Cold, wet, and icy weather can turn everyday tasks into serious safety risks. Preventing slips, trips and falls in winter requires careful planning, consistent maintenance, and clear communication to keep workplaces safe and operational.
This guide details practical steps to help employers and safety managers manage winter hazards effectively. It also includes a free downloadable Winter Inspection Checklist to support early risk identification, prompt action, and safe access throughout the colder months.
Download your Winter Inspection Checklist
How common are slips and falls in winter?
Slips, trips and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injury in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), these accidents account for around 30% of all non-fatal workplace injuries reported under RIDDOR each year.
Winter conditions significantly raise the risk of slips and trips. According to the HSE, “slip and trip accidents increase during the autumn and winter seasons”. This is due to factors such as reduced daylight, wet leaves on paths, and the accumulation of ice and snow.
The financial and operational impact is also significant. The HSE estimates that slips, trips and falls cost UK employers over £500 million annually in lost productivity, staff absence, and claims.
6 Practical tips for preventing slips, trips and falls in winter
Here are practical steps every organisation can take to manage seasonal risks and keep people safe during cold, wet, and icy conditions.
1. Carry out a winter risk assessment
Start by reviewing your existing risk assessment to ensure it covers hazards specific to winter conditions.
Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess risks to employees and others who may be affected by their work. This includes identifying how seasonal changes (such as ice, snow, rain, and reduced daylight) might increase the likelihood of slips and trips.
Walk around your site and note where surfaces could become slippery or visibility reduced. Pay particular attention to:
- Outdoor areas such as car parks, loading bays, steps, ramps, and walkways.
- Indoor areas like entrances, corridors, and reception spaces where water, mud, or ice may be brought in on shoes.
Create or adapt a winter inspection checklist (see our free download below) to track hazards and control measures.
During cold or wet spells, increase the frequency of checks and record each action, such as gritting, de-icing, clearing snow, or drying wet floors. Documenting in this way helps you plan and prioritise actions and provides evidence to support your legal duties under the Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires employers to ensure the health and safety of employees “so far as is reasonably practicable”, and the requirement to carry out a risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
2. Keep paths, entrances and car parks clear
Keeping outdoor routes safe and accessible is one of the most effective ways of preventing slips, trips and falls in winter.
Under Regulation 12 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must ensure that floors and traffic routes are kept free from obstructions and are not slippery, so far as is reasonably practicable. This duty applies to outdoor areas such as car parks, walkways, and loading bays.
Focus on:
- Sloped or uneven paths
- Entrances and steps where snow and ice builds up
- Car parks and loading bays where compacted snow increases slip risks.
Close or cordon off unsafe areas and provide clearly marked alternative routes.
Support physical controls with communication:
- Display warning signs in affected areas
- Maintain good outdoor lighting for visibility
- Check and maintain signage and lighting regularly.
Assign responsibility for gritting, de-icing, and snow clearance. Ensure grit, salt, tools, and protective equipment are available before temperatures drop. Grit early in the morning, before staff or visitors arrive, and repeat in busy or changing areas.
3. Maintain good housekeeping indoors
Wet footwear, umbrellas, and outer clothing can quickly transfer water, snow, and grit onto indoor floors, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Regulation 12 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be kept clean, dry, and free from substances that could cause slipping.
Start by placing high-quality, absorbent mats at every main entrance to capture moisture before it reaches smooth flooring. Mats should:
- Be long enough for several steps to remove water and grit from footwear.
- Be secured flat to the floor to prevent edges from lifting and causing trips.
- Be inspected frequently and replaced or dried when saturated.
Use non-slip flooring in areas where moisture is common, such as entrances, washrooms, and canteens. Where permanent non-slip flooring is not possible, anti-slip coatings or rubber-backed mats can offer effective alternatives.
Assign clear responsibility for maintaining dry, safe walkways. Spills, melted snow, and tracked-in water should be cleaned promptly, and wet floor signs used whenever surfaces are slippery. Keep cleaning tools and materials close to entrances to allow for quick response during busy times.
Regular housekeeping checks (especially during morning arrivals and peak activity periods) help ensure conditions remain safe throughout the day. Encouraging staff to report any hazards also supports a proactive safety culture.
4. Provide suitable footwear and PPE
Footwear is one of the most effective controls for avoiding slips and falls in winter, particularly when employees work outdoors or in environments where floors are frequently wet.
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, Regulation 4, employers must provide suitable PPE where risks cannot be controlled by other means, ensuring it fits correctly and is appropriate for the task and conditions.
For outdoor workers or those exposed to persistent ice or snow, specialist footwear or attachments may be necessary, such as:
- Ice grips, spikes, or overshoes that can be worn over standard boots for additional traction.
- Thermal, waterproof safety boots to keep feet warm and dry while maintaining protection from slips.
Employers should record footwear and PPE requirements in risk assessments. They should ensure employees should know where and when to wear additional protection, how to store it properly, and when to request replacements.
Supervisors should regularly check that employees are wearing suitable footwear and that it remains in good condition.
5. Improve lighting and visibility
Good lighting is essential for reducing the risk of winter slips and falls, when shorter days and poor weather conditions can obscure hazards. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, Regulation 8 requires employers to ensure that every workplace has suitable and sufficient lighting for the tasks being carried out, including safe access and egress routes.
Review lighting levels inside and outside the premises. Pay close attention to:
- Car parks, footpaths, and entrances, where uneven or icy surfaces can become difficult to see in low light.
- Steps, ramps, and loading areas, which require stronger illumination to highlight changes in level or surface.
- Corridors, stairwells, and emergency exits, where consistent lighting helps prevent missteps and collisions.
Lighting should be evenly distributed to avoid glare and dark patches, which can distort depth perception. Choose bulbs that provide sufficient brightness (measured in lux) for the environment, and ensure fixtures are cleaned and maintained regularly as dust and grime can significantly reduce their effectiveness.
For external areas, motion-activated or timed lighting systems can provide reliable illumination during dark mornings and evenings while saving energy. These should activate early enough to allow safe movement before people arrive or leave.
Additional practical steps include:
- Reflective paint or anti-slip tape on steps and edges to improve visibility and grip.
- High-contrast markings to define routes clearly in low-light conditions.
- Illuminated signage to guide staff and visitors safely around car parks or large sites.
- Regular inspections to check for faulty lights or areas where visibility has reduced, especially after weather damage or power issues.
Where visibility remains limited due to weather conditions such as fog or heavy rain, temporary lighting or portable LED lamps can be used to enhance visibility in key work zones.
6. Raise awareness and provide training
Raising awareness and providing regular training are essential for avoiding slips and falls in winter. Under the Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 10 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must provide information, instruction, and training to ensure safe working practices.
Communicate early and clearly
Share key messages before winter sets in through team briefings, toolbox talks, digital updates, and signage. Reinforce these regularly during periods of severe weather.
Deliver practical, role-specific training
Focus on recognising and reporting hazards, safe walking techniques, suitable footwear, and correct use of PPE. Supervisors should model safe behaviour and encourage open reporting of risks.
Reinforce a visible safety culture
Use posters, warning signs, and quick reference materials near high-risk areas to keep safety front of mind.
Free Winter Inspection Checklist
Download your free Winter Inspection Checklist for winter slip, trip and falls prevention. It is a quick, practical tool you can adapt to your workplace for spotting hazards early and keeping paths, entrances, and indoor areas safe during cold and icy weather.
Slips, Trips and Falls Training
Preventing slips, trips and falls in winter requires a clear understanding of workplace risks and how to control them. Our IOSH Approved, CPD Certified Slips, Trips and Falls Training provides practical guidance to help employees identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective control measures to reduce incidents during icy, wet, and low-light conditions.
Slips, Trips and Falls Training can be tailored to your organisation and delivered online, virtually, or face-to-face at a venue of your choice.
Find out more on our website or contact our friendly team today on 0203 011 4242 / info@praxis42.com
Adam Clarke
Managing Director (Consulting)
