Why this is on Thermoplastic Markings
Slips and trips are one of the most common causes of workplace and public-site incidents, and they often show up in the same places where you're already managing surfaces and access: entrances, ramps, steps, walkways, yards and busy transition zones. This hub exists to support a practical workflow—identify risk, document it clearly, and then specify controls that reduce that risk in the real world.
Thermoplastic Markings focuses on standards-led guidance for durable markings and surfaces. Anti-slip surfacing is a natural adjacent control when a risk assessment highlights low traction, wet exposure, or contamination. These pages help you translate a risk assessment into a clearer scope for improvement works, so you can request comparable quotes and deliver safer outcomes with less disruption.
If you're here because you need controls, start with anti-slip surfacing. If you're here to document risk, use the template and checklist pages below, then link your findings to the most relevant control measures.
Templates and checklists
Use these pages to document hazards, record controls and plan improvements for specific environments.
Slips & Trips Checklist
Fast walk-through checklist for entrances, steps, ramps and walkways.
Risk Assessment Template
Copy/paste template with hazard ID, controls and action plan.
Schools & Education
Slips and trips guidance tailored to school sites and safeguarding.
Construction Sites
Construction-specific slips and trips risks, controls and CDM context.
Copy/paste risk assessment template
Site / area:
Assessor:
Date:
Review date:
Areas covered: (e.g., main entrance, external steps, ramp, corridor, walkway)
1) Hazard identification
List hazards found in the area (delete what doesn't apply):
- Wet floors / rainwater tracked in
- Spillages (food/drink/cleaning fluids)
- Algae/moss/leaf debris outdoors
- Mud/grit tracked in
- Uneven surfaces / broken paving
- Loose mats / curled edges
- Trailing cables
- Poor lighting / glare
- Poor housekeeping / obstacles
- Steps: worn edges, poor edge definition, inconsistent risers
- Ramps: slippery surface, poor drainage, steep gradient
- Inadequate cleaning method/frequency for the environment
2) Who might be harmed and how?
- Staff
- Visitors / public
- Children / pupils
- Contractors / delivery personnel
- People with reduced mobility
- Older people
Describe harm: slips, trips, falls, fractures, head injuries, sprains.
3) What are you already doing to control the risks?
- Cleaning regime in place (frequency + method)
- Wet floor signage and barriers used when needed
- Entrance matting and water management
- Good lighting and maintenance checks
- Housekeeping checks (remove obstacles)
- Routine inspections and defect reporting system
- Gritting plan in icy conditions
- Handrails present on steps where appropriate
- Defined pedestrian routes / segregation
4) What further action is needed?
- Improve drainage / fix ponding
- Adjust cleaning method/frequency for contamination level
- Replace/secure mats and edges
- Repair uneven paving / defective steps
- Improve lighting
- Add/remove trip hazards (cables/obstacles)
- Improve grip on high-risk zones (steps, ramps, entrances, shaded walkways)
- Add clearer route definition / signage
- Add inspection frequency (daily/weekly/monthly) for high-risk zones
5) Who will do it and by when?
Action owner:
Target completion date:
Interim controls until completed:
6) Record and review
Record significant findings and review after:
- an incident/near miss
- changes to the environment (weather, resurfacing, building works)
- changes to cleaning/footfall
- a scheduled review date (HSE)
Hazard checklist (fast walk-through)
Entrances and thresholds
- Water tracked in? Puddling just outside doors?
- Adequate matting and maintenance?
- Grit/mud build-up in wet weather?
- Queue bottlenecks where people pivot?
Related: Anti-slip school entrances →
Steps and landings
- Worn step edges?
- Poor edge definition?
- Slippery contaminants present?
- Handrails present and secure?
- Lighting adequate on approach and landing?
Related: Anti-slip stair nosing →
Ramps and sloped routes
- Water films persist?
- Algae in shade?
- Steepest section clearly identified?
- Turning points and landings high wear?
- Step-free access must remain open (phasing needed)?
Related: Anti-slip ramp surfacing →
Walkways and outdoor paths
- Shaded damp zones?
- Leaf debris and algae?
- Uneven paving or edges?
- Gritting plan in winter?
- Cleaning access constraints?
Related: Anti-slip walkway surfacing →
When to use a more detailed slips assessment tool
If slip resistance of flooring/surfaces is a specific issue, HSE provides the Slips Assessment Tool (SAT) as a resource (note: it's free but no longer supported by HSE technology). (HSE)
How to turn your risk assessment into a quote-ready scope
If your "further action" includes improving grip on steps, ramps, entrances or walkways, you'll get faster, more comparable quotes if you provide:
- marked-up photos showing the exact zones
- surface type and condition notes
- access windows (day/night/weekend/holiday)
- whether routes must remain open (phasing)
- any safeguarding/public access controls