Someone falls at work – How to Help Someone Who Has Fallen

A child falls from playground equipment.

An employee slips on a wet floor.

Someone misses the last few steps on a staircase.

They may get straight back up, brush themselves off and say:

“I’m fine.”

But are they?

Knowing how to help someone who has fallen isn’t simply about helping them back onto their feet. While many falls result in little more than bruising or embarrassment, some can cause serious injuries that aren’t immediately obvious.

Head injuries, concussion, spinal injuries, fractures and internal injuries can sometimes be difficult to recognise straight away.

There is also another important question to consider:

Did the person fall because they tripped or slipped, or did a medical emergency cause them to fall?

In this guide, we’ll explain how to help someone who has fallen, what first aid checks you should make, when you shouldn’t move them and the warning signs that mean a fall could be more serious than it initially appears.

How to Help Someone Who Has Fallen

Your first instinct may be to immediately help someone back onto their feet.

Don’t rush.

Before moving them, take a moment to assess what has happened and check whether they may be injured.

Ask them what happened if they’re able to respond.

Did they:

• trip over something?
• slip?
• fall down stairs?
• fall from a height?
• hit their head?
• land heavily on their back or hip?
• suddenly collapse without knowing why?

Look at their position and surroundings.

If they have potentially injured their head, neck, back or hip, are experiencing significant pain, or cannot get up, don’t simply pull them to their feet.

The NHS advises calling 999 if someone has fallen and may have injured their head, back, neck or hip, or if they’re unable to get up.

If they’re injured or unwell but it doesn’t appear to be a life-threatening emergency, NHS 111 can provide advice.

Check for Danger Before Approaching

Before helping the casualty, make sure it’s safe for you to approach them.

For example, did they:

• fall near moving machinery?
• slip because of a wet floor?
• fall into a road?
• receive an electric shock before falling?
• fall because something collapsed?
• come into contact with a hazardous substance?

You don’t want one casualty to become two.

Where possible, make the area safe without putting yourself or anybody else at risk.

Check Whether They Are Responsive

Talk to the casualty.

Ask simple questions such as:

“Are you okay?”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

Their answers can give you useful information.

Someone who is awake but confused, unable to remember what happened or repeatedly asking the same question may have sustained a head injury.

If they don’t respond, you need to assess their airway and breathing immediately.

If they’re unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR. Use an AED as soon as one becomes available.

If they are unresponsive but breathing normally, call 999 and manage their airway appropriately while considering whether significant trauma means unnecessary movement should be avoided.

Use a Structured First Aid Assessment

When learning how to help someone who has fallen, it’s useful to have a structured approach rather than focusing solely on the most obvious injury.

The Resuscitation Council UK recommends the ABCDE approach when assessing someone who is ill or injured.

A – Airway

Is their airway open and clear?

B – Breathing

Are they breathing normally?

C – Circulation

Is there life-threatening bleeding?

D – Disability

What is their level of responsiveness? Are there signs of a head injury or neurological problem?

E – Exposure

What other injuries can you identify? Consider how they fell and what parts of their body may have been injured while maintaining their dignity and keeping them warm.

This approach can help prevent a first aider from becoming distracted by one obvious injury.

For example, a bleeding hand might immediately grab your attention.

But if the casualty also hit their head during the fall, that may be the greater concern.

Don’t Automatically Help Them Back Up

One of the most important things to remember when considering how to help someone who has fallen is that getting them back onto their feet isn’t necessarily the first priority.

Someone may have injured their:

• head
• neck
• spine
• hip
• pelvis
• leg
• ankle

If they’re in significant pain or unable to move normally, don’t encourage them to stand simply to see whether they can.

Keep them as comfortable and still as possible and seek appropriate medical assistance.

Avoid trying to physically lift them yourself.

Apart from potentially worsening their injury, attempting to lift someone incorrectly could result in you injuring yourself too.

Did They Hit Their Head?

A head injury should always be taken seriously.

Someone does not have to lose consciousness to have sustained a concussion or other head injury.

After a fall, watch for symptoms including:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting
• confusion
• memory problems
• unusual behaviour
• balance problems
• visual disturbances
• increasing drowsiness
• reduced responsiveness
• seizures

Someone may initially appear okay but develop symptoms later.

This is why it’s important not to judge the seriousness of a fall purely by how someone appears immediately afterwards.

What If They Were Knocked Unconscious?

Loss of consciousness following a fall should not be dismissed.

Even if someone says:

“I was only out for a second.”

that information is important.

If they’re now awake, they should still be appropriately assessed following the head injury.

If they remain unresponsive, call 999 and assess their breathing.

If they’re not breathing normally, start CPR and use an AED as soon as possible.

If they’re breathing normally, continue managing their airway and monitoring their condition while waiting for emergency assistance.

Look for Changes in Behaviour

Sometimes there isn’t an obvious injury.

Instead, the first indication that something isn’t right may be a change in the person’s behaviour.

They may:

• seem confused
• repeatedly ask the same question
• struggle to remember the fall
• become unusually irritable
• seem very quiet
• struggle to concentrate
• have difficulty understanding you
• become increasingly sleepy

Don’t assume somebody is okay simply because they’re awake and talking.

Changes in behaviour, responsiveness or memory after a fall can indicate a head injury.

What If They Have Neck or Back Pain?

Falls can potentially cause spinal injuries.

Be particularly cautious where there has been significant trauma, such as:

• falling from height
• falling down stairs
• a road traffic collision
• a sporting accident
• being struck or crushed by a heavy object

Warning signs may include:

• neck pain
• back pain
• tenderness around the spine
• numbness
• tingling
• weakness in the arms or legs
• loss of sensation
• difficulty moving

If you suspect a spinal injury, minimise unnecessary movement and call 999.

If the casualty is awake, encourage them to remain still and keep their head and neck in a comfortable position.

Don’t force their head or neck into another position.

Airway and Breathing Still Come First

This is an extremely important first aid principle.

People are often taught:

“Never move someone with a suspected spinal injury.”

But this needs context.

Protecting the casualty’s airway and breathing takes priority.

If someone is unresponsive after a fall, you must assess their breathing.

If they’re not breathing normally, they need CPR.

Concerns about a possible spinal injury should not prevent life-saving treatment.

This is one of the reasons practical first aid training is so important. First aid isn’t just about memorising rules; it’s about understanding priorities.

What If They Cannot Get Up?

If someone cannot get up following a fall, don’t automatically assume they simply need help standing.

There may be an injury preventing them from moving.

The NHS advises calling 999 if someone has fallen and cannot get up, or may have injured their head, back, neck or hip.

Keep them comfortable while waiting for assistance.

If appropriate, keep them warm using a coat or blanket.

Continue talking to them and monitor their condition.

Don’t attempt to physically lift them from the floor yourself.

Check for Serious Bleeding

Falls can result in cuts and wounds, particularly if someone has fallen onto glass, machinery, sharp furniture or other objects.

If there is life-threatening bleeding, this becomes an immediate priority.

Call 999 and apply firm, direct pressure to the bleeding site.

Depending on the injury and the first aider’s training, additional measures may be required to control catastrophic bleeding.

Don’t become so focused on the fall itself that you overlook a potentially life-threatening bleed.

Look for Possible Broken Bones

Not every fracture will be immediately obvious.

Signs of a possible fracture can include:

• pain
• swelling
• bruising
• tenderness
• inability to use the affected area normally
• inability to put weight through a limb
• abnormal shape or position
• shortening or rotation of a limb

Don’t repeatedly ask someone to move an injured limb to determine whether it’s broken.

Support the injured area, minimise unnecessary movement and seek appropriate medical assistance.

Remember That Symptoms Can Develop Later

Someone might stand up after a fall and initially feel fine.

That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re uninjured.

Symptoms from some injuries, particularly head injuries, may become more apparent afterwards.

Watch for deterioration such as:

• worsening headache
• repeated vomiting
• increasing confusion
• increasing drowsiness
• unusual behaviour
• seizures
• weakness
• numbness
• problems walking
• difficulty speaking
• visual problems

If their condition deteriorates, seek medical assistance.

Does the Height of the Fall Matter?

Yes, but height isn’t the only consideration.

A fall from height can obviously result in significant trauma, but a person can also sustain a serious injury from a fall at ground level.

Consider:

• the height
• the surface
• how they landed
• whether they hit anything on the way down
• whether they hit their head
• the force involved
• the casualty’s condition afterwards

For example, somebody could simply slip backwards from standing height but strike their head hard against a concrete floor.

The fall itself may not look dramatic.

The resulting injury could still be serious.

The NHS advises calling 999 following a head injury where someone has fallen from a height of more than 1 metre or 5 stairs.

However, this doesn’t mean a fall below that height is automatically safe.

Assess the casualty, not just the height of the fall.

Ask Yourself WHY They Fell

This is one of the most important things a first aider can consider.

Was this actually an accident?

Or was the fall caused by a medical emergency?

Someone could suddenly fall because they are experiencing:

• a faint
• a seizure
• a stroke
• a heart problem
• low blood sugar
• another sudden illness or medical emergency

Imagine somebody suddenly collapses at work and hits their head on a desk as they fall.

It’s very easy to focus on the visible head injury.

But the bigger question could be:

Why did they collapse?

The injury may be a consequence of the emergency rather than the original problem.

When deciding how to help someone who has fallen, always consider the whole casualty rather than just the injury you can see.

How to Help a Child Who Has Fallen

Falls are extremely common in children.

Most are minor, but parents, carers, teachers, nursery practitioners and paediatric first aiders should still know which warning signs require further attention.

Seek medical help where appropriate if a child:

• loses consciousness
• has a significant head injury
• becomes unusually sleepy
• behaves differently from normal
• repeatedly vomits
• has a seizure
• has difficulty walking or balancing
• has significant bleeding
• has severe pain
• has an obvious deformity
• becomes less responsive

Children may not always be able to clearly describe what they’re experiencing.

Changes in their normal behaviour can therefore be particularly important.

How to Help an Older Person Who Has Fallen

Falls can have particularly serious consequences for older adults.

A seemingly minor fall could result in injuries such as a hip fracture or head injury.

Some people may also take medicines that can increase their risk of bleeding following an injury.

Never assume:

“They fall quite often, so they’ll be okay.”

Every fall should be assessed individually.

If they cannot get up, may have injured their head, neck, back or hip, or you’re concerned about their condition, seek appropriate medical assistance.

Should You Help Someone Stand Up After a Fall?

This depends on the circumstances.

If the casualty is alert, appears uninjured and feels able to get up, they may be able to get themselves up slowly.

Don’t rush them.

However, if they have pain, dizziness, weakness or signs of injury, don’t encourage them to stand.

Never try to drag or manually lift an injured casualty from the floor.

If they cannot get up, call 999.

When Should You Call 999 After Someone Has Fallen?

Knowing how to help someone who has fallen also means recognising when professional emergency help is required.

Call 999 where there is a serious or potentially life-threatening emergency.

This may include where someone:

• cannot get up
• may have injured their head, neck, back or hip
• is unconscious or has reduced responsiveness
• is not breathing normally
• has life-threatening bleeding
• has suffered a serious head injury
• has a seizure following a head injury
• develops weakness or numbness
• has significant breathing difficulties
• has suffered major trauma

If the situation isn’t life-threatening but you’re unsure what medical help is required, contact NHS 111.

A Fall Can Be More Serious Than It Looks

When learning how to help someone who has fallen, one of the biggest lessons is:

Don’t only look for what you can see.

It’s tempting to look for blood, swelling and bruising.

But some serious injuries aren’t immediately obvious.

Think about:

What happened?

Did they trip, slip, collapse or fall from height?

Why did they fall?

Could an illness or medical emergency have caused the fall?

What did they hit?

Did they strike their head, neck or back?

How did they land?

Could significant force have travelled through their body?

How are they behaving?

Are they alert and behaving normally, or are they confused, drowsy or unresponsive?

What are they feeling?

Do they have pain, dizziness, nausea, weakness, numbness or tingling?

Is anything changing?

Are their symptoms becoming worse?

These questions can help you build a much clearer picture of what’s happened.

How to Help Someone Who Has Fallen: Remember These Steps

If you come across someone who has fallen:

1. Check for danger.

Make sure it’s safe to approach.

2. Check their response.

Talk to them and establish whether they’re alert.

3. Check airway and breathing.

If they’re unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR.

4. Check for life-threatening bleeding.

Control severe bleeding immediately.

5. Don’t rush to move them.

Consider possible head, neck, back, hip or other serious injuries.

6. Find out what happened.

Did they trip, slip or collapse because of a medical emergency?

7. Monitor them.

Their condition may change.

8. Get appropriate help.

Call 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 where urgent medical advice is required but it isn’t an emergency.

Would You Know How to Help Someone Who Has Fallen?

Imagine someone at work falls down several stairs.

They’re awake.

They’re talking.

There’s no obvious bleeding.

But they tell you their neck hurts and their fingers are tingling.

Would you know what to do?

Would you help them stand?

Would you move them?

Would you call 999?

These are the types of decisions first aiders may need to make.

Frequently Asked Questions About Helping Someone Who Has Fallen

What is the first thing you should do when someone has fallen?

Check that the area is safe before approaching them. Assess whether they’re responsive and check their airway and breathing where necessary. Don’t automatically help them stand until you’ve considered whether they may be injured.

Should you pick someone up after a fall?

Not automatically. If they may have injured their head, neck, back, hip or another part of their body, avoid unnecessary movement. If they cannot get up, call 999 rather than attempting to lift them yourself.

When should you call 999 after a fall?

Call 999 for a serious or potentially life-threatening emergency. The NHS advises calling 999 if someone has fallen and may have injured their head, back, neck or hip, or if they’re unable to get up.

Can someone have a serious injury even if they get straight back up?

Yes. Some injuries aren’t immediately obvious and symptoms can develop later. Pay particular attention to signs of head injury, confusion, vomiting, worsening pain, weakness, numbness or changes in responsiveness.

What if someone fell because they fainted or collapsed?

Don’t focus solely on injuries caused by the fall. Consider why they collapsed. A medical emergency may have caused the fall and may require treatment itself.

Should you move someone with a suspected spinal injury?

Avoid unnecessary movement where a spinal injury is suspected. However, airway and breathing take priority in a life-threatening emergency. Call 999 and follow the emergency call handler’s instructions.

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Need First Aid Training for Your Workplace?

Would your team know what to do if someone fell, collapsed or suffered a serious injury at work?

HMB Training Services provides practical and engaging first aid training designed to give learners the skills and confidence to respond appropriately in a real emergency.

Whether you need to train new first aiders, renew existing qualifications or arrange first aid training for your workplace, school or nursery, contact HMB Training Services to discuss your training requirements.

At HMB Training Services, our courses aren’t simply about learning how to apply a bandage or perform CPR.

We help learners understand how to assess a casualty, recognise potentially serious injuries and decide what action needs to be taken.

Our practical training includes:

• casualty assessment
• CPR
• AED use
• unconscious casualties
• bleeding
• shock
• head injuries
• fractures
• emergency response

We provide Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid training for businesses, schools, nurseries and organisations.

Because knowing how to help someone who has fallen isn’t just about getting them back onto their feet.

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is recognise that they shouldn’t be moved at all.

If you’d like to learn more about our first aid courses, learn what to do when someone faints or arrange training for your team, get in touch with HMB Training today. Because when an emergency happens, the right knowledge really can save a life.

01543 453338 / 07506 906641
info@hmbtrainingservices.co.uk

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This article provides general first aid information and does not replace accredited first aid training or professional medical advice. In an emergency, call 999 and follow the instructions provided by the emergency call handler.