Self-Inspection of Walking and Working Surfaces

Slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for walking and working surfaces apply to all permanent places of employment, except where only domestic, mining or agricultural work is performed.

This self-inspection checklist, derived from OSHA guidance, can be used by supervisors to create a safer work environment.

• Is a documented, functioning housekeeping program in place?
• Are all work areas clean, sanitary and orderly?
• Are work surfaces kept dry or are means taken to assure the surfaces are slip-resistant?
• Are all spilled materials or liquids cleaned up immediately and according to proper procedures?

• Are aisles and passageways kept clear?
• Are aisles and walkways marked as appropriate?
• Are wet surfaces covered with non-slip materials?
• Are holes in the floor or walking surface repaired properly, covered or otherwise made safe?
• Is there safe clearance in aisles where mechanical handling equipment is operating?
• Are materials/equipment stored so that sharp objects will not interfere with the walkway?
• Are changes of direction or elevation readily identifiable?
• Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving or operating machinery, welding operations or similar operations arranged so employees will not be subjected to potential hazards?
• Is adequate headroom provided for the entire length of any aisle or walkway?
• Are standard guardrails provided wherever aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more than 30 in (76.2 cm) above any adjacent floor or the ground?
• Are bridges provided over conveyors and similar hazards?

• Are there standard stair rails or handrails on all stairways having four or more risers?
• Are all stairways at least 22 in (55.9 cm) wide?
• Are step risers on stairs uniform from top to bottom?
• Are steps on stairs designed or provided with a surface that renders them slip resistant?
• Are stairway handrails located between 30 in and 34 in (76.2 cm and 86.4 cm) above the leading edge of stair treads?
• Do stairway handrails have at least 3 in (7.6 cm) of clearance between the handrails and the wall or surface they are mounted on?
• Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, is there a platform provided so the swing of the door does not reduce the width of the platform to less than 21 inches?
• Where stairs exit directly into any area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees stepping into the path of traffic?

• Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing the elevated surface load capacity?
• Are surfaces higher than 30 in (76.2 cm) above the floor provided with standard guardrails?
• Are all elevated surfaces (beneath which people or machinery could be exposed to falling objects) provided with standard 4-in (10.2-cm) toeboards?
• Is a permanent means of access/egress provided to elevated storage and work surfaces?
• Is required headroom provided, where necessary?
• Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked or racked in a manner to prevent it from tipping, falling, collapsing, rolling or spreading?
• Are bridge plates used when transferring materials between docks and trucks or rail cars?

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