An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a slips, trips and falls risk assessment is
A slips, trips and falls risk assessment examines floors, walkways, stairs and work areas for hazards such as wet or contaminated surfaces, trailing cables, uneven floors, poor lighting and obstructions, and records the measures that prevent same-level falls — one of the most common causes of workplace injury.
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 assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify slip, trip and fall hazards across the workplace.
- Address flooring, contamination, obstacles, lighting and stairs.
- Record housekeeping, maintenance and cleaning controls.
- Reduce a common cause of injury through simple measures.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer.
- With input from those who work in and clean the areas.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- For areas where people walk, work and use stairs.
- When layouts, flooring, processes or cleaning change.
- After a slip, trip or fall, or a report of a hazard.
- On a review cycle defined by the employer.
Typical fields
- Area assessed, date and assessor.
- Hazards — wet floors, spills, cables, uneven surfaces, lighting.
- Who is at risk and the tasks involved.
- Controls — cleaning, housekeeping, signage, maintenance, footwear.
- Actions, owners and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the area and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Relying on warning signs instead of fixing the cause.
- Poor cleaning methods that leave floors slippery.
- Trailing cables and clutter left in walkways.
- Never reviewing it after layout or process changes.
Document workflow
A slips, trips and falls risk assessment sits within the wider risk assessment and informs housekeeping standards, cleaning and maintenance routines, the safe system of work and instruction. Findings feed toolbox talks; a fall, hazard report or change triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a slips, trips and falls risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
These assessments are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention 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 assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside the risk assessment and cleaning schedules. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Fix the cause of slips and trips, not just add warning signs.
- Use suitable cleaning methods and keep floors dry.
- Keep walkways clear and well lit.
- Maintain floors and stairs and review after incidents.
Worker notes
- Clean up spills promptly or report them.
- Keep walkways clear and store items properly.
- Wear any footwear specified and report floor hazards.
Country considerations
Duties around safe floors and workplaces vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling slip, trip and fall risks and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, 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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