after-hours operations that affect STF risk.
  • Worker Competency, Training & Awareness: Assessment of induction, refresher training, supervision and competency requirements related to slips, trips and falls.
  • Worker Consultation, Reporting & Safety Culture: Systems for engaging workers, encouraging reporting of hazards and near misses, and building a proactive safety culture.
  • Incident Management, Investigation & Corrective Actions: Protocols for incident notification, root cause analysis, trend monitoring and close-out of corrective actions.
  • Fatigue, Workload & Work Organisation Factors: Evaluation of staffing levels, shift patterns, time pressure and task design that can increase STF risk.
  • Emergency Planning, Evacuation & Business Continuity: Assessment of emergency egress routes, muster areas, evacuation drills and continuity planning with respect to STF hazards.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Senior Managers, Safety Professionals and WHS Coordinators responsible for planning, governing and reviewing Slips, Trips and Falls risk controls across their organisation.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Policy and Leadership for Slips, Trips and Falls
  • • Absence of a formal, documented Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) prevention policy aligned with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations
  • • Senior management not clearly accepting due diligence obligations for STF risk management
  • • Lack of clearly defined STF safety objectives, targets and performance indicators
  • • Inadequate allocation of budget and resources to manage STF risks (e.g. flooring upgrades, lighting, maintenance, training)
  • • No clear assignment of roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for STF prevention across the organisation
  • • Failure to integrate STF risk management into overall WHS management system and strategic planning
2. Risk Management Framework and Assessment of STF Hazards
  • • No systematic process in place to identify STF hazards across all work locations and activities
  • • Risk assessments conducted informally or not documented, leading to inconsistent controls
  • • Failure to consider foreseeable non-routine situations (e.g. cleaning, maintenance, emergency evacuations, peak customer periods)
  • • Inadequate assessment of external areas such as car parks, loading docks, access paths and shared areas
  • • Risk assessments not considering different worker groups (e.g. contractors, visitors, young workers, persons with disability)
  • • Lack of periodic review of STF risk assessments following incidents, near misses, changes in layout or introduction of new plant
3. Workplace Design, Layout and Traffic Management
  • • Poor workplace layout causing congestion and people walking through high-risk operational or storage zones
  • • Inadequate separation of pedestrian and vehicle routes leading to hurried movements and trip hazards
  • • Narrow or cluttered walkways, bottlenecks and blind corners increasing risk of collision and falls
  • • Inappropriate location of amenities, storerooms or printers leading to unnecessary travel and shortcutting through unsafe areas
  • • Lack of consistent design standards for stairs, ramps, thresholds and changes in level across the workplace
  • • Inadequate allocation of secure storage areas leading to materials being stored in walkways
4. Flooring, Surface Selection and Maintenance Systems
  • • Selection of floor surfaces with poor slip resistance in wet or contaminated conditions
  • • Lack of documented specification for slip-resistant flooring in high-risk areas (kitchens, bathrooms, entries, external paths)
  • • Degradation of floor surfaces (cracks, loose tiles, lifted carpet, uneven joints) due to age or poor maintenance
  • • Use of inappropriate floor finishes, polishes or sealants that increase slipperiness
  • • Failure to manage cables, hoses and temporary services crossing pedestrian routes
  • • No systematic inspection program for flooring defects and surface contamination
5. Housekeeping, Storage and Material Handling Systems
  • • Inconsistent housekeeping standards leading to items being left on floors and walkways
  • • Lack of clear procedures for immediate clean-up of spills or dropped materials
  • • Inadequate storage systems resulting in overstocking aisles and encroachment into walkways
  • • Poor waste management processes causing bins to overflow and waste to be stored on the floor
  • • No defined responsibilities for maintaining clear access ways, stairs and emergency exits
  • • Use of ad-hoc storage (e.g. stacking items on top of cupboards or in corridors) that creates fall and trip hazards
6. Wet Areas, Contamination and Spill Management
  • • Water and other liquids tracked from outdoors in wet weather, especially at entrances and transition zones
  • • Inadequate management of spills from processes, cleaning, food service or bathrooms
  • • Absence of suitable entrance matting systems at external doors
  • • Poor drainage design leading to pooling water inside or outside buildings
  • • No established system to monitor and manage condensation, leaks or plumbing failures
  • • Inconsistent access to spill response equipment and lack of clarity on responsibility for spill response
7. Stairs, Ramps, Ladders and Elevated Access Systems
  • • Non-compliant design or inconsistent dimensions of stairs and ramps increasing likelihood of missteps
  • • Absence or poor condition of handrails, guardrails and anti-slip nosings on stairs and ramps
  • • Use of portable ladders instead of safer access systems due to poor planning or lack of equipment
  • • Inadequate inspection and maintenance of fixed ladders, platforms and mezzanine access
  • • Visual contrast on stair edges and landings insufficient for persons with impaired vision
  • • Lack of administrative controls governing safe selection, inspection and use of portable ladders
8. Lighting, Visibility and Signage
  • • Insufficient lighting levels in corridors, stairs, external paths and car parks
  • • Glare, shadowing or inconsistent lighting causing poor depth perception or masking of hazards
  • • Burnt-out or damaged light fittings not replaced in a timely manner due to lack of reporting or maintenance systems
  • • Inadequate or unclear signage warning of temporary hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces or work in progress
  • • Poorly marked changes in level, low headroom or non-obvious obstructions in pedestrian routes
9. Procurement, Contractor Management and Supply Chain Controls
  • • Procurement decisions based solely on cost without consideration of STF risk performance (e.g. low-quality flooring or matting)
  • • Engagement of contractors (cleaners, maintenance, construction) without clear STF requirements in contracts and scopes of work
  • • Suppliers and delivery drivers creating trip hazards (e.g. pallets, packaging, trolleys) in pedestrian routes
  • • Hire or purchase of equipment (e.g. ladders, trolleys, mobile plant) without assessment of STF implications
  • • Lack of coordination between multiple contractors working simultaneously, leading to poorly controlled temporary hazards
10. Cleaning, Maintenance and Out-of-Hours Activities
  • • Cleaning schedules that coincide with peak pedestrian traffic, leading to exposure to wet or treated floors
  • • Cleaners and maintenance workers not following agreed controls for barricading, signage and access restriction
  • • Use of cleaning chemicals and methods that temporarily increase slipperiness without adequate control
  • • Out-of-hours work leading to reduced supervision, poor lighting and use of shortcuts in access routes
  • • Failure to coordinate maintenance activities (e.g. cabling, open floor panels, temporary ramps) with workplace operations
11. Worker Competency, Training and Awareness
  • • Workers and supervisors not understanding their duties under the WHS Act 2011 in relation to STF prevention
  • • Lack of specific training on identifying STF hazards and implementing control measures
  • • New and young workers unfamiliar with site-specific STF risks and reporting processes
  • • Supervisors not competent to monitor STF controls and enforce housekeeping standards
  • • Complacency or normalisation of deviance, where minor STF hazards are tolerated as ‘part of the job’
12. Worker Consultation, Reporting and Safety Culture
  • • Insufficient consultation with workers and Health and Safety Representatives about STF risks and controls
  • • Workers not reporting minor STF incidents, hazards or near misses due to fear of blame or belief that nothing will change
  • • Lack of mechanisms to capture and act on suggestions for improved STF controls from frontline workers
  • • Inadequate feedback to workers on actions taken in response to reported STF issues, leading to disengagement
  • • Cultural acceptance of poor housekeeping, rushing and unsafe shortcuts
13. Incident Management, Investigation and Corrective Actions
  • • Under-reporting of STF incidents and near misses, resulting in missed learning opportunities
  • • Superficial incident investigations that focus on individual behaviour rather than systemic causes
  • • Lack of structured root cause analysis for significant STF incidents
  • • Corrective actions not addressing underlying design, maintenance or procedural weaknesses
  • • Poor tracking and close-out of STF-related corrective actions
14. Fatigue, Workload and Work Organisation Factors
  • • High workloads and time pressure causing rushing, reduced attention and increased STF risk
  • • Inadequate management of fatigue from long hours, shift work or irregular rosters impacting coordination and decision making
  • • Poorly planned work sequences that require frequent carrying of loads over long distances or multiple levels
  • • Insufficient rest breaks leading to reduced alertness and greater chance of missteps
  • • Lack of flexibility to adjust tasks for workers with temporary or permanent mobility limitations
15. Emergency Planning, Evacuation and Business Continuity
  • • Evacuation routes that include unmanaged STF hazards such as uneven surfaces, cluttered corridors or poorly lit stairs
  • • Emergency drills not accounting for people with limited mobility or sensory impairments
  • • Lack of planning for STF risk during emergency scenarios (e.g. wet external assembly points, panic and crowding)
  • • Inadequate maintenance of emergency lighting and exit signage creating fall risks during power outages
  • • No contingency arrangements for maintaining STF controls during disruptive events (e.g. flooding, construction, temporary relocations)

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Guidance on risk management principles and processes.
  • Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Requirements for floors, stairs, lighting, access and egress.
  • Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Controls and planning for falls on the same level and from heights.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines.
  • AS 1657:2018: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders — Design, construction and installation.
  • AS/NZS 4586:2013: Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.
  • AS/NZS 4663:2013: Slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces.
  • AS 1428.1:2021: Design for access and mobility — General requirements for access — New building work.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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