Slips, Trips and Falls on Irish Construction Sites: The Most Common Cause of Injury
Slips, trips and falls at the same level are the single most common cause of non-fatal injury on Irish construction sites.
# Slips, Trips and Falls on Irish Construction Sites: The Most Common Cause of Injury **Slug:** slips-trips-falls-construction-sites-ireland-prevention **Category:** Site Safety **Meta description:** Slips, trips and falls at the same level are the single most common cause of non-fatal injury on Irish construction sites. This guide explains the legal requirements and practical controls every contractor should have in place. **Focus keyword:** slips trips falls construction sites Ireland prevention --- When most people think about falls on construction sites, they think about falls from height: from scaffolding, ladders, or roof edges. Falls from height are indeed serious and are a leading cause of fatal accidents in Irish construction. However, the most common cause of non-fatal injury on construction sites is far more mundane: slips, trips and falls at the same level. These are the everyday accidents that happen when a worker slips on a wet surface, trips over a trailing cable, or falls on uneven ground. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) consistently identifies slips, trips and falls as one of the most significant causes of workplace injury in Ireland. In construction, the combination of outdoor work, constantly changing site conditions, heavy materials, and time pressure creates conditions in which these accidents are particularly likely to occur. This article explains the legal requirements, the most common causes, and the practical controls that every contractor should have in place. --- ## The Legal Framework The primary legal duties in relation to slips, trips and falls at the same level arise from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. The Act places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of their employees. This includes providing and maintaining a safe place of work, safe means of access and egress, and safe systems of work. The General Application Regulations 2007, Part 2, Chapter 1 (Workplace Regulations) require employers to ensure that floors and other surfaces in the workplace are constructed in such a way that they do not present a slip or trip hazard, and that they are kept free from obstacles and waste materials. The Construction Regulations 2013 require the PSCS to ensure that the construction site is organised so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely, and that the site is kept in good order and in a satisfactory state of cleanliness. --- ## The Most Common Causes on Construction Sites Understanding the specific causes of slips, trips and falls on construction sites is the first step in preventing them. The most common causes include: **Wet and slippery surfaces:** Construction sites are frequently wet, whether from rain, from water used in construction processes, or from cleaning. Wet concrete, wet timber, and wet metal surfaces can all be extremely slippery. Mud tracked from excavations onto walkways and access routes is a particularly common cause of slips. **Uneven ground:** Construction sites are inherently uneven. Ground that has been excavated, backfilled, or disturbed by plant movement is rarely level, and temporary surfaces such as scaffold boards and access ramps can become uneven over time. **Poor housekeeping:** Materials, tools, cables, and waste left on walkways and access routes are a major cause of trips. In the pressure of a busy construction site, it is easy for housekeeping standards to slip, with materials being left where they are used rather than being returned to their designated storage areas. **Inadequate lighting:** Poor lighting makes it difficult to see hazards underfoot, particularly on sites where work continues into the evening or in areas with limited natural light. **Inappropriate footwear:** Workers who are not wearing appropriate safety footwear with slip-resistant soles are at significantly greater risk of slipping, particularly on wet or muddy surfaces. **Trailing cables and hoses:** Power tools, temporary lighting, and compressed air equipment all require cables and hoses that can create trip hazards if they are not managed carefully. **Changes in level:** Steps, ramps, and changes in floor level that are not clearly marked or adequately lit are a common cause of trips, particularly for workers who are unfamiliar with the site layout. --- ## Risk Assessment The employer's first step in managing the risk of slips, trips and falls is to carry out a risk assessment. The risk assessment should identify the specific slip and trip hazards on the site, assess the likelihood and severity of injury, and identify the control measures required. The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly as site conditions change. A risk assessment carried out at the start of a project may not adequately address the hazards that arise as the project progresses and the site layout changes. --- ## Control Measures The following control measures should be considered for every construction site. **Housekeeping:** Good housekeeping is the single most effective control measure for preventing slips, trips and falls. The site should be kept clean and tidy at all times, with materials stored in designated areas, waste removed regularly, and walkways kept clear. A daily housekeeping inspection by the site manager or foreman is good practice. **Surface management:** Wet and slippery surfaces should be identified and addressed promptly. Anti-slip matting or grit should be applied to surfaces that are persistently wet or slippery. Mud on walkways and access routes should be removed regularly. **Lighting:** Adequate lighting should be provided in all areas where workers are required to work or walk, including during the hours of darkness and in areas with limited natural light. Temporary lighting should be maintained in good working order and replaced promptly when it fails. **Cable and hose management:** Cables and hoses should be routed to avoid walkways wherever possible. Where they must cross walkways, they should be covered with cable protectors or elevated above head height. Workers should be instructed to report trailing cables and hoses so that they can be managed promptly. **Signage:** Changes in level, wet surfaces, and other slip and trip hazards should be clearly marked with appropriate signage. Signage should be maintained in good condition and removed when the hazard has been addressed. **Footwear:** All workers should be required to wear appropriate safety footwear with slip-resistant soles. The site rules should specify the minimum footwear standard required, and compliance should be enforced. **Access routes:** Designated pedestrian access routes should be established and maintained throughout the project. These routes should be kept clear, well-lit, and in good condition. Where access routes cross vehicle routes, appropriate crossing points should be provided. --- ## Toolbox Talks Slips, trips and falls are a good subject for a regular toolbox talk. Workers should be reminded of the importance of good housekeeping, the specific hazards on the current site, and the controls that are in place. Workers should also be encouraged to report hazards that they identify, so that they can be addressed before an accident occurs. A toolbox talk on slips, trips and falls should cover: - The most common causes of slips, trips and falls on the site - The housekeeping standards expected of all workers - The designated pedestrian access routes - The procedure for reporting hazards - The importance of wearing appropriate footwear --- ## Reporting and Investigation All slips, trips and falls, including near misses, should be reported and investigated. Near misses are particularly valuable because they identify hazards before anyone is injured. The investigation should identify the root cause of the incident and the control measures required to prevent a recurrence. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers are required to report certain accidents to the HSA. A slip, trip or fall that results in an absence from work of more than three consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident) must be reported to the HSA using the online reporting system. --- If you need help with risk assessments, toolbox talks, or site safety inspections to manage the risk of slips, trips and falls on your construction site, Safety Check can assist. [Contact us](/contact) for practical guidance.