Housekeeping to Control (Slips,) Trips and Falls

In 2016, 18% of 658 HSA workplace visits found the slips, trips and falls risk assessment had not identified all reasonable precautions to prevent trips or falls on walkways In 2016, action was taken in 84% of 655 HSA workplace visits where the employer failed to put in place all reasonable precautions to prevent trips or falls on walkways

Items associated with trips and falls include food, stone(s)/ rock(s)/ rubble, cables/ wires, uneven/ rough surfaces, pallets, boxes, potholes...

• Regulation 18 of the General Application Regulations says that every place of work should be kept clean and accumulations removed as frequently as necessary
• Regulation 30 of the Construction Regulations 2006 says that a site must be safe and without risk of injury with safe access and egress
• 1.1.3 of Part A of Schedule 9 of the General Application Regulations says that places where there is a risk of colliding with obstacles or of falling shall be permanently marked with a safety colour or with signboards (or both)
• Housekeeping is vital - especially when busy
• Don't leave tidy up until the end of shift
• Keep floors & access routes clear
• Keep particularly messy operations away from pedestrian routes
• Ensure cleaning staff have received proper training, instruction and demonstrations where required

Surveys of footpaths and pedestrian areas for trip and fall hazards are available from private companies in Ireland

HSE UK has a wide range of case studies including housekeeping and cleaning regimes and maintenance of plant and the work environment

See Housekeeping Videos