Health and Safety Executive

Slips and trips in retail

Slips and trips are the highest cause of injury in retail, in 2005/06 there were 1012 major injuries reported to the HSE. Half of those accidents happened in supermarkets and food stores. Sales assistants were found to be most at risk.  In retail, more slips happen than trips and they are mainly due to:

  • smooth cleaned floors being left wet;
  • spills not cleaned up quickly and effectively; and
  • failing to keep the floor free from contamination.

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Updated 17.10.11