What preventive measures can be adopted to limit the risk of same-level falls in the agri-food sector?

In the agri-food industry, employee safety is a constant priority. Among the most frequent occupational risks, same-level falls are a serious concern. Often perceived as harmless, they are nevertheless the second leading cause of workplace accidents involving at least 4 days off work, with more than 100,000 cases recorded every year in France according to INRS.

Slippery floors, clutter, and inadequate lighting are all factors that make these accidents particularly common in this sector. In this article, Shoes For Crews reviews ways to identify these specific hazards and the targeted preventive measures to adopt in order to effectively limit their occurrence. 

Identify the specific causes of same-level falls in the agri-food industry

The agri-food sector presents particular working conditions that make same-level falls common. Unlike other industrial environments, it involves the handling of perishable goods, wet processes, and frequent movement through hazardous areas. These specific features encourage situations conducive to falls, often in areas where people assume the danger is under control.

Same-level falls, which accounted for 11 % of all workplace accidents in 2021, occur without a change in level, generally when the foot slips or catches on an obstacle. In agri-food factories, this may result from poor organization of the workspace, maintenance neglect, or equipment that is insufficiently adapted to on-site conditions. These incidents have serious consequences : prolonged absences, disruption to production, and sometimes lasting physical after-effects.

The most frequent risk factors include the following :

• Wet or greasy floors caused by leaks, frequent washing, or organic materials
• Food waste on the floor (peelings, packaging, etc.)
• Worn or poorly secured mats or floor coverings
• Insufficient cleaning or regular maintenance
• Unmarked obstacles (cables, cartons, bins)
• Poor layout of traffic areas

Specific environment: the areas at greatest risk

In an agri-food factory, not all areas are exposed to the same extent. Certain parts of the site present greater hazards, either because of the nature of the operations carried out there or because of personnel and material flows.

• Receiving and storage areas, often cluttered and heavily used
• Wet production areas (fish, meat, and dairy processing)
• Cold rooms : condensation, poor visibility, and slippery floors
• Narrow or poorly lit corridors
• Washing rooms or machine-cleaning areas

These areas often combine several aggravating factors : moisture, frequent passage, mobile equipment, or constant cleaning, making risk identification even more critical.

Implement an effective prevention strategy

Reducing the risk of same-level falls in the agri-food sector requires a comprehensive and structured approach. It is not enough to intervene occasionally after an incident ; hazards must be anticipated, teams involved, and a genuine prevention culture established. Five areas of action should be developed to sustainably reduce employees’ exposure to this risk.

1. Identify risk areas and assess priorities

First and foremost, it is essential to precisely identify the company’s most sensitive areas. This assessment involves regular safety audits and analysis of feedback from the field, particularly through incident reports or observations made by workers. Areas with heavy traffic or difficult conditions require special attention. It is also essential to keep the Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP) up to date, in order to ensure that procedures are traceable and action plans can be adapted to changes in facilities and processes.

2. Improve infrastructure and the working environment

A significant proportion of same-level falls is linked to the condition of the infrastructure. Targeted investment can prevent many incidents. Installing slip-resistant flooring in high-risk areas, using enhanced lighting in corridors or around workstations, and implementing an optimized layout to prevent clutter are simple yet highly effective measures. It is also important to ensure regular floor maintenance : repairing damaged surfaces, eliminating irregularities, and maintaining constant cleanliness help limit slips and trips.

3. Establish a training and awareness policy

Even in a well-designed environment, human factors remain decisive. This is why employee training is an essential lever. Workers must be informed about the specific risks associated with their environment, know the right behaviors to adopt, and be able to identify dangerous situations. Regular reminders through safety briefings, signage in sensitive areas, or awareness sessions are particularly useful.

4. Adopt a continuous improvement approach

Any prevention strategy must be part of a continuous improvement process. This means not limiting efforts to corrective actions, but tracking reliable indicators to adjust practices. Every incident, even a minor one, should be analyzed to identify the root causes and draw lessons from it. Implementing regular checks, performance indicators for safety, and working groups involving employees promotes greater responsiveness. Integrating prevention into teams’ daily routines leads to the development of a collective reflex and constant vigilance.

5. Use suitable equipment

Personal protective equipment plays a decisive role in preventing same-level falls. Wearing safety shoes with slip-resistant soles is essential in wet or greasy areas. This equipment must be selected according to the facility’s specific floors : tile, smooth concrete, resin flooring, or stainless steel. In addition, installing anti-slip mats in areas with heavy foot traffic or at entrances helps considerably reduce risks, particularly during cleaning periods or in poor weather conditions. Finally, it is important to regularly check the condition of this equipment and replace anything showing signs of wear.

These measures for limiting the risk of same-level falls in the agri-food industry are designed to protect workers throughout their working day. As we have seen, one of the first steps in prevention is to provide your teams with suitable safety shoes. We invite you to discover our selection of comfortable and durable shoes for the agri-food sector, browse our catalogue, explore our models, or contact our Shoes For Crews experts, leaders in slip-resistant footwear since 1984, who can support you in making the best choice.