Among numerous safety risks, "slips" are often regarded as one of the simplest and most easily controllable types. A slightly wet floor, putting up a warning sign, and reminding everyone to walk carefully—many enterprises’ understanding of slip risks barely goes beyond this level.
However, global data shows that slips are far from a "minor issue":
- In many countries, slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are among the most common causes of workplace injuries and a major contributor to lost workdays. (hse.gov.uk)
- Taking the United States as an example, in 2022, there were hundreds of thousands of occupational injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls, resulting in hundreds of deaths, accounting for a significant proportion of all work-related fatalities. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Comprehensive statistics indicate that slip-related accidents account for approximately 15% of employers’ workers’ compensation claims, making them a typical risk characterized by "high frequency, high cost, and low attention." (smithlawcenter.com)
In a dedicated webinar titled "Slip Accidents: Serious, Scientific, Stoppable", NEBOSH invited Christian Harris, who emphasized:Slip accidents are Serious, Scientific, and Stoppable. (NEBOSH)
For any organization pursuing "zero harm," how to scientifically understand and control slip risks is the most basic yet most rewarding area to address.
In daily safety management, slips are overlooked mainly due to three typical misunderstandings:
Treating slips as "personal carelessness"Thinking that "one just needs to pay attention while walking," so responsibility is mostly attributed to individual inattention.
Dismissing slips as "minor injuries"In reality, slips can result in fractures, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even long-term disability or death. (
arbill.com)
Viewing slips as "temporary environmental issues"Wet floors from rain, spilled water, or freshly mopped floors are seen as occasional incidents rather than systematically manageable risks.
Nevertheless, modern safety management and NEBOSH’s philosophy both point out:Slips are not accidental, but identifiable, measurable, and preventable systemic risks. (
hse.gov.uk)
In the webinar co-hosted by NEBOSH and Christian Harris, as well as related sharing sessions, he summarized slip risks into an easy-to-remember model—CHIMES: (LinkedIn)
- C – ContaminationSubstances such as water, oil, cleaning agents, dust, and sediment that make floors slippery are the most common direct triggers.
- H – Heels/FootwearSole material, anti-slip treads, and wear conditions directly affect friction between the foot and the floor.
- I – IndividualAge, weight, health status, attention span, time pressure, and carrying items all alter an individual’s sensitivity to slips and response capabilities.
- M – MaintenanceFloor damage, lack of cleaning schedules, and poor drainage keep floors in a "high-risk state" for the long term.
- E – EnvironmentInsufficient lighting, excessive slopes, obstructed visibility in turning areas, and overcrowding.
- S – Surface/MaterialsFloor material, anti-slip rating, and friction coefficient under wet conditions form the "physical foundation" of slip risks.
The significance of CHIMES lies in reminding us:Slips are never as simple as "someone not watching where they’re going," but rather the systemic result of multiple overlapping factors.
Traditional practices often rely on experience:"This floor is quite rough—it should be non-slip.""Just add a anti-slip mat and it’ll be fine."
However, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a series of technical documents emphasize that slip risks should be assessed through scientific methods, not intuition. (Resin Flooring Website)
Key considerations include:
The dynamic friction coefficient of floors is measured via methods such as the pendulum test. A common benchmark is:When PTV ≥ 36 (approximately equivalent to a friction coefficient of 0.36), the floor is considered "relatively safe" for the vast majority of people.
The HSE clearly states that slip resistance data obtained only under "dry and clean" conditions cannot represent real-world usage scenarios.In particular, areas prone to water, oil, or cleaning agents must be tested under "slippery" conditions.
The HSE’s INDG225 guideline recommends including slips and trips as part of formal risk assessments, following a "five-step process":
- Identify hazards
- Identify vulnerable groups
- Evaluate existing controls and improvements
- Record and implement measures
- Regularly review
This aligns closely with the approach advocated by Christian Harris in "Slipology":Use measurements, data, and evidence to determine slip prevention strategies—not intuition or "looking non-slip."
From a management perspective, slip prevention deserves priority investment for the following reasons:
The HSE clearly states that most measures to prevent slips and trips "are often simple and low-cost." (
hse.gov.uk)Examples include:
- Formulating and strictly enforcing standards for floor cleaning and drying;
- Optimizing the placement of drains and floor outlets to avoid water accumulation;
- Selecting floor materials or anti-slip strips with appropriate slip resistance ratings for high-risk areas;
- Standardizing cable routing to eliminate trailing cables and hoses.
Before-and-after comparisons will clearly show reductions in the number of slip accidents, minor/major injury rates, and lost workdays.For enterprises, this translates to a demonstrable return on investment (ROI) in a relatively short period.
When employees see that the company takes even "small matters like floor safety" seriously, it greatly enhances their trust in the overall safety management system.
Slip prevention can be structured into four tiers:
Engineering/Environmental Controls
- Select floor materials suitable for the intended use case and verify their slip resistance ratings, especially the friction coefficient under wet conditions;
- Improve drainage design to eliminate persistent water accumulation zones;
- Provide adequate lighting and clear signage for ramps, stairs, corners, and high-foot-traffic areas;
- Use anti-slip strips, coatings, or appropriate mats in high-risk areas where necessary, while ensuring compatibility with cleaning and maintenance routines.
Cleaning and Maintenance Systems
- Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cleaning, including frequency, cleaning agents, warning sign placement protocols, and drying time controls;
- Establish a "rapid response mechanism" for common contaminants (oil, water, dust);
- Conduct regular inspections for floor damage, loose tiles, gaps, etc., and incorporate repairs into the maintenance schedule.
Individual Factors and PPE
- Specify footwear requirements for high-risk areas (e.g., anti-slip shoes, sole tread specifications);
- Provide brief slip risk reminders to external contractors and visitors;
- Offer special attention and necessary assistance to elderly employees, employees with disabilities, or pregnant employees.
Behavior and Culture
- Use real cases and data to highlight "the severity of slip accidents" during pre-shift briefings and safety days;
- Establish an incentive-based reporting mechanism to encourage employees to report hazards such as wet floors, damaged flooring, and missing warning signs;
- Integrate slip prevention into daily management through on-site inspections, 5S management practices, and team-based safety competitions.
Research and practical experience from NEBOSH, the HSE, and Christian Harris demonstrate the following: (
hse.gov.uk, British Safety Council)
- Slips are not trivial—they are a serious risk characterized by high frequency, high cost, and chronic neglect;
- Slips are underpinned by a quantifiable, verifiable scientific foundation (friction coefficients, PTV, testing methods, etc.);
- On a positive note, slips are among the easiest risks to address and yield the quickest results.
For any organization aiming to improve safety performance, if it fails to properly manage something as basic as "whether floors are slip-prone," it can hardly claim to have a mature safety management system.
