The health and safety of everyone in the workplace should be a priority, which could include staff, customers, clients, contractors and more. By law you have a duty to ensure basic provisions are put in place to keep people safe on a day-to-day basis and our guide to preventing trips and slips at work gives provides you with the perfect start point.
Why do you need to prevent slips and trips in the workplace?
On average, 40% of all reported major injuries that occur at work are caused by slips and trips, making it the most common cause of accident.
If proper precautions are not put in place to reduce the likelihood of slips and trips occurring they may lead to far more serious accidents such as falls down stairs or from height. And it is not just work staff it affects. Injuries caused by slips and trips is the most reported accident out and about with the general public.
There are also financial impacts to consider for business owners. Every year it costs UK businesses over £500 million in lost production and other costs. If you do not have adequate measures in place to protect staff and others against the dangers posed by slips and trips, you could be liable to face legal action which could be extremely damaging to your business.
What are the UK's legal requirements?
There are three main areas of law to be aware of:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act)
This law requires employers to ensure all employees (and those affected by their work) have adequate health and safety protection. It also means steps should be taken to reduce the likelihood of slips and trips. Employees have to bear some responsibility for their own actions and must use safety equipment that has been provided to them.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Employers must carry out a risk assessment (which covers risks of trips and slips) and implement changes where needed.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Floors must be in good condition, suitable for the work required and clear from obstructions, so there are no safety risks posed to people working there.
Why is a risk assessment required?
Carrying out a risk assessment will give you a clearer idea of any risks posed to staff and others, and enable you to implement measures that give you greater control to reduce potential harm. The likelihood is that there are already some things in place that protect employees, and a risk assessment enables you review their effectiveness and to make improvements where needed.
Think about what current risks could lead to trip or slip injuries and consider what kind of effective control measures you can put in place to prevent them. Real risks are the ones most likely to cause harm, and once they have been identified preventative measures need to be put into practice.
You can start this process by consulting with your employees to see what their hazard concerns are. They may be able to see things that you cannot and offer a fresh perspective and ideas about the potential risks. Read our article on Risk Assessment to provide further information about how to perform a Risk Assesment in your workplace.
Create a management system
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend employers look at four key areas when creating a managing system for slips and trips:
Planning
Discuss with staff where hazards currently exist and set goals for improvement. Take a look at some of the suggestions we make below.
Organisation
Include staff in the process as much as possible. You can do this with training on the importance of slips and trips and making management responsible for certain workspaces.
Control
Ensure that good housekeeping is maintained and there is upkeep of records about major cleaning or maintenance work that has taken place.
Monitoring and review
Keep a close eye on the changes that have been made to ensure they are working. Keep staff in the loop so they can provide their feedback.
Use appropriate Slip or Trip Signs
Using Slippery surface signs , Mind the step signs , Trip Hazard Signs Hazard Signs are a low cost solution that both informs and visually reminds passers by of potential trip or slipping hazards around the workplace.
Where to look for slips and trips hazards
There are a number of key places around the workplace that should be considered. Look out for common areas such as:
Slippery floors
Make sure slippery floors are cleared up right away. Use appropriate cleaning materials and dry the floor after cleaning. Place warning barriers close by so the area can be avoided.
Bad lighting
Where you see bad lighting levels, make sure this is addressed. Consider where the light fittings are installed and ensure that all obstructions are visible to people using the space.
Trailing cables
Make sure equipment is positioned so cables do not have to trail across access routes. Use securely-fixed cable covers to hide cables and manage contractors when onsite.
Uneven surfaces
If it’s not possible to avoid changes of floor levels, ensure the lighting is good and tread nosing to the steps is made very clear. For areas including slopes, install handrails, improve lighting and use floor markings to indicate the slope.
Footwear
Make sure staff use suitable footwear with the correct type of sole for the surface. If special footwear is required, the law states you must provide it to staff for free.
Smoke/steam impairing visibility
If smoke or steam obscures the view of anyone using the space, use signs to redirect people to use another route. You should also warn people and improve ventilation to reduce and clear it.
The above typical hazards can be applicable to both indoor and outdoor areas. Consider who could be harmed by a fall and how it could happen. Think about who comes into the workplace (including clients/contractors/members of the public). Check if they face any risks while on the premises and what sort of control you have while they are present. If there are risks to be considered, look closely at any actions that have already been taken to reduce them to ensure they are sufficient.
It is good practice to record your findings in a log book so you have a written history of your review and of any changes that have been made.
Summary
While slips and trips can happen almost anywhere, with good planning and organisation you can help to reduce their likelihood in the workplace. By using the appropriate trip signs and encouraging staff to follow simple procedures most dangers can be quickly averted.
It doesn’t cost much to make these changes and they can save you a lot of money in terms of lost productivity, sick pay and potential compensation claims. Slips and trips are preventable accidents and by using the right controls you can easily make your business a much safer place to work.
