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1. Module 1. Why slips, trips and falls happen

   Slips, trips and falls on the same level are one of the most common causes of injury at work, in every type of workplace. Most are easy to prevent.

   What you will learn

   • Explain the difference between a slip, a trip and a fall.
   • Name the common causes.
   • Describe the legal duties in the UK.

   Key points

   • Slips come from contamination and poor grip; trips come from obstructions and uneven surfaces.
   • Common causes are spills, clutter, poor floors, poor lighting, footwear and rushing.
   • Employers must keep floors and routes safe; employees must report and deal with hazards.

   Based on: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12 (floors and traffic routes); Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSE guidance on slips and trips.

2. Module 2. Preventing slips and trips

   A few simple habits and good planning remove most slip and trip hazards.

   What you will learn

   • Deal with spills correctly.
   • Keep walkways clear and tidy.
   • Choose and look after suitable footwear.

   Key points

   • Deal with spills straight away, warn others, clean with the right method and dry the floor.
   • Clean floors in sections and with the right dilution.
   • Keep walkways, stairs and exits clear; route cables safely.
   • Wear and look after slip-resistant footwear.

   Based on: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12 (floors and traffic routes); Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSE guidance on slips and trips.

3. Module 3. Stairs, lighting, reporting and what to do after a fall

   Stairs and poor lighting turn a small slip into a serious fall. Reporting and learning from every incident stops the next one.

   What you will learn

   • Use stairs safely.
   • Recognise lighting problems.
   • Report hazards and incidents, and help after a fall.

   Key points

   • Use handrails, keep stairs clear and carry loads you can see over.
   • Good lighting everywhere, including stores and outside.
   • Report hazards and every slip, trip or near miss.
   • After a fall, do not rush to lift; call 999 for serious injuries, make the area safe and record it.

   Based on: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12 (floors and traffic routes); Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSE guidance on slips and trips.

HygieneReady certificates confirm completion of training. They are not a regulated qualification. Definitions of the key terms are in the glossary.