Behaviour & training to prevent slips

Last Updated on October 9, 2025 by admin

People factors: training, footwear & guest comms to prevent slips

 As all falls involve an individual, it is likely that the environment (i.e. your property) and the action the individual was taking, is the cause of the slip. This blog looks at steps you, as a holiday let owner can take, to reduce the risk of guests and employees slipping on your flooring.

How to conduct cleaner training for wet floors

Cleaners must be taught to place clear “Wet Floor” signs before starting, and to mop in sections, working toward the exit to avoid stepping on wet surfaces. Correct use of cleaning products, including proper dilution, helps reduce risks of residue or damage. Emphasis on regularly changing dirty water and allowing adequate drying time ensures both safety and hygiene. Ongoing supervision and refresher training reinforce safe, consistent practices in everyday cleaning tasks.

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When to cordon areas during cleaning

Areas should be cordoned off during cleaning whenever floors are wet, slippery, or obstructed by equipment to prevent slips, trips, and accidents. This includes mopping, polishing, or spill clean-ups. Barriers or clear signage should be placed before work begins and remain until surfaces are fully dry and safe to walk on. Cordoning off the area only protects guests and employees and also allows cleaners to work efficiently without unnecessary interruptions or hazards.

Footwear policy for staff

A good footwear policy for your holiday let employees must prioritise safety, comfort, and professionalism. Employees should wear closed-toe, slip-resistant shoes to reduce accident risks, especially on wet or uneven surfaces. Footwear must be supportive for long periods of standing, easy to clean, and appropriate for both indoor and outdoor tasks.

Slip-resistant footwear guidance

Slip-resistant footwear is designed to reduce the risk of falls by providing extra grip on wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. These shoes feature specially engineered rubber soles with tread patterns that channel liquids away, improving traction.

Training cleaners to manage contamination

Cleaners should be taught the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks, to protect themselves and others. Colour-coded cleaning equipment must be introduced to separate high-risk areas, like bathrooms and kitchens, reducing cross-contamination. Cleaners should learn safe handling, dilution, and storage of cleaning chemicals, alongside correct waste disposal methods. Emphasis on hand hygiene before and after tasks is vital.

Guest safety messaging in holiday lets

Guest safety messaging should be clear, welcoming, and easy to follow. Information should highlight key points such as fire safety procedures, emergency contact numbers, and safe use of appliances. Remember, signage and written guides need to be concise, avoiding overwhelming detail while ensuring essential instructions are visible. Safety reminders, like using handrails on stairs, securing doors, or taking care on wet surfaces can be incorporated naturally into guest handbooks or digital welcome packs. By blending reassurance with practical guidance, you can help guests feel confident, supported, and safe, while reducing the risk of accidents.

Wet areas: swimming pools and hot tubs

Knowing how to brief guests on wet areas (pools/hot tubs) is crucial in maintaining a safe environment.

• Highlight rules such as no running, supervising children, and avoiding glass near water
• Remind guests about depth markings, safe entry & exit points, and using handrails
• Explain any operating instructions, like hot tub covers or timers, and stress hygiene practices such as showering before use

It’s also helpful to point out emergency equipment locations and provide contact details for urgent help. Keeping the briefing short, clear, and easy to understand ensures guests enjoy these facilities safely while feeling confident and well looked after.

Use of signage

Using signs that carry a clear and simple message, with appropriate images, illustrations and even photographs where possible. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations detail requirements for safety signs.

• Position signs in an appropriate location so that they are visible, even when the area is busy, and make sure they clearly relate to the hazard being identified
• Remove wet floor signs as soon as is practical after cleaning, once the floor is dry
• Inspect and maintain signs to ensure they remain effective

Avoid only relying on signage as people could ignore them if they see them in place on a regular basis. Cordoning off areas can help reinforce the signal that the area is being cleaned, is wet, and therefore, a hazard.

Good practice

Review how people access and use premises (including how they behave whilst they are there) to identify slip and trip hazards or any additional precautions that may be needed. This should consider all users of the premises (e.g. staff, students, volunteers, contractors, members of the public etc.), with a particular focus on the most vulnerable to ensure that they are able to access the premises and use them safely. Remember: always put safety first.

To discuss Home Insurance for your holiday home, cottage complex or second home, contact us today.

Call: 01237 429 444

Request a Quote: boshers.co.uk/get-your-quote/

This guidance is provided for information purposes and is general and educational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. You are free to choose whether or not to use it and it should not be considered a substitute for seeking professional help in specific circumstances.

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