Educational checklist examples for safety, equipment and operational tasks — what a checklist covers, who uses it and how it connects to forms, inspections and training. Informational only — template examples to adapt, not official documents or legal advice; completing a checklist does not guarantee compliance and employers remain responsible.
What a slips, trips and falls checklist is
A slips, trips and falls checklist guides a focused look at the conditions that cause same-level falls, prompting the inspector to check floor surfaces, contamination, obstructions, changes in level and lighting consistently each time.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their inspections must cover.
Purpose
- Identify slip risks from spills, wet floors and contamination.
- Identify trip risks from obstructions, leads and changes in level.
- Check footwear, matting and cleaning regimes are working.
- Record acceptable conditions and items needing action.
Who completes it
- A person appointed by the employer — often a supervisor, facilities lead or safety representative.
- With input from people who work in and clean the area.
- Checked across different times and conditions where possible.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the inspector is competent.
When it is used
- On a routine cycle set by the employer for the area.
- After changes to flooring, cleaning or layout.
- Following a slip, trip or near miss.
- In wet weather or where contamination is likely.
Typical items
- Floor surfaces sound, even and appropriate for the area.
- Spills, contamination and wet floors controlled and signed.
- Walkways clear of obstructions, leads and clutter.
- Changes in level, ramps and steps visible and safe.
- Lighting, matting and footwear adequate.
- Example items only — adapt to the area and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Only looking when floors are dry and tidy.
- Leaving spills uncleared or wet-floor signs out permanently.
- Ignoring trailing leads, mats with curled edges and clutter.
- Recording risks without changing cleaning or layout.
Document workflow
A slips, trips and falls checklist works with the area risk assessment and the wider workplace inspection, which set the context, and feeds an action log for anything found. A pattern of near misses may trigger a review of flooring, cleaning or layout; an injury leads to an accident report and a review of controls.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used before, alongside and after this check.
Retention (high level)
Completed slips, trips and falls checks are generally kept for as long as they help show the area is monitored and for trend tracking, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
These checks are commonly completed and shared as PDFs so findings can attach to an action log and be stored as a record. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the check official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Tackle slip and trip causes at source — cleaning, layout, flooring.
- Make spill response quick and signage temporary, not permanent.
- Inspect across different times, weather and conditions.
- Turn findings and near misses into owned, dated actions.
Worker notes
- Clear or report spills and obstructions straight away.
- Keep walkways clear and tuck away leads.
- Wear suitable footwear and report damaged flooring.
Country considerations
Most countries expect employers to control slip and trip risks, but the detail and record-keeping rules differ, and the official authority varies. This page is high-level and general — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a checklist is valid anywhere.
Always confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for controlling slip and trip risks, for monitoring conditions and for acting on findings, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your inspections must cover, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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