A disturbing fact is that Great Britain’s health and safety performance has stopped improving.
With one third of the work related injuries being caused as a result of a slip, trip or fall and at a cost of over £500 million a year in loss of production and £133 million cost to our health service, can your company afford to ignore steps to make your workplace a safer environment?
Statistically – on average trips and slips account for :
- 33% of all reported major injuries
- 20% of over-3-day injuries to employees
- 2 fatalities per year
- 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public
- Incalculable human cost
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work. However, workers have a duty to care for their own health and safety and for others who may be affected by their actions. The legislation requires that workers co-operate with employers on health and safety issues.
This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks.
Most floors only become slippery once they become contaminated. Prevent contamination and you reduce or even eliminate the slip risk.
Contamination can be classed as anything that ends up on a floor e.g. rainwater, oil, grease, cardboard, product wrapping, dust etc. the list is endless. It can be a by-product of a work process or be due to adverse weather conditions. If product ends up on the floor it is costing the company money.
First think about whether you can eliminate the problem, e.g.
- Fit effective canopies to external entrance ways to stop rainwater from entering a building · Fix leaking machines
- Change the system of work
If not, can the contamination be controlled e.g.: -
- Drip trays for leaks
- Lids on cups and containers
- Good sized mats at building entrances to dry feet
50% of all trip accidents are caused by bad housekeeping. So improving housekeeping would eliminate a large number of accidents.
From the photograph above we can notice that the area is well marked out, fork truck lane and walkways are both free from any obstacles, the checker plate walkway also has a non-slip paint applied to edging again avoiding unwanted slips from machine.
Lighting should enable people to see obstructions, potentially slippery areas etc, so they can work safely. Replace, repair or clean lights before levels become too low for safe work.
Obstructions and objects left lying around can easily go unnoticed and cause a trip. Try to keep work areas tidy and if obstructions can’t be removed, warn people using signs or barriers.
Footwear can play an important part in preventing slips and trips. Employers need to provide footwear if it is necessary to protect the safety of workers.
HSE have recommended approach to risk assessment.
Look for trip or slip hazards around the workplace, such as uneven floors, trailing cables, areas that are sometimes slippery due to spillages. Include outdoor areas. Decide you might be harmed and how.
Who comes into the workplace? Are they at risk? Do you have any control over them? Remember that older people and people with disabilities may be at particular risk. Consider the risks. Are the precautions already taken adequate to deal with the risks? Record your findings if you have five or more employees.
Regular reviews. If any significant changes take place, make sure existing precautions and management arrangements are still adequate to deal with the risks.
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