by Tan Hiap Guan
Introduction
Everyday movements, such as walking between classes, hurrying to meetings, or carrying books, might seem harmless. But slips, trips, and falls (STF) are some of the most common accidents on campus—and they can lead to serious injuries. In 2024, STF was a leading cause of workplace injury and was responsible for more than 1 in 4 reported incidents. These trips are often caused by common hazards: objects left in walkways, uneven surfaces, or unexpected level changes.
A slip typically happens when there is too little friction between footwear and the floor, such as on a wet or sloped surface. A trip, on the other hand, occurs when your foot collides with an object or an irregularity like uneven pavement or a step, causing a loss of balance. In either case, a fall and potential injury are likely the outcomes.
The good news is that a safe campus is within our reach. Through awareness and simple, proactive actions—like identifying trip hazards and maintaining good housekeeping—we can all play a part in significantly reducing the risk of injury.
Why Slips, Trips, and Falls Happen
Slips, Trips & Falls (Credits: Montana State Fund)
There are four main factors contributing to this:
How You Can Stay Safe
We’ve all had a close call—a slippery floor, a cord in the walkway, or an unexpected step. While often laughed off, these moments highlight a real risk. Preventing slips, trips, and falls isn't just about policies; it's about the choices we make every day. Here’s how you can build powerful safety habits, stay alert to your surroundings, and actively contribute to a safer environment for everyone.
👀Watching for hazards
#Practice Situational Awareness: The "Heads-Up" Approach
Slips, Trips, and Falls: Office - Stairs (Credits:WorkSafeBC)
- Avoid Distractions: Be extra cautious when walking in high-risk areas. Put away your phone and avoid reading while walking.
- Scan Your Path: Make a habit of looking 3-5 meters ahead while you walk, especially in unfamiliar or busy environments.
- Mind Your Load: Carrying large items can block your view. If your load is bulky, take extra time, use a spotter if necessary, and make sure you can see over or around it.
#Identify Common Slip Hazards
- Wet or Oily Surfaces: Spills from water, drinks, oils, or chemicals. Be vigilant in the pantry, near entrances, and in wet lab areas.
- Weather-Related Hazards: Wet leaves, rain seeps inside entrance mats, which can become saturated and slippery.
- Polished or Recently Mopped Floors: Look for "Wet Floor" signs and heed them. Be aware of transitions from carpet to slick flooring.
- Loose Surfaces: Walk carefully on gravel, loose mats, or debris.
#Identify Common Trip Hazards
Walkway Obstructions:
- Cables, cords, or hoses across pathways.
- Clutter, boxes, or tools left in walkways.
- Open drawers or cabinet doors.
Uneven or Damaged Surfaces:
- Cracked or broken pavement/tiles.
- Wrinkled, curled, or misplaced mats/rugs.
- Loose floorboards or carpeting.
Unexpected Elevation Changes:
- Unmarked steps or curbs.
- Slopes or ramps without handrails.
- Small changes in floor level that are hard to see.
👟Wearing the right footwear
Choosing the right shoes is one of the simplest—and most effective—ways to prevent slips, trips, and falls on campus. The type of footwear you wear directly affects your stability, balance, and grip on different surfaces.
✅What to Look For in Safe Footwear
- Non-Slip Soles: Shoes with rubber or textured soles provide better traction on wet or smooth floors.
- Proper Fit: Shoes that are too loose or too tight can cause imbalance and increase the risk of tripping.
- Low, Wide Heels: Avoid high heels or narrow bases that make it harder to stay steady.
- Good Condition: Worn-out shoes with smooth soles lose grip and become unsafe over time.
🏫On Campus
Rain, polished floors, and outdoor paths can create hidden hazards. By choosing supportive, non-slip footwear, both students and staff can move safely and confidently between classes, labs, and offices.
💡 Safety Reminder: A good pair of shoes is an investment in your health—preventing accidents is always easier than recovering from them.
Speak Up on Hazards – Don’t Leave Them Unattended
Slip, trip, and fall hazards can appear anywhere - wet floors, loose cables, uneven steps, or clutter in walkways. While they may seem minor, ignoring them can quickly lead to accidents and injuries. That’s why speaking up is just as important as watching your own step.
🔎 Why Reporting Matters
- Protects Everyone: The hazard you notice today could harm someone else tomorrow.
- Quick Fixes: Most STF hazards—like cleaning up a spill or securing a cable—can be resolved quickly once reported.
- Shared Responsibility: Safety is not just the facilities team’s job; it’s a collective effort.
✅ How to Take Action
- Report hazards immediately to the staff-in-charge or, if it is a common area, through the fault reporting hotline.
- If possible, stay near the area until help arrives - especially if the hazard poses immediate danger.
- Encourage your peers and colleagues to speak up instead of stepping over or ignoring risks.
💡 Safety Reminder: Silence about a hazard today could become an accident tomorrow. Your voice helps keep the campus safe.
Good WSH Practices Adopted by Companies
We can all contribute to a safer workplace. The following tips, consolidated by Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC), outline practical steps you and your team can take to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Please review them and integrate the applicable practices into your daily routines where possible.
Credits: WSH Council
Clicked the button below for more recommendations
To keep safety top-of-mind, we have provided the following posters for display in high-traffic areas like labs, workshops, and offices.
Credits: WSH Council
Good Housekeeping: A Key to Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
Housekeeping isn’t just about keeping spaces neat—it’s an essential part of campus safety. Cluttered walkways, spilled liquids, or items left on the floor can quickly turn into slip, trip, and fall hazards. By maintaining clean, organized, and hazard-free areas in classrooms, labs, offices, and common spaces, we create a safer environment where everyone can move confidently.
For comprehensive guidance on implementing effective housekeeping practices, please refer to the following resources.
Recommended Learning Materials
Self-learning modules available in Workday
- [eLearning] Basic Safety Training - Slip, Trip and Fall
- [LinkedIn] Occupational Safety and Health: Slips, Trips, and Falls
Videos
Slips Trips and Falls (Credits: Z9T Safety)
Workplace Safety: How to Avoid Slips and Trips (Credits: Safety Videos by Custom Animation)
Closing Message
As we conclude our discussion on Slips, Trips, and Falls, it is crucial to recognize that in a dynamic environment like our school, these incidents are among the most common—and most preventable—injuries we face. The hallways bustling with students, the laboratory with its occasional spills, the cafeteria after lunch, and the wet floors on a rainy day are all part of our daily reality. This makes our collective vigilance not just a policy, but a fundamental part of our duty of care.
A Culture of "See Something, Say Something, Do Something"
Let's move beyond passive observation to active intervention. Our school's safety culture should be built on this simple principle: See a hazard? Don't assume someone else will handle it. Say something. Report it immediately. Cause a spill? In the laboratory or the pantry? Do something. Clean it up or find someone who can.
Every slip, trip, or fall prevented is more than just an avoided injury report; it is a protected opportunity for a student to learn, for a faculty to teach, and for a staff member to contribute in a safe and supportive environment. It ensures that the only memorable moments of our school year are those of achievement and growth, not of preventable accidents.
We have come to the final newsletter for the year of 2025. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to making our school a safe place for everyone. Let's all continue to watch our steps and look out for one another.
The CEE Safety & Health Newsletter Editorial Team
Editorial Panel: Augustine (Mentor), Lim Swee Kuan (Editor-in-Chief), Ng How Yong, Kong Boon Seng, Tan Hiap Guan, Mohamad Nur Hafidz Bin Ahmad Fuaad, Siti Sarah Binte Jamalludin Lee & See Shen Yen, Pearlyn
Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this publication are the author's personal opinions and do not represent those of CEE. No liability can be held for any damages caused to any readers of this newsletter.
Upcoming Events
- CEE Safety Carnival - 30 September 2025 🎉🥳
- CEE Safety Quizzes Prize Presentation - 15 October 2025
Past Newsletter
Credits:
Created with images by tete_escape - ""Caution watch your step" on yellow and black warning sticker sign on the floor." • Rattanachat - "caution wet floor plastic sign on wet concrete pavement." • skarie - "Close up of business documents stack on desk , report papers stack" • stokkete - "Businessman searching for files in a messy office" • zhu difeng - "slippery sign on floo of modern building" • Andrew - "Uneven paving" • Chanakon - "Banana peels are placed on the stairs of the house to risk accidents.,If anyone stepped on it may slip and fall and get injured." • Volodymyr Shevchuk - "Abandoned office room with different equipment" • ID_Anuphon - "legs of engineering or technician, worker wearing safety shoe walking in mind step on the steel deck plate in walkway at workplace" • deagreez - "Close-up cropped classic stylish business lady's graceful legs i" • syahrir - "Concept of Incident Report write on sticky notes isolated on Wooden Table." • Igor Kardasov - "Marine navigational officer is reporting by VHF radio during navigation watch.,Bridge GMDSS watch" • Ratana21 - "beware of uneven for sign board with light and copy space"