Importance of Slips, Trips and Falls on the Same Level

• Tragically people die as a result of work slips, trips and falls on the same level
• Every working day, nine people are hurt in work slips, trips and falls
• Slips, trips and falls are the second highest single cause of workplace injuries
• 22% of slips, trips and falls lead to over a month off work, compared to 17% of all other accidents 

• Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) were the most common workplace accident type for the Injuries Board
• “Nearly 50% of all claims made against retailers are slips, trips and falls cases” (Retail Ireland)
• “Slips, trips and falls are the largest cause of accidents in all sectors ... ” (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work)

Perception of Slips, Trips and Falls

In 2014, 23% of 1,058 HSA workplace visits found the workplace contact was not aware that slips, trips and falls are the second greatest cause of notified workplace accidents. The rate was higher in Agriculture (38%), Accommodation and Food (30%), Retail (26%) and Manufacturing (25%) In 2013, only 26% of 1,082 HSA workplace visits found the written risk assessment assigned a high risk to slips, trips and falls

People may inherently consider slips, trips and falls to be funny - so long as it is clear that no-one is hurt. This inherent perception can be a serious barrier in getting people to understand the seriousness of slips, trips and falls.

• "No laughing matter" video" (44 seconds) shows the inherent comedy of a trip - up to the point that someone is injured
• "Reality TV" video (34 seconds) shows a common TV format with slips, trips and falls because they are funny - so long as no-one is hurt

One article established that "people have a low risk-perception of using the stairs, which causes people to ... perform unsafe behaviours, resulting in greater likelihoods of injuries"

In a New Scientist article, half of workers believed it’s company’s responsibility (not theirs) to prevent slips and trips. It's important to make employees aware of their responsibility to take reasonable care of them self and others, co-operate with the employer and report dangers under Section 13 of the 2005 Act.