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Trip and Fall Hazards in Shops

Falls are among the most common injuries in any workplace, and farm shops are full of things to trip over. Most are cheap to fix.

Where do shop falls come from?

Typical causes are cords and hoses across walkways, tools left on the floor, wet or oily concrete, uneven floors, thresholds, steps with no handrail, poor light and ladders used the wrong way. Mud, snow and manure tracked in from outside add to the mix.

Walk the shop with fresh eyes and look at the floor at the places where people walk, carry loads and turn. Anywhere you have almost tripped is worth a second look.

How do I handle cords and hoses?

Route them along walls, overhead or in a protective cover where they must cross a path. Use reels and hooks and put cords away after use. Avoid taping loose cords to the floor as a permanent fix, since that hides damage. If you always need a cord there, ask an electrician about a permanent outlet.

Keep air hoses and welding leads out of walkways and coil them after each job.

Mark the places where cords must cross with bright tape or covers so people see them, and check them each week, since covers wear out and slide.

• Hang cords and hoses off the floor.
• Use covers where crossing is unavoidable.
• Add outlets instead of long cords.
• Put things away when the job is done.

What about wet and slick floors?

Concrete gets slippery with water, oil and dust. Clean spills right away, and use mats or a non-slip surface where water is common. Footwear matters too. Soles in good condition with grip suited to the floor help. A trained safety professional or extension agent can advise on what suits your shop.

Place a wet floor sign if a spill is being cleaned, and keep people out until it is dry.

Snow, ice and mud need their own plan. Put a mat or scraper at the door, and sweep the entrance often so that water and mud do not move through the shop.

How should I treat steps, thresholds and uneven floors?

Mark edges, add contrast paint where appropriate and fix cracked concrete and sagging boards. Handrails on stairs and loading platforms help. Keep steps free of storage. A threshold that you stub your toe on daily should be fixed, not accepted.

Check the code or official guidance for stair and railing requirements, since they vary by building type and jurisdiction.

A good handrail is one that you can grip. Make sure it is sturdy, fixed at both ends and reachable, and check it for loose fasteners.

How do I use ladders safely?

Ladders cause many serious falls. Choose a ladder suited to the job and the load, inspect it every time and set it up on firm, level ground as the manufacturer's label directs. Face the ladder when climbing and keep three points of contact. Do not stand on the top steps, and do not overreach.

The ladder label and OSHA resources give details on use, and a hands-on class is worth it for anyone who climbs often.

Keep ladders clean of oil and mud, store them where they cannot be damaged and discard those with bent rails, loose rungs or missing feet. Never use a damaged ladder.

How do lighting and footwear help?

You cannot avoid what you cannot see, so light up steps, entrances and walkways. Keep the floor clear of shadows. Choose footwear suited to the work, with good soles and ankle support, and replace worn pairs.

Avoid carrying loads that block your view of the floor, and take smaller loads or get help.

Boots that are loose, old or caked with mud lower grip. Keep a clean pair for shop use if you can, and wipe boots before entering.

What if someone falls?

If a person hits their head, cannot move normally, has severe pain or is bleeding heavily, call 911 and do not move them unless there is immediate danger. Stay with them. First aid training from the Red Cross prepares you to help until responders arrive.

Afterward, find the cause and fix it, so the next person does not fall in the same place.

Report near-misses and trips. Each one is a clue to a hazard, and fixing it for the price of a hook or a mat is a bargain.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.