As the days shorten and the weather turns, the picturesque scenes of autumn and winter bring with them a heightened risk of slips, trips, and falls. For businesses and property managers, this seasonal shift demands increased vigilance to ensure the safety of employees, customers, and the public. With slips and trips already accounting for a significant portion of workplace injuries, the added hazards of wet leaves, ice, and persistent rain can create a perfect storm for accidents.

The Hidden Dangers of the Season

The transition from autumn to winter introduces several environmental factors that can dramatically reduce the slip resistance of walking surfaces. Understanding these risks is the first step toward effective prevention.

Wet Leaves: Fallen leaves, especially when wet, can create a dangerously slick surface, obscuring the underlying pavement and hiding potential trip hazards like potholes or uneven paving. This seemingly minor issue can lead to serious incidents, making regular clearing of pathways essential.

Ice and Frost: As temperatures drop, ice and frost can form on outdoor surfaces, often appearing with little warning. Outdoors areas that are shaded or receive little foot traffic are particularly susceptible. But Indoors salt, grit and liquid can all be walked in on shoes and wheels.

Increased Rainfall: Autumn and winter are typically the wettest seasons in the UK. Rainwater not only makes outdoor surfaces more slippery but is also easily tracked indoors, creating hazardous conditions in entranceways and reception areas if not managed correctly.

Proactive Measures for a Safer Season

Preventing seasonal slips is not just about reacting to the weather; it’s about implementing a proactive safety strategy. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that a lack of proper planning and risk assessment is a common factor in slip and trip incidents.  Simple, consistent measures can make a significant difference in mitigating risk.

Beyond the Basics: The Importance of Testing

While these practical steps are essential, they don’t eliminate the need to understand the underlying safety of your flooring. A floor that appears safe can still be dangerously slippery under certain conditions. This is where professional slip testing becomes invaluable.

By measuring the slip resistance of your floors (known as the Pendulum Test Value or PTV), you can gain a clear, scientific understanding of your risk level. A PTV of 36 or above is considered low risk by the HSE, but even a small drop in this value can dramatically increase the likelihood of a slip.

This autumn and winter, don’t leave safety to chance. By combining proactive maintenance with professional floor testing, you can protect your staff and visitors, demonstrate due diligence, and ensure your premises remain safe and accessible, whatever the weather.