At this time of year, surfaces can be perilous – there are plenty of seasonal factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents.

Poor lighting, excess water from rain and even wet and decaying leaves can all cause slip-and-trip accidents to increase significantly.

The HSE website guidance on slips and trips provides plenty of information and resources on how to avoid these accidents in and around the workplace.

Focus on: Ice, frost and snow

• To reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost, or snow, you need to assess the risk and put in a system to manage it.
• Identify the outdoor areas used by pedestrians most likely to be affected by ice, for example: building entrances, car parks, pedestrian walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas, and areas constantly in the shade or wet.
• Monitor the temperature, as prevention is key.
• You need to act whenever freezing temperatures are forecast. Keep up to date by visiting a weather service website such as the Met Office or the National Highways.
• Put a procedure in place to prevent an icy surface from forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface:
  – Use grit or similar, on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy conditions.
  – Consider covering walkways e.g., by an arbour high enough for people to walk through or use an insulating material on smaller areas overnight.
  – Divert pedestrians to less slippery walkways and barrier off existing ones.
• If warning cones are used, remember to remove them once the hazard has passed or they will eventually be ignored.

Learn more:

Slips trips and falls from the same level policy
Reporting of H&S incidents policy
Preventing trips and slips at work leaflet