According to the Safe Work Australia Key Work Health and Safety Statistics reports for 2025, 32,000 workers’ compensation claims were made in the 2024-2025 period for serious injuries arising from slips, trips and falls. To help employers better manage these risks SafeWork Australia has issued new guidance on slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
The guide provides practical information to help workplaces identify slip, trip and fall hazards and to develop and implement effective control measures. While these incidents are often linked to factors such as uneven surfaces, poor housekeeping or inadequate lighting, the guide also highlights broader factors that can contribute to the risk, including how work is organised and managed.
Reporting slips, trips and falls is extremely important but is often missed in busy workplaces – unless a serious injury is sustained there is a tendency to “soldier on” in the interests of maintaining production. Similarly, prompt reporting of hazards that present a risk of slips, trips or falls, especially preventative reporting, is important and means action can be taken before an incident occurs – e.g. leaky tap leading to water on floor, damaged surfaces.
Designed as a practical, easy-to-use resource, the guide can be used across a wide range of industries and workplaces. It supports employers to take a proactive approach to identifying hazards, managing risks and creating safer work environments and includes discussion about combining control measures to further reduce risk.
The guide also includes a downloadable checklist which can be used to identify slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace.
Employers have a duty under WHS laws to eliminate risks to health and safety or minimise those risks as much as they reasonably can. Understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to slips, trips and falls is an important part of meeting these obligations and preventing harm at work.
Read more: Guide to managing the risks of slips, trips and falls