General Hazards

Slips occur when there is too little friction or traction between your feet (or footwear) and the working surface, which results in a loss of balance. Common contributing causes of slips include:

• Wet contamination of the work surface (such as water, oil, grease, or soap)
• Dry contamination of the work surface (such as dust, granules, or spilled nuts and bolts)
• Loose or unsecured ladders
• Uneven or inconsistent traction on the work surface

Trips occur when your foot or leg strikes an object, resulting in a loss of balance. In a trip incident, your lower body hits an obstruction while your upper body continues to move forward. Common contributing causes of trips include:

• Uneven stairs or work surfaces
• Obstructed views
• Clutter

Even the slightest difference in the rise of a step or rung of a ladder can cause a person to trip and fall.

Falls occur when you are too far off your center of balance. Both slips and trips can lead to falls.

To learn more about Slips, Trips, & Falls visit our Construction Slips, Trips & Falls Online Training web page.