A new SafeWork SA campaign targeting slip and trip hazards aims to raise awareness about how to keep South Australians safe at work.
The campaign, called Safety at work is a serious job, features Stanley the talking safety cone providing advice on slips and trips, falls from heights and roll-away vehicles.
Slips and trips resulted in five workplace deaths and more than 190 serious injuries in South Australia between 2022 and 2025.
In the same period, SafeWork SA inspectors issued 776 statutory notices related to spills for non-compliance with work, health and safety laws. This included 714 Improvement Notices and 62 Prohibition Notices.
Common industries for slips and trips are construction, healthcare, manufacturing and transport.
Slips and trips are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries.
Recent examples include:
- A healthcare worker in 2023 stepped into a patch of oil spilled by a resident. The worker slipped and fell backwards injuring his shoulder and head.
- A horticulture worker was using powered outdoor equipment in 2022 when they tripped, fell backwards and hit their head. Their symptoms worsened after the incident, and the worker later died.
- A storm flooded part of a tiled corridor in an administration building in 2022, making the floor slippery. A staff member slipped on the tiles while heading to the bathroom, resulting in a broken hip.
- An Uber driver was heading back to her vehicle in 2022 after completing a delivery and slipped on the footpath, breaking her leg.
The campaign aims to remind workers, employers and sole operators about the dangers and the need to put safety first regardless of where they work.
It includes the sub-message You know the drill, clean up that spill.
A webpage specifically on the hazard has also been created on the SafeWork SA website (link).
To minimise the risk of harm from a slip or trip, workers must:
- Clean up spills immediately
- Ensure the floor in the work area is free of clutter and trip hazards
- Choose appropriate footwear
- Maintain three points of contact when walking up or down stairs.
The awareness campaign will support SafeWork SA’s ongoing compliance and education activities across a range of industries.
Visit our campaign hub for more information.
Attribute to SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell
Slips and trips might seem minor, but the consequences can be severe and even fatal.
Something as simple as cleaning up a spill straight away can prevent a serious injury.
Too many workers are being hurt while performing everyday tasks because hazards like spills and clutter aren’t addressed. You know the drill – clean up that spill and put safety first.
This campaign is about changing everyday behaviour. When workers and employers take responsibility for keeping work areas clear and safe, we reduce injuries and help ensure everyone gets home safely.
Source: SafeWork SA
