Educational guidance on how workplace induction and safety instruction generally work — connected to workplace safety, occupations, industries, employment documents and company types. Informational only — not certified training, not an official qualification and not a substitute for mandatory workplace instruction; employers remain responsible for required training, competence and authorisation.
What this instruction covers
This page outlines, in general educational terms, the safety information around slips, trips and falls on the level — the common causes, the role of good housekeeping and spill control, and how everyone helps keep walking surfaces safe.
It is awareness material, not training. The employer assesses the hazards and puts controls in place; this page does not deliver or replace that.
The hazards
- Slips, trips and falls on the level are among the most common causes of workplace injury.
- A fall can cause anything from bruising to a serious fracture or head injury.
- Wet or contaminated floors, spills and unsuitable footwear cause many slips.
- Trailing cables, uneven surfaces, clutter, mats and changes in level cause many trips.
Who needs it
- Everyone who walks around the workplace — this hazard affects all roles.
- Cleaners, kitchen, warehouse and maintenance staff who deal with spills and obstructions.
- Supervisors who manage housekeeping, floor surfaces and lighting.
- New starters before they move around the site.
The safe system of work
- Keep walkways clear — store materials properly, remove clutter and route or cover cables.
- Deal with spills straight away: clean them up or contain and sign them, and use the right cleaning method.
- Keep good housekeeping, fix uneven or damaged floors, and ensure walkways are well lit.
- Wear suitable, well-fitting footwear with good grip for the surfaces and conditions.
Required PPE & controls
- Suitable footwear with appropriate slip resistance for the floors and conditions.
- Wet-floor signs, spill kits and cleaning materials kept readily available.
- Clear, well-lit walkways, sound floor surfaces and proper cable management.
- Housekeeping routines and the controls set by the employer’s assessment.
Pre-use & pre-task checks
- Check walkways and work areas are clear, dry and free of trip hazards before starting.
- Check lighting is adequate and floor surfaces are sound and not damaged.
- Check spill kits and cleaning equipment are available where they may be needed.
- Report and deal with any hazard you find rather than walking past it.
What the worker is and is not authorised to do
- Keep your own area tidy and deal with hazards you can safely address.
- Clean or contain spills using the method you have been instructed to use.
- Do not leave a hazard for someone else if you can make it safe or report it.
- How the workplace is kept safe is set by the employer’s arrangements, not by this page.
What to do if something is wrong / reporting
- Report spills, leaks, damaged floors, poor lighting and trip hazards promptly.
- Report slips, trips, falls and near misses, however minor.
- Mark or contain a hazard you cannot fix until it can be dealt with.
- Follow the site’s reporting route so the hazard can be removed.
Training & competence
Employers are generally expected to assess slip and trip hazards, control them, and inform and instruct workers on housekeeping, spill control and reporting so everyone helps keep surfaces safe.
Instruction such as this page is information, not competence. Reading it does not replace the employer’s assessment and the workplace-specific arrangements for controlling slips, trips and falls.
Documentation
- The slips and trips risk assessment for the workplace.
- Cleaning and housekeeping schedules and records.
- Reports of slips, trips, falls and near misses.
- A record documents what was done; it is not, by itself, proof of a hazard-free workplace.
Common mistakes
- Leaving spills, cables or clutter for someone else to deal with.
- Using the wrong cleaning method, leaving floors wet and slippery.
- Wearing unsuitable footwear for the surfaces and conditions.
- Walking past a hazard instead of removing it or reporting it.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing slip and trip hazards, providing safe floors, lighting and footwear where needed, maintaining housekeeping arrangements and keeping records. This page is an educational outline only.
It does not deliver training, satisfy any legal requirement, or transfer the employer’s responsibility for controlling slips, trips and falls.
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