Apartment Slip and Fall Prevention and Premises Liability Annual Audit Checklist
This slip and fall prevention and premises liability annual audit checklist identifies and eliminates physical hazards that generate premises liability claims against residential property owners. Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of premises liability lawsuits, with average jury awards exceeding $50,000. A documented annual hazard audit combined with prompt defect correction demonstrates reasonable care — the primary legal standard for premises liability defense.
- Industry: Property Management
- Frequency: Annually / After Any Incident
- Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
- Role: Property Manager / Risk Manager
- Total Items: 28
- Compliance: ASTM F1637 Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, ANSI A1264.2 Slip Resistance on Walking Surfaces, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Means of Egress, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces
Walkways and Walking Surfaces
Inspect all pedestrian surfaces for defects and hazards.
- No concrete cracks or heaving creating trip hazards over 1/2 inch vertical displacement?
- Asphalt surfaces in good repair with no potholes or significant deterioration?
- All floor transition strips and threshold plates flush with no raised edges?
- All entry mats secured flat with no curled or raised edges?
- No areas where water pools on walking surfaces after rain?
- High-traffic exterior surfaces have slip-resistant texture, broom finish, or anti-slip coating?
Stairs and Handrails
Evaluate stair safety and handrail adequacy.
- Handrails on both sides of stairs with 4 or more risers in common areas?
- Handrails graspable with 1.25-2 inch round profile or equivalent graspable shape?
- All handrails secure with no wobble, loose connections, or missing sections?
- Stair nosings visible with contrasting color or non-slip strip?
- All stair risers uniform height with no irregular steps?
- Stair surfaces slip-resistant and in good repair with no loose or missing treads?
Lighting Adequacy
Verify adequate lighting for safe pedestrian movement.
- All exterior lighting operational with no burned-out fixtures?
- Parking lot illuminated to minimum 1 foot-candle throughout?
- Stairwells illuminated to minimum 10 foot-candles at all times?
- Pathway lighting continuous with no dark segments between fixtures?
- Motion-activated lights responding reliably without leaving areas dark?
Seasonal and Weather Hazards
Address weather conditions creating slip hazards.
- Written snow and ice removal protocol documented with trigger conditions and priority areas?
- Ice melt material stocked before winter season?
- Wet floor signs available at all building entrances for rain and snow conditions?
- Leaf and organic debris cleared from walking surfaces promptly (wet leaves are a slip hazard)?
- Gutters and downspouts directing water away from walking surfaces to prevent ice formation?
Incident Documentation and Response
Verify incident reporting and claims management process.
- Incident report forms available and staff trained to complete within 24 hours of any fall?
- Fall incident location photographed before any correction is made?
- Insurance carrier notified of all incidents within required reporting period?
- All physical defects repaired promptly with repair date and method documented?
- Annual premises liability audit report filed with insurance carrier and property records?
- All prior repair work for hazards photographed and dated in property records?
Related Property Management Checklists
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Related Safety Compliance Checklists
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Why Use This Apartment Slip and Fall Prevention and Premises Liability Annual Audit Checklist?
This apartment slip and fall prevention and premises liability annual audit checklist helps property management teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for property manager / risk manager professionals, this checklist covers 28 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: annually / after any incident.
Ensures compliance with ASTM F1637 Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, ANSI A1264.2 Slip Resistance on Walking Surfaces, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Means of Egress, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces, State Premises Liability Negligence Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Apartment Slip and Fall Prevention and Premises Liability Annual Audit Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 28 inspection items across 5 sections: Walkways and Walking Surfaces, Stairs and Handrails, Lighting Adequacy, Seasonal and Weather Hazards, Incident Documentation and Response. It is designed for property management operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed annually / after any incident. Each completion takes approximately 2-3 hours.
Who should use this Apartment Slip and Fall Prevention and Premises Liability Annual Audit Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Property Manager / Risk Manager professionals in the property management industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.