Trip and fall down hotel stairs causing serious wrist injury
- Safety Flash
- Published on 23 June 2020
- Generated on 17 November 2025
- IMCA SF 19/20
- 2 minute read
What happened?
Whilst engaged in business travel, an employee of one of our Members slipped and fell when descending a hotel staircase.
He sustained multiple fractures and dislocation of the left wrist.
He used his left hand to try to ‘break’ the fall which incurred serious impact injuries.
The injured person reported to the company office the following morning before being transferred to hospital where an x-ray confirmed the extent of the injury, which required surgery.
What were the causes? What went wrong?
During the interview about the incident it was confirmed that the injured person had been using his mobile phone while going down the stairs and was not holding the staircase handrail.
What actions were taken?
- Do NOT use your mobile phone when walking up or down stairs!
- Keep your eyes on what you are doing, maintain three points of contact wherever possible when going down the stairs.
- Always hold the handrail, when ascending or descending stairs.
- Stay alert to your environmental surroundings and adopt good hazard awareness, even when not in the workplace.
Members may wish to refer to:
- IMCA “Are you prepared” video Preventing slips and trips
- IMCA poster Take care on the stairs
- IMCA video HSS038 Mooring incidents
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 31/17
15 December 2017
-
-
IMCA SF 20/15
3 December 2015
-
IMCA SF 04/10
14 July 2010
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.