How to Record a Slips, Trips and Falls Video for Your Health and Safety System

Why Record a Slips, Trips and Falls Video?

Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries. They can result in anything from minor bruises to serious fractures and long-term disability. Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of employees and visitors, and this duty specifically includes managing the risks of slipping, tripping and falling.

A video recording supports effective management of these risks in several important ways. It allows you to demonstrate what clean and tidy areas actually look like. It shows staff exactly what hazards to watch for and how to address them. It reinforces the message that everyone has a role in keeping walkways clear. And it ensures consistent training across your entire team.

By recording a slips, trips and falls video, you help employees understand why these risks matter, recognise hazards before accidents happen, maintain good housekeeping standards, and know how to respond when they spot potential problems. Prevention is always better than dealing with the consequences of an accident.

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Step 1: Set the Scene and Context

Opening Your Video

Begin by establishing the organisation's duty to protect health and safety and why slips, trips and falls deserve specific attention. The tone should be practical and motivating—these accidents are preventable through consistent good practice.

Sample opening script:

"Welcome to our slips, trips and falls training. In this video, we'll explain why these accidents are a serious concern, what we do to prevent them, and what role you play in keeping everyone safe.

We have a duty to protect the health and safety of our employees and anyone visiting our premises. This duty specifically includes the risks of slipping, tripping and falling.

These might sound like minor incidents, but they're not. Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries. They can result in broken bones, head injuries, back problems, and other serious harm. They affect the person injured, their colleagues who may witness the accident, and the organisation through lost time and potential legal consequences.

The good news is that most slips, trips and falls are preventable. They usually result from hazards that could have been spotted and addressed. That's what this training is about—helping you recognise hazards and maintain the standards that prevent accidents."

Explaining Why This Matters

Help employees understand the real impact of slips, trips and falls. Statistics and consequences make the issue tangible.

Talking points:

• Slips, trips and falls are consistently among the top causes of workplace injury
• They affect all types of workplaces, not just obviously hazardous environments
• Injuries can range from minor to life-changing
• Recovery from falls can take weeks or months
• Falls can happen to anyone—they're not just a risk for certain people
• Most are preventable through good housekeeping and hazard awareness

The Organisation's Commitment

Explain that preventing slips, trips and falls is an organisational priority with specific arrangements in place.

Sample script:

"We aim to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls by following specific safety arrangements. These aren't just good ideas—they're our formal approach to managing these risks.

These arrangements cover awareness and training for all staff, identifying and assessing hazards, implementing control measures, maintaining floor surfaces properly, monitoring pedestrian movement, and reviewing our approach to ensure it's working.

Everyone has a role to play. Responsible Persons lead on awareness and monitoring, but every member of staff contributes by maintaining good housekeeping and reporting hazards they spot."

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Step 2: Plan What to Record vs Write

Content That Works Best on Video

Slips, trips and falls prevention benefits enormously from visual demonstration. Showing what a clear walkway looks like, demonstrating how to deal with a spill, or walking through a space to point out potential hazards—these are far more effective on video than in writing. Prioritise these elements:

Record on video:

• What clean and tidy areas actually look like in your specific workplace
• Common hazards and how to recognise them
• How to respond when you spot a hazard (spills, obstacles, damage)
• Good housekeeping practices in action
• Proper storage and placement of equipment and materials
• Warning sign placement for temporary hazards
• Examples of floor surfaces and potential problems

Document in writing:

• Detailed risk assessment procedures
• Specific control measures for identified hazards
• Floor maintenance schedules and responsibilities
• Inspection checklists and frequencies
• Reporting procedures for hazards and incidents
• Training records and requirements

Structuring Your Recording

Plan your video to flow from understanding the risks through to practical prevention measures. A logical structure might be:

1. Why slips, trips and falls matter
2. Common causes and how to spot them
3. Keeping walkways clear and areas tidy
4. Good housekeeping practices
5. Dealing with spills and temporary hazards
6. Floor surfaces and maintenance
7. Reporting and monitoring
8. Everyone's role in prevention

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Step 3: Explain the Core Rules and Requirements

Raising Staff Awareness

Explain that Responsible Persons raise awareness amongst staff about keeping walkways clear and areas clean and tidy.

Sample script:

"Responsible Persons raise awareness amongst staff about keeping walkways clear and areas clean and tidy. This awareness is fundamental to preventing slips, trips and falls.

Awareness means understanding that a box left in a walkway is a trip hazard. It means recognising that a wet floor needs attention. It means noticing when something is out of place and could cause an accident.

This isn't about creating extra work—it's about developing habits that keep everyone safe. When keeping areas clear and tidy becomes second nature, hazards are addressed before they cause harm."

Housekeeping Training

Explain that staff receive training on the importance of good housekeeping, with all training documented.

Sample script:

"All staff receive training on the importance of good housekeeping. This training is documented to ensure everyone receives it and to maintain records of what was covered.

Good housekeeping means keeping your work area clean and organised, storing equipment and materials properly, cleaning up spills immediately, not leaving items where people walk, disposing of waste properly, and maintaining the standards that prevent hazards developing.

This video is part of that training. By understanding why housekeeping matters and what good practice looks like, you're better equipped to maintain safe conditions."

Senior Team Responsibilities

Explain that senior team members are identified to monitor and improve pedestrian movement.

Talking points:

• Senior team members are identified for specific monitoring responsibilities
• They're responsible for monitoring safe pedestrian movement around the venue
• They work to improve pedestrian movement where problems are identified
• This includes observing how people move through spaces
• They identify bottlenecks, congestion, or problematic routes
• Their observations inform improvements to layout and procedures

Risk Assessment

Explain how potential causes of slips, trips and falls are identified through risk assessment.

Sample script:

"All potential causes of slips, trips and falls are identified through assessment of risk. This systematic approach ensures we don't overlook hazards.

The risk assessment examines floor surfaces—are they suitable for the activities that take place? Are there any damaged or worn areas? The assessment looks at walkways—are they kept clear? Are they wide enough for the traffic they carry?

It considers environmental factors like lighting—can people see where they're going? It examines cleaning practices—do they create wet floor hazards? It looks at storage—does it encroach on walkways?

The assessment identifies all potential causes so that appropriate control measures can be developed and implemented."

Procedures and Control Measures

Explain that specific procedures and control measures are developed based on the risk assessment.

Talking points:

• Procedures and control measures are developed and implemented
• These address the specific hazards identified in your workplace
• Control measures might include physical changes (better flooring, improved lighting)
• They might include procedural controls (cleaning schedules, storage rules)
• They might include equipment (warning signs, spill kits, mats)
• All staff need to follow the procedures for them to be effective

Floor Surface Requirements

Explain the importance of appropriate floor surfaces that are properly maintained.

Sample script:

"Floor surfaces must be fit for the purpose—suitable for the activities that take place and the conditions they'll face.

Different areas may need different surfaces. Areas where liquids are present need slip-resistant flooring. Areas with heavy foot traffic need durable surfaces that won't wear into trip hazards. Transitions between different surfaces need to be smooth to prevent trips.

Floor surfaces must be routinely maintained and checked. Damage, wear, or lifting edges create trip hazards. Cleaning must be appropriate for the surface type. Maintenance schedules ensure surfaces remain safe rather than deteriorating into hazards.

If you notice floor damage—cracks, loose tiles, worn areas, lifting edges—report it. Don't assume someone else has noticed."

Competent Personnel

Explain that risk assessments and safety inspections are carried out by competent, trained people.

Talking points:

• Risk assessments and safety inspections are carried out by competent and trained personnel
• Competence means having the knowledge and skills to identify hazards
• Training ensures assessors know what to look for
• This applies to formal assessments and routine inspections
• Competent assessment ensures hazards aren't missed
• If you're asked to carry out inspections, you'll receive appropriate training

Monitoring and Review

Explain that arrangements are monitored and reviewed to ensure they remain effective.

Sample script:

"We monitor and review our arrangements to ensure we have sufficient protocols in place to control the potential risk of slips, trips and falls.

This monitoring checks whether the procedures are being followed, whether the control measures are working, whether new hazards have emerged, and whether changes are needed.

Review might be triggered by an incident, by changes to the premises or activities, or simply by regular scheduled review. The goal is ensuring our arrangements remain effective—not just assuming they work because they were set up.

Your feedback is part of this process. If you see problems with current arrangements, or have ideas for improvement, raise them."

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Step 4: Demonstrate or Walk Through the Process

Recognising Slip Hazards

Walk through common slip hazards and how to spot them.

Sample script:

"Slips happen when there's not enough friction between footwear and the floor surface. Let me show you the common causes.

Wet floors are the classic slip hazard. This could be from spills, cleaning, leaks, or water tracked in from outside. If you see a wet floor, either clean it up immediately if that's appropriate, or place warning signs and arrange for it to be addressed.

Contamination on floors also causes slips—oil, grease, food debris, dust, or powder. These substances reduce grip even on dry-looking floors. Clean them up promptly using appropriate methods for the substance.

Some floor surfaces become slippery when wet, even though they're fine when dry. Know which surfaces in your workplace have this characteristic and take extra care during cleaning or when liquids might be present.

Worn or polished floors can be slippery even when clean and dry. Report floor surfaces that seem to have lost their grip."

Recognising Trip Hazards

Walk through common trip hazards and how to spot them.

Sample script:

"Trips happen when your foot hits an obstacle you didn't expect or can't see. These are the common causes.

Objects in walkways are the most obvious trip hazard—boxes, cables, equipment, bags, anything that shouldn't be there. If you put something down temporarily, think about whether it's in anyone's path. If you see something in a walkway, move it.

Uneven surfaces cause trips—damaged flooring, raised edges, changes in level that aren't clearly marked. If you notice floor damage, report it.

Poor lighting contributes to trips because people can't see hazards. If lighting is inadequate in an area, report it.

Trailing cables are a particular problem. If cables must cross walkways, use cable covers or route them differently. Don't just hope people will step over them.

Loose mats or rugs can bunch up and create trip points. Ensure mats lie flat and have edges that won't curl."

Recognising Fall Hazards

Explain how falls can occur and what to watch for.

Talking points:

• Falls can result from slips or trips, or from falls from height
• Wet or icy outdoor surfaces increase fall risk
• Poorly maintained steps or stairs cause falls
• Missing or damaged handrails remove a safety support
• Working at height without proper precautions causes falls
• Rushing increases the likelihood of losing balance after a slip or trip

Good Housekeeping in Practice

Demonstrate what good housekeeping looks like in your specific workplace.

Sample script:

"Let me show you what good housekeeping looks like in practice.

Walkways are kept completely clear. Nothing is stored in circulation routes, even temporarily. If something needs to be moved, it goes directly to its destination, not left in a walkway 'for now.'

Work areas are tidy and organised. Equipment has a designated place and returns to it after use. Materials are stored properly, not left where they might fall or be knocked into walkways.

Spills are cleaned immediately—or if you can't clean them yourself, warning signs go up and someone who can clean them is notified straight away.

Waste goes in bins, not on the floor or work surfaces where it might end up underfoot.

Cables and leads are routed safely, secured where necessary, and not left trailing across walkways.

This isn't about being obsessively neat—it's about maintaining conditions where accidents don't happen."

Dealing with Spills and Temporary Hazards

Walk through the process for handling spills and other temporary hazards.

Sample script:

"When a spill occurs or you discover a temporary hazard, here's what to do.

First, assess whether you can deal with it yourself or whether you need help. A small water spill might just need mopping up. A large chemical spill needs specialist response.

If you can't clean it immediately, place warning signs to alert others. Signs should be visible from all approaches to the hazard. Don't assume people will notice—warn them explicitly.

Clean up using appropriate methods and equipment. For liquids, mop rather than just spreading the liquid around. Dry the surface after mopping if possible.

For solid debris, sweep or vacuum rather than kicking items aside.

Once cleaned, check the area is actually safe before removing warning signs. A floor that's been mopped might still be damp and slippery.

If the hazard can't be fully addressed—damaged flooring, for instance—ensure it's reported and that appropriate warnings remain in place until it's fixed."

Inspections and Monitoring

Explain how regular inspections help identify hazards before accidents occur.

Talking points:

• Routine inspections check for slip, trip and fall hazards
• Inspections cover walkways, floor surfaces, storage areas, and work spaces
• Identified hazards are documented and addressed
• Senior team members monitor pedestrian movement
• Patterns of near-misses or congestion inform improvements
• Inspections are carried out by competent, trained personnel

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Step 5: Highlight Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Leaving Items in Walkways "Just for a Moment"

Signs this is happening:

• Boxes, equipment, or materials are regularly found in corridors
• Staff place items in walkways intending to move them shortly
• The same "temporary" obstructions reappear repeatedly
• Near-misses occur from people navigating around obstacles
• "Just for now" becomes the permanent state

How to avoid it:

Establish that walkways must always be clear—no exceptions for temporary placement. If something needs to go somewhere, take it directly there. If it can't go to its destination yet, store it somewhere that isn't a circulation route. Make clear walkways a visible standard that everyone maintains. Challenge obstructions when you see them.

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Mistake 2: Not Addressing Spills Immediately

Signs this is happening:

• Wet floors are left without warning signs or cleaning
• Staff walk past spills assuming someone else will deal with them
• Cleaning spills is seen as "not my job"
• Warning signs are unavailable or not used
• Spills dry naturally rather than being cleaned up

How to avoid it:

Establish that whoever sees a spill takes responsibility—either cleaning it themselves or ensuring it's addressed immediately with appropriate warnings. Make warning signs easily accessible. Ensure cleaning materials are available. Create a culture where leaving a spill unaddressed is unacceptable, regardless of who caused it.

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Mistake 3: Inadequate Housekeeping Training

Signs this is happening:

• Staff don't understand why housekeeping matters
• Training is brief or non-existent
• New starters aren't trained on housekeeping standards
• There's no documentation of training provided
• Standards vary widely between individuals and teams

How to avoid it:

Provide genuine training on the importance of good housekeeping to all staff. Document all training provided as required. Cover why it matters (the consequences of slips, trips and falls), what good housekeeping looks like specifically in your workplace, and what individuals are expected to do. Refresh training periodically.

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Mistake 4: Not Assessing Risks Properly

Signs this is happening:

• Risk assessments don't specifically address slips, trips and falls
• Potential causes haven't been systematically identified
• Assessments are done once and never updated
• Hazards exist that haven't been captured in assessments
• Control measures don't match the actual risks present

How to avoid it:

Ensure risk assessments specifically identify all potential causes of slips, trips and falls. Use competent and trained personnel to carry out assessments. Cover all areas—workspaces, walkways, storage, entrances, outdoor areas. Review assessments when circumstances change or after incidents. Use assessments to develop appropriate procedures and control measures.

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Mistake 5: Floor Surfaces Not Maintained

Signs this is happening:

• Floor damage is visible but not repaired
• Worn areas have become slippery or uneven
• Maintenance is reactive rather than preventive
• Routine checks of floor condition don't occur
• Transitions between surfaces are damaged or poorly finished

How to avoid it:

Ensure floor surfaces are fit for the purpose and routinely maintained and checked. Establish maintenance schedules that don't just respond to damage but prevent it. Address reported damage promptly. Check that floor surfaces remain suitable as activities or conditions change. Consider whether different areas need different flooring types.

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Mistake 6: No One Monitoring Pedestrian Movement

Signs this is happening:

• Congestion points develop without anyone noticing
• Pedestrian routes become informal and potentially hazardous
• Layout changes don't consider how people move through spaces
• Near-misses occur at particular locations repeatedly
• No one has responsibility for observing movement patterns

How to avoid it:

Identify senior team members responsible for monitoring and improving safe pedestrian movement around the venue. Ensure they actually observe how people move through spaces. Look for congestion, bottlenecks, desire lines that differ from planned routes, and areas where people have to navigate around obstacles. Use observations to inform layout and procedural improvements.

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Mistake 7: Warning Signs Not Used or Unavailable

Signs this is happening:

• Wet floors go unmarked
• Warning signs exist but staff don't know where they are
• Signs are placed but not in all approach directions
• Signs are removed before hazards are fully addressed
• There aren't enough signs for the premises

How to avoid it:

Ensure adequate warning signs are available and staff know where to find them. Train staff on when and how to use them—including placing signs visible from all approaches to a hazard. Ensure signs remain in place until the hazard is fully resolved, not just partially addressed. Include warning sign availability in inspections.

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Mistake 8: Trailing Cables as Accepted Practice

Signs this is happening:

• Cables routinely cross walkways without protection
• Extension leads trail across floors
• Cable management isn't considered when setting up equipment
• Staff step over cables as normal practice
• Trip incidents occur but cable routing doesn't change

How to avoid it:

Eliminate trailing cables where possible through better placement of equipment and power sources. Where cables must cross walkways, use cable covers or overhead routing. Include cable management in workplace setup procedures. Don't accept "we've always done it this way" when cables create trip hazards.

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Mistake 9: Inspections Not Carried Out Properly

Signs this is happening:

• Inspection checklists are completed without actual observation
• The same hazards persist despite inspections
• Inspectors aren't trained in what to look for
• Inspection findings don't result in action
• Inspections are seen as paperwork rather than hazard identification

How to avoid it:

Ensure risk assessments and safety inspections are carried out by competent and trained personnel. Train inspectors on what to look for and how to assess hazards. Ensure inspection findings are acted upon—identified hazards must be addressed. Check that inspections are genuine observations, not box-ticking exercises.

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Mistake 10: Treating Prevention as a One-Time Setup

Signs this is happening:

• Arrangements haven't been reviewed in years
• New hazards have emerged but controls haven't adapted
• Incidents occur but don't trigger review
• Staff feedback on hazards isn't sought or acted upon
• The same types of incidents keep happening

How to avoid it:

Monitor and review arrangements regularly to ensure sufficient protocols remain in place to control slip, trip and fall risks. Review after incidents, after changes to premises or activities, and on a scheduled basis. Check whether current procedures are being followed and whether they're effective. Update arrangements when monitoring identifies gaps or problems.

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Step 6: Summarise the Key Takeaways

Closing Your Video

End with a clear summary that reinforces the key messages and everyone's role in prevention.

Sample closing script:

"Let's summarise the key points from this training.

We have a duty to protect the health and safety of employees and visitors, including the risks of slipping, tripping and falling. These are common causes of workplace injury, but they're preventable.

Responsible Persons raise awareness amongst staff about keeping walkways clear and areas clean and tidy. This awareness is fundamental to prevention.

All staff receive training on the importance of good housekeeping. This training is documented. By understanding why housekeeping matters, you're better equipped to maintain safe conditions.

Senior team members are responsible for monitoring and improving safe pedestrian movement around the venue. They observe how people move through spaces and identify improvements.

All potential causes of slips, trips and falls are identified through assessment of risk. This systematic approach ensures hazards aren't overlooked.

Based on these assessments, we develop and implement procedures and control measures. Floor surfaces are fit for the purpose and routinely maintained and checked.

Risk assessments and safety inspections are carried out by competent and trained personnel. This ensures hazards are properly identified.

We monitor and review our arrangements to ensure they remain effective at controlling these risks.

Your role is essential. Keep walkways clear. Maintain clean and tidy areas. Address spills immediately. Report hazards you can't fix yourself. Follow the procedures we've established.

Prevention depends on everyone. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our workplace safe."

Final Checklist

Before finalising your video, confirm you have covered:

• The duty to protect health and safety including slip, trip and fall risks
• The aim to minimise these risks through safety arrangements
• Responsible Persons raising awareness about walkways and tidiness
• Training on good housekeeping with documentation
• Senior team members monitoring pedestrian movement
• Risk assessment to identify all potential causes
• Developing and implementing procedures and control measures
• Floor surfaces fit for purpose, routinely maintained and checked
• Competent and trained personnel for assessments and inspections
• Monitoring and review of arrangements
• Practical demonstrations of hazard recognition
• Good housekeeping practices shown in your specific workplace

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Additional Recording Tips

Using Your Actual Workplace

The most effective slips, trips and falls training shows your actual premises. Walk through your spaces pointing out specific hazards and good practices. This makes the training immediately relevant rather than abstract.

Showing Contrast

Consider showing both good and bad examples:

• A clear walkway versus one with obstacles
• Proper cable management versus trailing cables
• A promptly addressed spill versus an unmarked wet floor
• Well-maintained flooring versus damaged surfaces

Visual contrast makes the message memorable.

Involving Staff

Consider featuring staff members demonstrating good practice. This shows that housekeeping is everyone's responsibility and makes the video feel more relevant and less top-down.

Seasonal Considerations

If your premises have seasonal hazards—wet leaves in autumn, ice in winter, water tracked in during rain—consider addressing these specifically. Prevention needs to adapt to changing conditions.

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Conclusion

A well-produced slips, trips and falls video helps communicate your organisation's commitment to preventing these common accidents and ensures everyone understands their role in maintaining safe conditions. By covering risk assessment, staff awareness, housekeeping training, floor maintenance, pedestrian movement monitoring, and control measures, you create a comprehensive training resource that prevents injuries.

Remember that the video is part of a broader approach. It should be supported by genuine risk assessment, appropriate control measures, properly maintained floor surfaces, regular inspections by competent personnel, and ongoing monitoring and review. Slips, trips and falls prevention requires sustained attention—it's not something you set up once and forget.

Your slips, trips and falls video demonstrates that you take these risks seriously and that every member of staff has a role in prevention. When keeping areas clear and tidy becomes everyone's habit, accidents become rare rather than routine.