Slips, Trips, & Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of work-related accidents, with over 200,000 incidents reported annually in the United States. These accidents account for more than 700 workplace deaths each year, representing 15% of all occupational fatalities—second only to motor vehicle-related deaths. In healthcare settings, slips, trips, and falls pose dual risks: injuries to healthcare workers navigating busy clinical environments, and falls among patients that result in serious injuries, litigation, and regulatory scrutiny. The direct costs of these injuries include medical expenses, workers’ compensation claims, and legal fees, while indirect costs encompass lost productivity, temporary replacement workers, training costs, and decreased morale.

This course provides the causes of slips, trips, and falls along with simple, practical steps that both employers and employees can take to greatly reduce and often eliminate hazards. Employees learn to identify slip hazards (wet floors, slippery surfaces, weather conditions), trip hazards (uneven surfaces, poor lighting, clutter, cords), and fall hazards (working at heights, unstable surfaces, ladder misuse), and implement prevention strategies including proper housekeeping, appropriate footwear, and safe work practices.