FACTS

1. Generally, slips, trips and falls happen when there is a loss of traction between the shoe and the walking surface or from unintentional contact with an object.
2. Slips and trips do not constitute a primary cause of fatal occupational injuries, but represent the primary cause of lost days from work. 
3. People working in predominantly wet conditions should wear footwear with a pattern that is deep enough to penetrate surface water and make direct contact with a floor. However, people working in predominantly dry conditions should use footwear with flat-bottom construction to ensure maximum contact area with the floor.
4. Ten common slipping hazards include spills of liquid or solid materials; wet cleaning methods; rain or snow inside doorways; changes in floor surfaces, such as joins between carpeting and wood flooring; a change from a wet to a dry surface; dusty or sandy surfaces; the incline of a ramp; loose/bumpy flooring; low light; and unsuitable footwear.
5. Shoes with urethane or rubber soles have greater slip resistance than shoes with vinyl or leather soles.
6. Five housekeeping practices that can help reduce slipping hazards in the workplace include removal of debris, snow and ice; prompt cleanup of spills; regular cleaning of floors; providing mats in areas prone to getting wet—such as building entrances; and cleaning the casters on wheeled carts.

STATS

• 27% of the 900,380 nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work in 2018 were related to slips, trips, and falls.
• Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work, with 95 percent of major slips resulting in broken bones. (Health and Safety Executive, United Kingdom)
• Footwear accounts for 24 % of all slip and fall accidents. (National Floor Safety Institute)
• Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) account for the majority of general industry accidents. They are responsible for 16.9% of all accidental deaths and come in second to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. About 65 percent of all work days or 95 million work days are lost due to slips, trips, and falls and they account for approximately 25 percent of all reported injury claims per year.