Slashing Slips, Trips and Falls
Despite years of focus on traditional prevention methods, slips, trips and falls remain a leading cause of workplace injuries. These five practical strategies highlight how organizations can better address risk through environmental, health and skill-based approaches.
- By Robert Pater
- Apr 27, 2026
Let’s face it. Everyone loses their balance. Everyone falls. Everywhere in the world. And surprisingly frequently (even though not always resulting in serious injury). In one sense, slips/trips/falls (STF) are a “great equalizer”, affecting everyone who walks, climbs stairs or just moves their feet. And statistics reveal that while they affect children through seniors, STF can be increasingly dangerous as people get older.
We also know from decades of experience with numerous organizations worldwide that the information here significantly reduces injuries – and offers numerous other benefits.
You’ve likely heard the “standard” 7 approaches for preventing STF:
- Reduce slippery surfaces
- Pay attention to STF-risk warning signs
- Use best footwear
- Work clean (nice idea in an ideal world)
- Use handrails when on stairs
- Slow down when walking
- Remember to “pay attention” - whatever that means (and attention control is actually a set of improvable skills)
All makes sense. Yet, even with these repeatedly addressed over many years, STF remains at the top of the hit parade of injuries at work – and at home.
But there’s much more that leaders can do to stay on their own feet – and help others do the same, that actually works in real life. We’ve helped companies report reductions of up to 45% in STF – and this with aging workforces. Though much of practical STF prevention is skill-based – words aren’t enough to transfer many methods - there are 5 strategies that definitely can move the needle towards greater stability and control.
5 For STF Safety
1. Counter STF “myths”. Communicate what STF is really about.
That, as mentioned above, every time anyone moves, there's a risk of falling, and this doesn’t mean someone is an “accident waiting to happen.” That, due to the number of exposures, each step is a potential risk - STF happens year-round, not just in the Winter. That slips and trips don't necessarily cause falls (have you ever skidded on a slippery surface but not fallen?); that the reason people ultimately fall is that their upper body isn’t aligned over their lower body while they're on the move.
So that being vertically aligned – upper body over and actually supported by the legs and feet – is key to maintaining balance, and that pretty much anyone can learn to get better at this at any age with practical methods. And that psychosocial factors can definitely distract and contribute to STF.
2. Recognize there are (at least) 3 major contributors to potential STF – those in the environment, those within organizations and those within individuals.
And even with a strong determination to control environmental STF risks, leaders can only do so much to “eliminate” potential STF risks. But do control what you can: reduce environmental STF contributors where possible, especially the “hidden” ones. Such as thresholds (doorways? elevator stops?) that don’t align well with the next transitioning surface.
“Border areas” - any “sudden” change in surface (that will grab your foot more or less than the previous one), e.g., moving from flooring to a nonskid mat back to flooring – the mat can actually require extra stepping/balance adjustments when people are focused elsewhere. Handrails that end before the final riser – can send the visual cue you’re at the bottom step – when you’re not. And small changes in elevation (which go unnoticed and can slow or stop a moving foot, triggering trips).
3. Understand that STF and strains/sprains are closely related, often a chicken-and-egg situation.
An initial loss of balance can cause someone to strain their back as they try to catch themselves before they fall. Vice versa, being already hampered by back, knee or ankle pain can make slipping or tripping more likely (from having less flexibility or muscular control to compensate for an otherwise relatively small loss of balance). But on the plus side, when people bear in mind that they have even temporary limitations or weaknesses, they’re more likely to make safer preventative adjustments/accommodations.
4. The right, relatively simple health adjustments may make STF less likely.
Monitor and reduce fatigue, sleep problems (critical to better perception and decision-making), Vitamin D deficiency (statistically common in many. National Institute of Health: “There is increasing evidence that a supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium may reduce the fall and fracture rates”). Understand that side effects from even over-the-counter medications can affect judgment or balance (“Caution: may make you drowsy or dizzy.”).
That emotional upsets can distract attention from STF risks. Or there’s “orthostatic hypotension”, where blood pressure suddenly drops when a person changes position - feeling woozy when getting up out of bed or a chair or from squatting can lead to STF. Age-related factors such as reduced range of motion, vision changes or sarcopenia (natural muscle loss) can also contribute.
Effective medical attention may be an essential STF-prevention strategy with an aging workforce.
5. Transfer practical skills that quickly and effectively balance high-grade balance while on the move.
Complement environmental controls with offering the right, readily learned methods that actually put people in better control by improving their decision-making and physical balance. We know from decades of experience that transferring such skills is realistic and can pay significant dividends.
Of course, there’s a lot more to this. But just applying even one of the tips from this article can increase the odds of not getting badly injured. This has proven practical, delivering real, consistent results with countless reports from individuals and organizations. If this can work for them, it can also work for you.
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2026 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.