Facilities & Property checklist
Slip, Trip, and Fall Inspection Checklist
Inspect slip, trip, and fall risk across floors and housekeeping, entrances and wet-weather controls, stairs and ramps, floor openings and covers, ladders, elevated edges, temporary work zones, lighting and pedestrian routes, external surfaces, immediate controls, corrective actions, reinspection, and recurring hazard trends.
Are walking surfaces, entrances, stairs, openings, ladders, elevated edges, temporary work zones, and external pedestrian routes free from an uncontrolled slip, trip, or fall hazard?
Facilities Lead | Guard or reroute immediately | Repair and verify before closure
Select an answer to preview the workflow.
About this checklist
What a slip, trip, and fall inspection checklist should help you verify
Verify walking routes are clean, dry where feasible, level and unobstructed, stairs and rails are serviceable, holes and elevated edges are protected, ladders are safe, and temporary or weather-related hazards are controlled before someone is exposed.
When
Weekly or monthly inspections, wet-weather periods, after incidents, during renovation, and whenever pedestrian routes change
Use it for recurring rounds, after slips or near misses, during rainy or icy conditions, after floor damage or leaks, during construction and deliveries, or whenever access routes, ladders, or elevated work change.
Who
Facilities, housekeeping, maintenance, safety, security, operations, property management, and contractors
Facilities and property teams, housekeeping, maintenance, safety or EHS, security, operations, employee-area owners, and contractor supervisors can inspect applicable areas and own corrective actions.
Outcome
A traceable fall-prevention record with immediate hazard control, repair ownership, and verified closure
Create one evidence trail for floors, entrances, stairs, openings, ladders, elevated edges, exterior paths, temporary obstructions, immediate controls, corrective work, reinspection, and recurring trends.
Complete slip, trip, and fall inspection
60 checks across risk scope, floors and housekeeping, entrances and wet-weather controls, stairs and ramps, floor holes and covers, ladders, elevated surfaces and edges, lighting and temporary routes, external paths, immediate controls, corrective actions, reinspection, and sign-off
Ten sections, sixty checks. Adapt the checklist to facility layout, pedestrian traffic, weather exposure, applicable OSHA or local walking-working-surface requirements, fall-protection programme, ladder rules, housekeeping standards, maintenance procedures, public or occupant interfaces, and specialist repair needs.
Section 1Inspection scope, risk areas, recent incidents, responsible persons, and open corrective actions
- Confirm the property, building, floor or zone, inspection date, operating status, and slip-trip-and-fall inspection scope are clearly identified.
- Identify higher-risk locations such as entrances, washrooms, kitchens, loading areas, stairs, ramps, plant rooms, roofs, parking areas, external paths, and wet-process zones where applicable.
- Review recent slip, trip, or fall incidents, near misses, worker or occupant complaints, recurring leak reports, housekeeping issues, and previous inspection findings.
- Confirm responsibilities are defined for facilities, housekeeping, maintenance, security, operations, safety, property management, and contractors.
- Check whether weather, construction, deliveries, temporary cables or hoses, floor repairs, new equipment, layout changes, or contractor activity have introduced new fall hazards.
- Record property, inspection area, inspection date, inspector, facilities owner, safety owner, critical open hazards, and next planned inspection date.
Section 3Entrances, lobbies, wet-weather control, floor mats, thresholds, transitions, drainage, and tracked-in moisture
- Inspect entrances, vestibules, reception areas, revolving or automatic-door zones, and lobby floors for water, debris, unstable mats, or other slip/trip conditions.
- Check entrance mats and runners lie flat, are secured against movement or curling, provide suitable coverage, and do not create raised-edge trip hazards.
- Verify wet-weather controls such as additional mats, drying, warning signs, drainage, canopies, housekeeping response, or increased inspection are used when conditions require them.
- Inspect thresholds, door tracks, expansion joints, transition strips, ramps, floor-level changes, and floor finishes at entrances for damage or abrupt height changes.
- Check external drainage, gutters, canopies, door seals, floor drains, and entrance design are not directing or retaining water on primary walking routes.
- Escalate uncontrolled tracked-in moisture, repeated entrance pooling, unstable mats, damaged thresholds, or recurring slip incidents requiring design or maintenance correction.
Section 5Floor holes, pits, hatches, openings, covers, gratings, skylight interfaces, and edge protection
- Inspect floor holes, pits, service openings, access hatches, floor boxes, trenches, sumps, shafts, skylight interfaces, and temporary openings included in the area.
- Confirm covers are present where required, fit correctly, are secured against accidental displacement, and show no obvious structural damage or instability.
- Check gratings, trench covers, access panels, floor plates, and removable covers sit level, are secured, and do not create gaps, rocking surfaces, or sharp height transitions.
- Inspect guardrails, gates, chains, barriers, or other protection around open pits, hatches, ladder openings, elevated openings, and exposed edges where applicable.
- Verify temporarily opened floors, pits, trenches, service hatches, or maintenance openings are continuously controlled while work is in progress.
- Escalate uncovered holes, displaced or damaged covers, unstable gratings, open pits, missing edge protection, or other conditions exposing people to a fall through an opening.
Section 7Elevated walking surfaces, mezzanines, platforms, roofs, loading edges, docks, and fall-protection controls
- Inspect mezzanines, platforms, balconies, elevated walkways, loading docks, roof areas, service platforms, and other elevated walking-working surfaces included in scope.
- Check unprotected sides and edges have the required guardrail, travel-restraint, personal fall-arrest, or other applicable protection under the site's fall-protection programme.
- Inspect guardrails, gates, chains, toe boards, screens, parapets, warning lines, anchors, and other fall- or falling-object protection for visible condition where applicable.
- Confirm roof hatches, ladder access points, mezzanine gates, hoist areas, loading edges, dock openings, and maintenance platforms are controlled when open or actively used.
- Check elevated work is not being performed from chairs, boxes, pallets, improvised platforms, unstable surfaces, or equipment not designed for personnel access.
- Escalate unprotected elevated edges, open gates, missing guardrails, unsafe roof access, improvised elevated work, or other conditions exposing people to a serious fall hazard.
Section 9External paths, sidewalks, parking areas, curbs, drainage, ramps, steps, weather, vegetation, and surface deterioration
- Inspect sidewalks, pedestrian paths, parking-area walkways, service yards, external stairs, ramps, curbs, crossings, and building approaches for surface defects.
- Check paving for cracks, potholes, settlement, loose pavers, raised edges, broken curbs, damaged covers, unstable gratings, erosion, or other trip hazards.
- Inspect drainage channels, gullies, catch basins, downpipe outlets, irrigation, roof discharge, and grading for pooling water or repeated wet walking routes.
- Check snow, ice, leaves, moss, algae, mud, sand, oil, debris, vegetation, roots, and other weather or environmental conditions that may reduce traction or obscure hazards.
- Inspect external handrails, guardrails, bollards, lighting, steps, ramps, tactile or route markings, and pedestrian barriers for visible damage or obstruction.
- Escalate major pavement defects, uncontrolled ice or pooling, unstable covers, failed external lighting, damaged rails, or other exterior conditions presenting significant fall risk.
Section 2Floors, passageways, housekeeping, spills, leaks, debris, cords, protrusions, and walking-surface condition
- Inspect workrooms, corridors, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and other walking-working surfaces for clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.
- Check floors for spills, leaks, standing water, oil, grease, food debris, dust, loose materials, packaging, waste, or other contamination that could reduce traction.
- Inspect for holes, broken tiles, loose boards, uneven flooring, raised edges, damaged transitions, curled flooring, protruding objects, corrosion, or other trip hazards.
- Check cords, hoses, temporary leads, mats, tools, carts, cleaning equipment, furniture, displays, and stored materials are not creating walking-route trip hazards.
- Verify hazardous walking-surface conditions are corrected promptly or guarded to prevent use until repair where immediate correction is not possible.
- Escalate severe slip or trip hazards, structural floor damage, uncontrolled leaks, deep openings, or walking surfaces that cannot be used safely.
Section 4Stairs, ramps, landings, handrails, stair rails, guardrails, tread condition, visibility, and access
- Inspect stair treads, risers, nosings, landings, intermediate platforms, ramps, and approach areas for damage, looseness, contamination, or uneven condition.
- Check handrails and stair rails are present where required, securely mounted, graspable, free of sharp or snagging surfaces, and not obstructed.
- Inspect guardrails, intermediate rails, barriers, and edge protection at elevated walking surfaces for obvious damage, looseness, missing components, or unsafe gaps.
- Check stair and ramp lighting, contrast, visibility, signage, floor markings, and line of sight are adequate for the facility and conditions.
- Confirm stairs and ramps are free from stored items, temporary cords, cleaning equipment, deliveries, door swing conflicts, or other obstruction.
- Escalate missing or unstable rails, broken treads, significant stair damage, unprotected edges, slippery ramps, or other conditions creating serious fall risk.
Section 6Ladders, step stools, mobile ladder stands, fixed ladders, inspection status, placement, and safe use
- Inspect portable ladders, step ladders, step stools, mobile ladder stands, and fixed ladders in use or available in the inspected area for visible defects.
- Check ladder rungs, steps, side rails, feet, spreaders, locks, wheels, platforms, handrails, and labels for damage, contamination, corrosion, looseness, or missing parts.
- Verify defective ladders are tagged or otherwise clearly removed from service until repaired in accordance with the applicable programme or replaced.
- Check ladders are used on stable surfaces, positioned to avoid unintended movement, protected from doors or traffic where necessary, and used only for their intended purpose.
- Confirm users face the ladder while climbing and do not carry an object or load that could cause loss of balance while ascending or descending.
- Escalate structurally damaged ladders, broken steps or rails, failed spreaders, unstable placement, improvised access, or unsafe ladder use presenting immediate fall risk.
Section 8Lighting, visibility, doors, corridors, cables, temporary work zones, deliveries, and pedestrian-route control
- Inspect lighting along corridors, stairs, ramps, entrances, plant routes, loading areas, external paths, and other pedestrian areas for failed or inadequate illumination.
- Check doors, door swings, automatic doors, service doors, loading doors, and access gates do not create unexpected collision or trip hazards in normal pedestrian routes.
- Inspect temporary cables, hoses, protective covers, construction materials, floor protection, barriers, cones, signs, and work-zone layouts for safe pedestrian routing.
- Check deliveries, carts, trolleys, pallets, stock, waste, cleaning operations, maintenance tools, and parked equipment do not obstruct or narrow required walking routes.
- Verify changes in floor level, low obstacles, transparent barriers, temporary ramps, wet cleaning, maintenance openings, and other unusual route conditions are conspicuous and controlled.
- Escalate dark walking routes, uncontrolled temporary work zones, unsafe cord crossings, obstructed pedestrian paths, or route changes that create immediate trip or fall risk.
Section 10Hazard classification, immediate controls, corrective actions, reinspection, recurring trends, and final sign-off
- Classify each finding by housekeeping, spill or leak, floor defect, entrance, stair or ramp, opening or cover, ladder, elevated edge, temporary obstruction, exterior surface, or other approved category.
- Prioritize findings using likelihood of contact, potential fall height, severity of injury, pedestrian volume, recurrence, weather exposure, visibility, and repair urgency.
- Apply immediate controls such as cleanup, drying, guarding, barricading, rerouting, removing defective equipment, closing access, or restricting the area until the hazard is corrected.
- Create corrective actions with named owners, due dates, required evidence, repair or design scope, escalation path, and reinspection criteria.
- Review repeat slips, trips, falls, recurring wet areas, repeated floor damage, repeated ladder defects, or recurring obstructions for systemic causes rather than repeated local fixes.
- Record final inspection status, critical open hazards, restricted routes or areas, overdue actions, repeat trends, next inspection date, inspector, facilities owner, safety owner, and management approval.
Take it with you
Download the printable PDF to inspect pedestrian routes consistently, capture live hazard evidence, apply immediate guarding or rerouting, and connect housekeeping, floor repair, drainage, ladder, rail, lighting, exterior-surface, and fall-protection actions to accountable owners.
Use the complete checklist during your next slip, trip, and fall inspection
This internal Facilities & Property template supports slip, trip, and fall prevention. Apply the facility's walking-working-surface and fall-protection programme, applicable OSHA or local requirements, ladder procedures, housekeeping standards, maintenance rules, weather controls, and qualified repair requirements.How to use it
Turn fall-prevention inspections into a controlled identify-to-correct workflow
Review incident and hazard history, walk the actual pedestrian and elevated routes, control critical exposure immediately, then assign corrective work and verify the condition in the field before closure.
Review routes and recent hazards
Confirm inspection scope, incidents, recurring wet areas, damaged floors, weather conditions, ladder use, temporary work, elevated access, open actions, and responsibility.
Inspect actual walking and access conditions
Check floors, entrances, stairs, ramps, openings, covers, ladders, elevated edges, lighting, temporary routes, parking areas, sidewalks, drainage, and weather exposure.
Control exposure and assign corrective work
Clean, dry, guard, barricade, reroute, close access, remove defective ladders, repair surfaces, improve drainage, restore rails, or apply fall protection as required.
Reinspect and verify closure
Confirm significant hazards are corrected in the field, temporary controls are removed appropriately, repeat locations are trended, and final status is approved.
Live interactive demo
See how slip, trip, and fall inspections work when they are run in Taqtics
Use the digital workflow to capture live walking-surface and fall hazards, flag critical exposure, assign immediate and corrective actions, verify repairs, and compare recurring slip-trip-fall risk across properties.
Capture property, location, hazard category, live photo, severity, immediate control, owner, due date, corrective action, reinspection, and closure history together.
Turn spills, leaks, damaged floors, unstable mats, stair defects, open holes, unsafe ladders, unprotected edges, poor lighting, or exterior-surface damage into accountable action.
Track recurring wet areas, floor defects, ladder failures, stair issues, exterior hazards, action aging, restricted routes, repeat incidents, and verified closure across properties.
Illustrative website demo. Responses are not stored or submitted.
Why digitize it
A clearer way to manage slip, trip, and fall risk across every property
Taqtics connects recurring fall-prevention inspections, live hazard evidence, immediate controls, corrective work, reinspection, repeat-location trends, owner accountability, and reporting across properties.
Inspect pedestrian routes consistently
Capture property, location, hazard type, photo, severity, immediate control, owner, due date, corrective action, and inspection history together.
Standardize fall-hazard evidence
Use consistent fields for spills, floor defects, mats, stairs, rails, openings, ladders, elevated edges, temporary routes, exterior conditions, severity, and closure.
Route action to the right owner
Assign housekeeping, maintenance, facilities, roofing, drainage, flooring, electrical, contractor, safety, or specialist repair without losing the original hazard evidence.
Compare fall risk across properties
Track recurring wet zones, trip hazards, stair defects, ladder issues, open edges, exterior deterioration, overdue actions, repeat incidents, and verified improvement across the portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
Slip, trip, and fall inspection checklist FAQs
What should a slip, trip, and fall inspection checklist cover?
It should cover floors and housekeeping, spills and leaks, entrances and wet-weather controls, mats and thresholds, stairs and ramps, handrails and guardrails, floor holes and covers, ladders, elevated surfaces and edges, lighting, temporary work zones, exterior paths, weather conditions, immediate controls, corrective actions, reinspection, and final sign-off.
What does OSHA require for walking-working surfaces?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 requires covered walking-working surfaces to be kept clean, orderly, and sanitary, maintained free of hazards such as leaks, spills, loose materials, corrosion, snow, and ice, inspected regularly and as necessary, and hazardous conditions corrected or guarded until repaired.
When is fall protection generally required under OSHA for unprotected edges?
For general industry under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.28, employees on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet or more above a lower level generally must be protected from falling, subject to the specific provisions and exceptions in the standard.
What should be checked on floor holes and covers?
OSHA 1910.28 addresses protection from falls through holes, and 1910.29 requires covers used for holes to support at least twice the maximum intended load and be secured against accidental displacement.
What does OSHA require for ladder inspection?
OSHA 1910.23 requires ladders to be inspected before initial use in each work shift and more frequently as necessary. Ladders with structural or other defects must be tagged or otherwise removed from service until repaired or replaced.
Does this checklist replace a formal fall-protection assessment?
No. It is an internal Facilities & Property inspection template. Adapt it to actual fall exposures, applicable OSHA or local requirements, the facility fall-protection programme, ladder rules, engineering controls, public-access needs, and qualified specialist advice.
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