Newcastle University
Example Risk Assessment – Slips
Title and description of project
or activity
Responsible Person / Manager
School
Date of assessment
Location of work
(Buildings and room numbers)
Hazard 1
Risks
Control
Measures
This risk assessment is part of the Slips, trips and falls
generic risk assessment guidance designed to inform your
own local risk assessment.
University All
March 2012
Newcastle University premises and off site visits
Spills and splashes of liquids and
solids
Implemented
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
All schools should ensure that all staff are aware that they are responsible for taking
action to ensure that spills are cleaned up immediately. This may mean cleaning the
spill themselves or knowing how to report the spill to the cleaning staff.
If liquid is greasy ensure a suitable cleaning product is used.
Ensure that materials are available to clean up a spill or splash.
Ensure signs are used to tell people the floor is wet and use appropriate bypass
routes.
Ensure any machinery which could leak water or another substance is well
maintained and visual inspections are carried out.
Staff should be mindful of fridges and freezers defrosting or dripping and to clean
this up.
Discarded leaflets from promotional campaigns should be cleaned up by the event
organiser.
Staff accessing bin areas should take care as substances may have leaked or there
may be debris on the floor.
Additional controls will be needed where wet processes take place such as washing
up areas. Controls may include mats, floor drainage, minimising spills and extra
cleaning/mopping.
Supervisory staff should proactively look for food and drinks spills and debris in
both kitchen areas and where food/drinks are served/consumed. The sorts of thing
that have caused slips in the past are spilt beer, butter wrappers, cooking oil, tomato
from a sandwich, waste food, cucumber on the floor).
Where areas are used by multiple people then everyone needs to be aware of the
possibility of a spill or item on the floor. For example there may be washing up
liquid or debris on the floor of a student kitchen.
In extreme cases there may be floods. Staff involved in such clean ups will have
access to local risk assessments and procedures.
Hazard 2
Wet floors (following cleaning)
Risks
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
Cleaning staff are trained in cleaning to BICS/NVQ standard.
Control
Date
March 2012
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Implemented
Date
March 2012
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Measures
Planned cleaning takes place out of hours and/or avoid periods of high traffic on
pedestrian circulation routes such as the start of the day and lunch time.
Leave warning signs out in prominent locations where floors could still be wet after
cleaning.
Staff who may need to clean periodically should have a basic understanding of
cleaning techniques so they do not slip themselves or leave a wet floor for other
people.
Hazard 3
Unsuitable footwear
Risks
Control
Measures
Hazard 4
Risks
Control
Measures
Hazard 5
Risks
Control
Measures
Implemented
Date
March 2012
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students and visitors
 Higher risk for workers in specific areas (kitchens, maintenance work)
Some workers (e.g. catering) will be required to use the correct type of footwear,
particularly with the correct type of sole. This footwear should be fit for the task,
maintained and renewed. This should be identified in the local risk assessment.
There should also be controlled access to areas that have a greater likelihood of slips.
The local risk assessments and policies for areas such as labs and workshops will
have controls relating to all users wearing certain sorts of footwear.
Loose mats on polished floors
Implemented
Date
March 2012
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
Any school wishing to have mats or an absorbent surface on polished floors should
speak to ESS.
Inclement weather conditions (Rain,
Implemented
sleet , ice and snow)
Date
March 2012
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
ESS and their design partners consider rain water entering the building when
designing new builds and refurbishments such as canopies over entrances.
A prioritised gritting programme is undertaken by ESS Grounds on the main campus
during inclement weather. This is based on the main pedestrian routes, numbers of
people using a route and emergency exit routes.
Whilst it may not be reasonably practicable to grit all areas due to extreme weather
conditions, any concerns about areas which appear to be untreated or inadequately
treated should be raised with ESS.
Some schools and sites also undertake gritting of entrances and paths. This should be
documented locally.
Off site visits may need to take place in inclement weather. Any treatment of
surfaces will be outside the control of the University so staff are asked to be extra
vigilant. Anyone undertaking off site visits should stick to main routes and not take
short cuts. They should also be vigilant when exiting vehicles.
Hazard 6
Leaves & Moss
Risks
 Slip causing injury
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Implemented
Date
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Control
Measures
Hazard 7
Risks
Control
Measures
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
ESS Grounds are responsible for leaf and moss clearance.
Some services/schools also clear leaves. These arrangements should be documented
locally.
Anyone having concerns about a build up of leaves or moss between should use the
ESS defects procedure (ring 7171).
Change from wet surface to a dry
one.
Implemented
Date
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
Doormats and absorbent matting is located where change is likely in areas like
building entrances.
If there are any problems with water trailing beyond the absorbent surface please
speak to ESS.
Date
March 2012
Hazard 8
Unsuitable floor surface/ covering
Risks
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
ESS work with schools, designers and contractors to specify suitable flooring.
Control
Measures
Implemented
Temporary ramps etc. should be to the standard specification.
Anyone having concerns about the suitability of a floor surface should use the ESS
defects procedure (ring 7171).
Hazard 8
Sloping Surfaces & Stairs
Implemented
Date
March 2012
Control
Measures
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
ESS ensure that sloping surfaces and stairs are adequately marked. This may include
hand rails, floor markings and nosings.
Staff and students are asked to be extra vigilant when undertaking fieldwork and
outdoor working. Local risk assessments should take account of any site specific
sloping surfaces.
Hazard
10
Slippery surfaces
Risks
Risks
Control
Measures
Implemented
Date
N/A
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
The slip resistance of all surfaces on University premises are assessed by ESS when
the surface is specified.
Surfaces are maintained by ESS (or locally in AHS and some other areas).
If there are any concerns about slippery surfaces on University premises please
contact ESS on 7171 who will assess the cause and action accordingly.
Some surfaces which are designed to be stood on will be naturally wet such as
showers and baths in residential bathrooms and at the various sports facilities. Users
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are asked to take extra care when using these facilities.
Staff and students are asked to be extra vigilant when undertaking fieldwork and
outdoor working. Local risk assessments should take account of any site specific
slippery surfaces such as seaweed, slippery rocks, wet grass, wet decks on ferries
etc.
Hazard
11
Smoke/steam/ obstructed view
Implemented
Date
N/A
Control
Measures
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
There are working environments in the University where there is smoke and steam
generated. Local risk assessments should cover directing the smoke/steam away
from pedestrian routes, ventilation.
Care should be taken when moving and handling that the view is not obstructed.
Hazard
12
Uneven flooring
Risks
Implemented
Date
N/A
Control
Measures
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
ESS look at all external surfaces as part of the planned preventative maintenance
programme. There are action levels relating to work on uneven surfaces.
Staff should be encouraged to use designated pedestrian routes. The ability to take
shortcuts (e.g. a gap in a fence leading people to not use the normal pedestrian route
or across decorative cobbles ) should also be looked at.
Hazard
13
Lack of self awareness from groups
Implemented
at risk of slipping
Risks
Risks
Control
Measures
Date
March 2012
 Slip causing injury
 People at risk are staff, students, visitors
Slips can happen to anyone. This is supported is accident statistics which show that
slips happen across the University for a variety of reasons. Everyone reading this
risk assessment should be vigilant about their own safety. Signs will be displayed
where there are slip risks. Everyone should also be aware of some factors which
have caused or contributed to slips in the past:
Talking to friends and colleagues.
Not watching what they are doing or being distracted.
Wearing footwear such as flip flops and slippers.
Alcohol consumption and horseplay.
Rushing or being tired.
Assessor
Name
Signature
USO
Responsible Person / Manager
Name
Signature
Date
March 2012
Date
Please remember to report all Slip, Trip and Fall near misses and accidents to the University Safety
Office using the accident report form.
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