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Repair Trip Hazards

Uneven walking surfaces create serious safety risks in commercial and industrial settings. Sudden elevation changes between concrete slabs or panels are common sources of trips, falls, and injuries—especially in areas with foot traffic, carts, or mobility equipment. Trip hazard repair restores level walking surfaces using polyurethane injection. The process stabilizes slabs and eliminates dangerous height variations with minimal site disruption.

A digital level placed on cracked concrete shows the surface is uneven, with greenery in the background.

What Is Trip Hazard Repair?

Trip hazard repair is a fast, non-destructive solution for eliminating uneven slab joints and surface offsets. These hazards typically occur when concrete panels settle or shift due to poor subgrade conditions, erosion, or seasonal movement.

Using expanding polyurethane injection, slabs are gently lifted and leveled to eliminate the risk of trips or falls. The method meets national and provincial safety regulations governing floor surfaces in workplaces and commercial environments.

Where Might Trip Hazard Repair Be Needed?

A forklift moves boxes near shelves in a fenced warehouse area on a floating section of ground.
  • Building entrances and walkways
  • Interior corridors and thresholds
  • Warehouse access routes
  • Parking lot pedestrian zones
  • Loading areas and ramps
  • Public transit platforms
  • Curb and ramp transitions

We Recommend Trip Hazard Repair If You See:

Person in a yellow safety vest measures distance on a paved path with a tape measure outdoors.
  • Vertical separation between concrete slabs
  • Slabs that shift or rock under pressure
  • Complaints or incident reports from pedestrians
  • Scuffed or cracked joints near transitions
  • Evidence of erosion near slab edges
  • Damage from freeze-thaw cycling
  • Ponding water at seams or joints
  • Premature wear on forklift or dolly paths

Is Trip Hazard Repair Really Needed?

A cracked, raised sidewalk marked with red and white caution tape in a residential area.

Yes. Workplace safety regulations in Canada—such as those under the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR)—require walking surfaces to be free from defects that may cause slips, trips, or falls. Sudden changes in elevation or rocking slabs can expose property owners to liability and injury claims.

Polyurethane injection provides a fast, reliable way to eliminate those hazards while preserving existing concrete and minimizing operational impact. It’s a highly effective solution for companies looking to reduce risk and maintain a safe facility.

What Are the Advantages of Trip Hazard Repair?

A practical fix for commercial environments.

Improves Workplace Safety: Eliminates one of the most common causes of injuries—uneven walking surfaces.

Fast and Efficient: Crews can complete repairs in hours without shutting down large areas.

Non-Destructive Approach: No need for demolition or full slab replacement.

Long-Lasting Results: Polyurethane stays in place and resists settlement.

Minimal Disruption: Work is low-noise, low-dust, and often completed during off-peak hours.

Common Problem Areas

  • Entry slabs and door thresholds
  • Sidewalk panel seams
  • Forklift travel lanes
  • Barrier-free access routes
  • Ramps and landings
  • Office walkway transitions

Eliminate Trip Hazards Quickly with Groundworks’ Concrete Leveling Solutions.

How Does Trip Hazard Repair Work?

Simple, clean, and effective process.

  • Identify and inspect uneven slab areas
  • Drill small-diameter access ports
  • Inject expanding polyurethane beneath low or unsupported slabs
  • Monitor real-time lift to bring surfaces flush
  • Remove equipment and patch injection points
  • Verify final elevation and surface stability

Why This Is the Best Choice

A digital level placed on cracked concrete shows the surface is uneven, with greenery in the background.
  • Complies with Canadian workplace safety standards
  • Avoids costly injury claims or shutdowns
  • No full concrete tear-out or reconstruction
  • Compatible with commercial buildings, warehouses, and institutions
  • Excellent for preventive maintenance
  • Works year-round with minimal weather delay
  • Scalable from single panels to entire walkways
  • Proven effective across Canadian commercial sites

Contact Groundworks for Trip Hazard Repair

Trip hazards are more than just a nuisance—they’re a workplace safety issue and a liability. Groundworks uses polyurethane injection to restore level surfaces and keep your property safe, compliant, and operational. Contact us today for a free site evaluation.

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FAQs

Typically, any vertical change over 13 mm (about ½ inch) between slabs is considered a hazard under safety guidelines.

Yes. The material is non-toxic and the process is low-noise and low-impact, making it suitable for active commercial sites.

Most projects are completed in a matter of hours, with minimal staging and quick cleanup.

Yes. Polyurethane remains stable in Canadian climates and resists moisture intrusion and soil movement.

Yes. The injection fills voids and stabilizes the subgrade, helping prevent further settlement or rocking.

Disclaimer / Terminology

Trip Hazard: A vertical change between walking surfaces that may cause someone to trip.

Polyurethane Injection: A repair method that lifts and stabilizes concrete by injecting expanding foam beneath the slab.

Subgrade: The soil or fill material that supports the concrete slab.

Surface Offset: A vertical gap between adjoining concrete panels.

Settlement: Downward movement of a slab due to soil loss or compaction.

Barrier-Free Access: A travel route that complies with Canadian accessibility and safety standards (e.g., CSA B651, ACA).