A wet floor, an uneven surface, or a cluttered walkway, it only takes a second for a normal workday to turn into a serious accident.
Every year, thousands of employees across Northern Ireland are injured in workplace slip and trip incidents, many of which could have been prevented.
These accidents not only cause physical harm but also lead to costly legal claims, lost workdays, and long-term damage to a company’s reputation.
For businesses, one of the most essential tools for preventing these incidents is a slips and trips risk assessment.
Yet, many employers either overlook it or carry it out without real understanding, and that’s when problems start.
Kearney Law Group understands how small oversights can spiral into large compensation claims. Knowing how to conduct a proper risk assessment (and what mistakes to avoid) can make all the difference between a safe workplace and a legal nightmare.
What Is a Slips and Trips Risk Assessment and Why Does It Matter?
A slips and trips risk assessment is a structured process used to identify potential hazards in the workplace that could cause someone to fall, slip, or trip. It’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about keeping people safe and protecting your business from legal consequences.
Many of these could be avoided with proper safety checks and staff awareness.
Failing to conduct a thorough assessment not only risks injury but also breaches Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety at Work Order 1978, which can lead to enforcement action, fines, or civil claims.
In simple terms, a missed puddle or loose cable today could become tomorrow’s lawsuit.
Why Employers Often Get Risk Assessments Wrong
Even with good intentions, many employers make serious mistakes during their slips and trips risk assessment.
Some skip steps, others don’t document findings, and many underestimate small hazards. Here are a few common missteps that can be costly for businesses.
1. Not Treating It as a Legal Requirement
Some employers see a slips and trips risk assessment as a mere suggestion, not a legal duty. But under Northern Ireland law, every employer must ensure the workplace is safe “so far as is reasonably practicable.”
Failing to identify and control slip or trip hazards can be seen as negligence, and if an employee is injured, they may be entitled to claim compensation.
Assessments should be carried out regularly, especially when workplace conditions or layouts change.
2. Using a Generic Template Instead of a Real Assessment
Copying a generic checklist or reusing a template from the internet might seem efficient, but it rarely reflects the real risks in your specific environment.
A proper slips and trips risk assessment must consider factors unique to your workplace, such as the type of floor material, lighting, foot traffic, cleaning schedules, and even weather-related risks near entrances.
An assessment that doesn’t match reality won’t stand up in court if an accident happens. Always tailor it to your site and update it when conditions change.
3. Ignoring “Minor” Hazards
A cable across a walkway, a small spill, or a missing “wet floor” sign might seem harmless, but many injuries come from these exact issues.
Most slip-and-trip accidents are caused by simple maintenance or housekeeping failures.
Employees often adapt to these risks and stop noticing them, but a visitor or new staff member won’t.
That’s why a slips and trips risk assessment must include even the most minor hazards; they’re often the most dangerous.
4. Not Involving Employees
No one knows the workplace better than the people working there every day. Yet, many risk assessments are done behind a desk without staff input.
When you involve employees, cleaners, warehouse staff, and maintenance workers, you get practical insights about where and when hazards occur.
Encourage staff to report spills, damaged flooring, or poor lighting right away. Their feedback can help prevent accidents long before they happen.
5. Poor Record-Keeping
Even if you carry out a solid slips and trips risk assessment, failing to record and update your findings weakens your defence in a legal claim.
If someone gets injured and there’s no written proof that you took action, it’s as if you never did.
Keep a record of:
- What hazards were identified
- What actions were taken
- Who was responsible for follow-up
- When the following review is due
These records can be vital if your company ever faces investigation or litigation.
How to Conduct a Proper Slips and Trips Risk Assessment
Carrying out an effective risk assessment doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s how to get it right, step by step.
1. Identify the Hazards
Walk through all work areas and observe the flooring, lighting, stairs, and entryways. Look for:
- Wet or oily surfaces
- Uneven or damaged flooring
- Obstructed walkways
- Loose cables or mats
- Sudden changes in floor level
Remember to include outdoor areas, such as car parks or loading bays. Many incidents also occur there.
2. Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How
Think about employees, visitors, customers, and contractors. Some individuals may be at a higher risk, such as cleaners who frequently deal with wet floors or older staff members who may find uneven flooring more challenging to navigate.
3. Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Control Measures
Ask yourself: how likely is it that someone could slip or trip here, and how severe would the injury be? Then, put controls in place. These might include:
- Non-slip mats or flooring
- Clear signage
- Adequate lighting
- Regular cleaning schedules
- Cable management solutions
Make sure the measures are realistic and consistently followed.
4. Record and Implement the Findings
Once you’ve completed your slips and trips risk assessment, document your findings. Write down what actions are required, who will carry them out, and by when. Then, ensure that these measures are actually implemented, not just written on paper.
5. Review and Update Regularly
Workplace changes, such as the introduction of new furniture, new routes, or new equipment, can all create fresh risks. Review your assessment at least once a year or sooner if there’s an incident or a significant change in your setup.
What Happens When Employers Skip the Assessment
Failing to conduct or maintain a proper slips and trips risk assessment can have serious consequences.
Legal Consequences
HSENI has the power to issue enforcement notices, impose fines, and bring prosecutions against employers who fail to manage workplace safety in line with the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.
Slip-related incidents are among the common causes of enforcement action. Where investigations uncover issues such as poor housekeeping, unsafe floor surfaces, or inadequate risk assessments, employers may face legal and financial consequences.
Financial Costs
Beyond fines, slip and trip claims can result in costly compensation payouts and higher insurance premiums.
The study Occupational Injury and Working Days Lost in Northern Ireland's Farming Sector reports that more than 18,000 workdays are lost each year on Northern Irish farms due to occupational injuries. Among the reported injury causes, “Falls, Slips, Trips” are listed as a leading event/exposure type, reinforcing that slips and trips contribute substantially to lost productivity.
Reputational Damage
When accidents occur, they not only affect the injured employee but also the company’s reputation. Clients, partners, and potential recruits may question your professionalism if safety lapses are publicised.
Why Slips and Trips Risk Assessment Is Every Employer’s Responsibility
Some business owners assume that safety is only the concern of health and safety officers or facility managers. In reality, every employer has a duty of care to protect anyone affected by their business operations.
The official employer duties under the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) / Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, which requires employers to make the workplace safe, control risks and ensure employees receive information, instruction, training or supervision as needed.
How to Make Your Workplace Safer Every Day
Risk assessments are only one piece of the puzzle. Real safety comes from consistency. Here’s how employers can maintain safe conditions year-round:
- Keep walkways clear: Avoid storing items in corridors.
- Check lighting: Poor visibility often causes trips and falls.
- Repair damaged flooring quickly: Don’t delay small fixes.
- Use proper cleaning methods: Ensure floors dry fast after mopping.
- Encourage reporting: Make it easy for staff to report hazards.
Even small, everyday actions can prevent serious accidents.
What Employees Should Do If They Slip or Trip at Work
If an accident happens, employees should:
- Report the incident to their manager immediately.
- Make sure the accident is recorded in the company’s accident book.
- Seek medical attention if needed.
- If the injury was caused by poor maintenance or lack of safety measures, they may be entitled to make a claim.
A slips and trips risk assessment should have prevented it, but when it hasn’t, legal advice is essential.
When to Seek Legal Help
If you’re an employee who suffered an injury because of unsafe conditions or an employer facing a claim, legal guidance can help protect your rights and interests.
The right solicitor can assess the strength of your case, gather evidence, and explain your options clearly.
At Kearney Law Group, we understand both sides of these cases. Our team helps injured employees secure fair compensation and supports employers in improving their workplace safety to prevent future claims.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes Starts with Awareness
A single missed hazard can cause pain, stress, and financial loss, but most of these accidents are preventable.
A thorough slips and trips risk assessment protects people, reduces liability, and demonstrates that your business takes safety seriously.
No matter if you’re an employer looking to strengthen your policies or an employee recovering from a workplace accident, knowledge is your best defence.
If you need practical advice or representation after a workplace slip or trip, Kearney Law Group can help you understand your rights and take confident steps toward resolution.
