Slips, Trips, and Falls Bulletin

Handout on preventing slips, trips, and falls in the restaurant of food service field.

Follow OSHA Standards

• Keep all places of employment clean and orderly & in a sanitary condition.
• Keep floors clean & dry. In addition to being a slip hazard, continually wet surfaces promote the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria that can cause infections.
• Keep aisles and passageways clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.
• Provide warning signs for wet floor areas.
• Keep exits free from obstruction. Access to exits must remain clear of obstructions at all times.

Implement Safe Work Practices

• Do provide adequate lighting.
• Do repair any uneven floor surfaces. Relay or stretch carpets that bulge or have become bunched to prevent tripping hazards.
• Do use no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit to create non-slip surfaces in slippery areas or use non-slip mats.
• Do promote a shoe policy program that provides for appropriate work shoes for employees. Shoe policy programs require workers or employers to purchase non-slip footwear for work use.
• Do make aisles and passageways sufficiently wide for easy movement and keep clear at all times.