Factors in Slips, Trips and Falls on the Same Level

Factors in Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) include wet surfaces, stairs and steps (especially descending), vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), ice (snow), walkways, uneven surfaces, floor cleaning, entrances and exits, bathrooms and no hazard found.

Six sectors account for 55% of the workforce but 81% of slips, trips and falls (STF). These “Big Six” sectors are …

Transport + Public Admin + Healthcare + Industry (NACE B to E) + Construction + Retail = 81% of all STF

Transport Sector STF Factors

Transport (NACE Category H) accounts for 12% of all slips, trips and falls (STF).

Factors in Transport slips, trips and falls include vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), ice (snow), stairs and steps (especially descending), wet surfaces, walkways, uneven surfaces, yards, kerbs, ramps/ slopes and cables 

Public Admin Sector STF Factors

Public Admin (NACE Category O) accounts for 11% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Public Admin slips, trips and falls include stairs and steps (especially descending), uneven surfaces, wet surfaces, ice (snow), vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), walkways, pursuit, entrances and exits, carparks and outside areas

Healthcare Sector STF Factors

Healthcare (NACE Category Q) accounts for 18% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Healthcare slips, trips and falls include wet surfaces, walkways, stairs and steps (especially descending), floor cleaning, ice (snow), uneven surfaces, bathroom areas, entrances and exits, vehicles (especially exiting vehicles) and outside areas

Industry Sector STF Factors

Industry (NACE Categories B to E) accounts for 17% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Industry slips, trips and falls include stairs and steps (especially descending), wet surfaces, vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), ice (snow), uneven surfaces, walkways, cables, floor cleaning, pallets and entrances and exits 

Construction Sector STF Factors

Construction (NACE Category F) accounts for 10% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Construction slips, trips and falls include stairs and steps (especially descending), vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), uneven surfaces, ice (snow), walkways, wet surfaces, stones, entrances and exits, outside areas and cables 

Retail Sector STF Factors

Retail (NACE Category G) accounts for 14% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Retail slips, trips and falls include wet surfaces, stairs and steps (especially descending), vehicles (especially exiting vehicles), entrances and exits, floor cleaning, food spill, cold room, shop aisle, no hazard found and ice (snow)

Non-workers are hurt in retail STF

From 2010 to 2020, no STF risk assessment was found in 31% of over 1,800 Retail visits.

In 2018 and 2019, 18% of workplace visits found slips, trips and falls on stairs/ steps not included in the risk assessment. The rate was 52% in Retail.

In 2014, 71% of workplace visits found no activities restricted on stairs and steps. The retail rate was 56%. By 2020, only 16% of workplace visits found no activities restricted on stairs and steps. The retail rate was still 56%.

Retailers who sell safety footwear and/ or flooring must consider the safety information/literature provided

Retail Ireland advise “it would appear that claims resulting from slips, trips and falls have risen” and “nearly 50% of all claims made against retailers are slips, trips and falls cases” (February 2013)

"Shopper awarded €1.4m after slipping on grapes" (May 2016)

Catering and Hospitality Sector STF Factors

Catering and Hospitality (NACE Category I) accounts for 3% of all slips, trips and falls.

Factors in Catering and Hospitality slips, trips and falls include wet surfaces, stairs and steps (especially descending), kitchens, floor cleaning, bathrooms, entrances and exits, no hazard found,  restaurants, walkways and ice (snow)