A guide to...

Preventing Slips & Trips

at Work

Introduction

The aim of this presentation:

Why you need to prevent slips and trips

Managing health and safety

Examining slips and trips

What the Law says

Cleaning and maintenance

Hazards and suggested actions

Why?

Why you need to prevent slips and trips...

Slips and trips are the single most

common cause of injury at work

Legal actions brought as a result of

an injury can be extremely damaging

to business

These slips cost employers over

£512 million a year in lost production and other costs

What the Law says...

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)

Requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees. This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999Build on HSWA and include duties on employers to assess risks (including slip and trip).

The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992Require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must be able to move around safely.

ManagingHealth & Safety

A good management system will help you identify problem areas and decide how to act on them

Managing Health & Safety

A good management system will help you identify problem areas, decide what to do, act on decisions made and check

that the steps taken have been effective

PlanMonitor

&Review

ControlOrganise

Planning

Identify key areas of risk and set goals for improvement

Plan

Employers and employees should work together to identify slip and trip hazards on site

Careful selection of materials, equipment and work practices can prevent or contain slip and trip hazards

Organisation

Workers need to be involved and committed to reducing risks

Organise

Give people responsibilities to ensure areas of the workplace are kept safe

Keep a record of who is responsible for which arrangements and make them clear to everyone

Control

Check to ensure working practices and processes are being carried out properly, eg smooth floors are not left wet

Control

Keep a record of cleaning and maintenance work etc and encourage good health and safety

Monitor & Review

Monitor your accident investigation and inspection records

Monitor &

Review

Try and identify deficiencies in your arrangements – do they show improvement?

Talk to safety reps about slip and trip risks – they can be a great help when identifying and solving problems

Examining Slip & Trip Risks

All employers have to assess the risks to employees and others who may be affected by their work. This is required to control the risks and satisfy the Law

The HSE recommend a 5 step approach to slip and trip risk assessment

Step 1

Look for slip and trip hazards around the workplace such as:

Uneven floors

Trailing cables

Slippery floors

And don’t forget outside areas

Step 2

Who might be harmed and how...

Who comes into the workplace?

Are they at risk?

Do you have control over them?

Remember that older people and people with disabilities may be at particular risk.

Step 3

Consider the risks...

Are the precautions already taken to deal with the risks?

Step 4

Record your findings...

If you have 5 or more employees

Step 5

Regularly review the assessment

If any significant changes take place, make sure existing precautions and management arrangements are still adequate to deal with the risks

Cleaning &Maintenance

Ensure you keep records of any cleaning and maintenance work carried out so that the system can be checked

Training

Train workers in the correct use of safety and cleaning equipment

Cleaning methods and equipment must be suitable for the purpose

Take care not to create additional slip or trip hazards while cleaning and maintenance is being carried out

Best Practice

Lighting - People need to see obstructions and slippery areas – replace, repair or clean lights before they become too low for safe work

Floors -

Obstructions -

Footwear -

Check for loose finishes, holes and cracks, worn mats etc. Take care in the choice of floor if likely to become wet or dusty

Objects lying around can cause a trip. Keep areas tidy and if obstructions can’t be moved, warn people using signs or barriers

Especially important in preventing slips and trips where floors can’t be kept dry. Employers need to provide footwear if necessary to protect the workers safety.

Hazards & Suggested Actions

There are many simple steps you can take to reduce risks...

Hazards & Actions

= Spillage of wet and dry substances

• Clean up spills immediately

• If a liquid is greasy ensure a suitable cleaning agent is used

• Dry the floor after cleaning

• Use appropriate barriers to warn the floor isstill wet

• Arrange alternative bypass routes

Hazards & Actions

= 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 need tobe managed

Hazards & Actions

= Miscellaneous rubbish, eg plastic bags

• Keep areas clear

• Remove all rubbish from work areas

• Don’t allow rubbish to build up

Hazards & Actions

= Rugs and Mats

• Ensure mats are securely fixed and do not have curling edges

• Make sure your entrance mat was designed for that specific purpose – it will soak up the damp and dirtfrom shoes

Hazards & Actions

= Poor Lighting

• Improve lighting levels

• Think about the placement of light fittings

• Ensure more even lighting of all floorareas so people can see obstructions

Hazards & Actions

= Slippery Surfaces

• Assess the cause and treat accordingly

• Always keep the surface dry if wet causes the problem

• In certain situations you may have totreat them chemically

• Ensure you use appropriate cleaningmethods

Hazards & Actions

= Change from wet to dry floor surface

• Provide suitable footwear

• Warn of risks using signs

• Locate door mats where these changes are likely

Hazards & Actions

= Changes of level and slopes

• Try to avoid changes of level – if you can’t, improve lighting and highly visible tread nosing to steps etc

• For slopes, improve visibility, provide handrailsand use floor markings to indicate the slope

Hazards & Actions

= Smoke/steam obscuring view

• Eliminate or control by redirecting it away from risk areas

• Improve ventilation and warn of it

Hazards & Actions

= Unsuitable footwear

• Ensure workers wear suitable footwear, particularly with the correct type of sole

• If the type of work requires specialfootwear, the employer is required by lawto provide it free of charge

Further Information

This presentation contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.

Source: HSE. More information can be found on the HSE Slips and Trips website: www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm

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