Why slip prevention matters

Slips and falls can cause injuries, lost time, operational disruption, and reputational damage. In many workplaces, the main trigger is a change in surface conditions: liquid spills, powder residue, tracked-in rain, or overspray from routine work. The goal is simple: minimise slip risks by reducing spill events, controlling where liquids can travel, and responding immediately when spills happen.

Common causes of slips

• Leaks and drips from plant, vehicles, IBCs and drum storage
• Water ingress from entrances, loading bays and external doors
• Cleaning processes that leave wet floors or residue
• Oil, coolant and cutting fluid overspray in workshops
• Food oils and greasy residue in kitchens and canteens
• Powders and granules creating a “ball bearing” effect underfoot
• Inadequate housekeeping, unclear responsibilities, or slow response

A good starting point is identifying where spills originate and how they spread.

Quick response: stop the slip hazard fast

The fastest way to reduce slip risk is to shorten the time between “spill occurs” and “area safe again”. That requires a consistent response method and the right materials in the right locations.

Immediate actions

1. Control the area: guide foot traffic away and place temporary warning signage.
2. Stop the source: isolate the leak if safe to do so.
3. Contain spread: use socks or booms to prevent liquids travelling into walkways.
4. Absorb and remove: apply the correct absorbents for the liquid type.
5. Finish the surface: clean and dry the area to remove residue and restore grip.
6. Record and prevent: log the cause and implement a control to stop repeat incidents.

For fast access equipment, consider positioning spill kits near high-risk zones, and keep absorbent pads and absorbent socks where leaks are most likely.

Choose the right absorbent

• Oil and fuel: use oil-only absorbents for hydrocarbons where water may be present.
• General purpose: use general purpose absorbents for water-based liquids, coolants and mild chemicals.
• Chemicals: use chemical absorbents where acids, caustics or unknown liquids are possible.

Prevention: reduce the likelihood of spills

Preventing slips begins with preventing spills. Small improvements to storage, transfer and maintenance routines can eliminate repeat incidents.

Practical prevention controls

• Use drip trays under known leak points and during transfer activities.
• Store drums and IBCs within secondary containment where appropriate.
• Maintain seals, hoses, couplings and valves on a planned schedule.
• Introduce “clean as you go” standards for high traffic areas and production lines.
• Position absorbents at point-of-use so minor spills are handled immediately.
• Use dedicated absorbents for different liquids to avoid spreading contamination.

Signage and safe walking zones

Clear walking routes and simple rules reduce exposure to slip hazards. The aim is to keep people away from likely spill sources, and make it obvious when an area is temporarily unsafe.

• Define walkways and keep them free of storage and transfer activities.
• Mark “spill risk zones” around machinery, wash-down areas and fluid handling points.
• Use temporary signage during cleaning and active spill response.
• Where possible, route foot traffic away from loading bays in wet weather.

Flooring, mats and footwear

Surface grip depends on floor condition, contamination, and footwear. Even with great spill response, persistent residue can lower traction. Focus on practical, measurable changes.

• Use entrance matting to reduce tracked-in rain and debris.
• Assess whether anti-slip matting is suitable for known wet zones.
• Review footwear policy for grip, fit and suitability for the environment.
• Repair damaged floors and address pooling caused by uneven surfaces.
• Ensure cleaning methods remove residue rather than spreading it.

Cleaning routines that actually work

A floor can look clean and still be slippery if oil film, detergent residue or fine powders remain. The most effective routine is one that is consistent, documented, and verified.

Good practice steps

• Match the cleaning method to the contaminant (oil, grease, powder, water-based liquids).
• Use absorbents first for bulk liquid removal, then clean and dry the surface.
• Schedule extra checks after deliveries, shift changes, and maintenance work.
• Keep cleaning tools maintained so they do not spread contamination.

Training and accountability

Controls fail when people assume “someone else will deal with it”. Preventing slips depends on clear responsibility, rapid reporting, and easy access to the right materials.

• Assign ownership for high-risk zones (who checks, how often, and what “good” looks like).
• Train staff to identify, contain, and clean spills safely.
• Encourage near-miss reporting to identify patterns before an injury occurs.
• Run quick refreshers after process changes, equipment moves, or incident trends.

Industry notes: offices, warehouses, kitchens, workshops

Offices and public areas

• Focus on entrances, wet weather controls, and fast response for drink spills.
• Maintain entrance matting and keep warning signage available.

Warehouses and logistics

• Manage leaks from MHE, pallets and inbound goods.
• Keep spill kits near loading bays, battery charging areas, and packing stations.
• Use containment and drip trays in storage areas for liquids.

Kitchens and food preparation

• Food oils can create persistent films; clean to remove residue, not just visible liquid.
• Position absorbents or cleaning materials at point-of-use for immediate action.

Workshops and manufacturing

• Hydraulic oil, coolant and cutting fluids often spread via foot traffic.
• Use socks/booms to stop migration into walkways, then absorb and finish the surface.
• Review maintenance plans for recurring leak sources.

Printable-style checklist

Use this checklist for quick site walk-rounds and shift handovers:

• Spill kits are accessible, visible, and stocked in high-risk locations.
• Drip trays and containment are in place under known leak points.
• Walkways are clear and separate from fluid handling activities.
• Entrance controls and matting are effective during wet weather.
• Cleaning removes residue and floors are left dry in traffic areas.
• Signage is available and used during cleaning and spill response.
• Recurring spill sources are logged and addressed with a preventive fix.
• Staff know the response steps and who to notify for repairs.

Need help selecting the right products?

If you tell us what liquids you handle, where spills occur, and how quickly you need to respond, we can recommend suitable absorbents and kit locations for your site.

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