Preventing Slips & Trips at Work
Did You Know?
Over a third of all major injuries reported each year are caused
as a result of a slip or trip.
AND
Slips & trips are the single most common cause of injuries
at work!
The Health & Safety Executive recommend a five step
approach to risk assessment and suggest that slip and trip risks
should be among the risks examined.
- Look for slip and trip hazards.
Look for slip & trip hazards around the workplace, for example,
uneven floors, trailing cables, areas that are sometimes slippery
due to spillages. (Also include doorways).
- Decide who might be harmed.
Who comes into the workplace? Employees, members of the public,
aged persons, children, people affected by a disability.
- Consider the risks.
Are the precautions that already exist adequate to deal with the
potential risk.
- Record your findings.
- Regularly review the assessment.
If there are any changes make sure that the existing precautions
and management arrangements are still adequate to deal with the
risk.
Slips and Trips Hazards and Actions
Slips & Trips Hazards & Action Table
| Hazard |
Suggested Action |
| Spillage of wet and dry substances |
Clean spills up immediately, if a liquid is greasy, make
sure a suitable cleaning agent is used.
After cleaning, the floor can be wet for some time; dry it where
possible. Use appropriate barriers to tell people the floor is
still wet and arrange alternative bypass routes. If cleaning is
done once a day, it may be possible to do it last thing at night,
so it is dry for the start of the next shift.
|
| Trailing Cables |
Position equipment to avoid cables crossing pedestrian routes,
use cable covers to securely fix to surfaces, restrict access to
prevent contact. Consider use of cordless tools.
Remember that contractors will also need to be managed.
|
| Miscellaneous rubbish, e.g. plastic bags |
Keep areas clear, remove rubbish and do not allow it to build
up. |
| Rugs/mats |
Ensure mats are securely fixed and do not have curling
edges.
|
| Poor Lighting |
Improve lighting levels and placement of light fittings to
ensure more even lighting of all floor areas.
|
| Slippery surfaces |
Assess the cause and treat accordingly, for example always keep
them dry if wet causes the problem. In certain situations you may
have to treat them chemically and use appropriate cleaning method
etc.
|
| Change from wet to dry floor surface |
Provide suitable footwear, warn of risks by using signs, locate
doormats where these changes are likely.
|
| Changes of level |
Try to avoid.
If you can't, improve lighting, add high visible tread nosings
(i.e. white/reflective edge to step).
|
| Slopes |
Improve visibilty, provide hand rails, use floor markings.
|
| Smoke/steam obscuring view |
Eliminate or control by redirecting it away from risk areas;
improve ventilation and warn of it.
|
| Unsuitable footwear |
Ensure workers choose suitable footwear, particularly with the
correct type of sole.
If the type of work requires special protective footwear, the
employer is required by law to provide it free of charge.
|
If you require any further information regarding slips and trips
at work you can get in touch with our Health & Safety Officers.