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Slips, Trips and Falls

Every year nearly 5 million people in Europe suffer workplace accidents resulting in more than three days absence from their job.

Accident risks are higher in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those with less than 50 employees.

Often there are simple measures that can be taken to reduce or eliminate common accidents such as slips, trips and falls.

Preventative measures include:

Good Housekeeping
Poor standards of cleaning and general untidiness are a major cause of slips, trips and falls. Keeping work areas clean and tidy, with floors and any access routes clear of obstacles or obstructions is a simple way of reducing these accidents. Rubbish should be regularly removed to a designated area outside the building.

Lighting
Good lighting levels, without glare or shadows, should be provided, particularly on access route and staircases. External lighting may be necessary to any walkways or staircases used by staff and visitors outside the workplace.

Flooring
Floors should be level and even and be checked regularly for any damage, loose carpets or mats or trailing phone leads/electrical cabling. Repairs should be made as quickly as possible. Any changes of gradient should be highlighted and slippery surfaces replaced or treated with a non-slip coating.

Stairways
Handrails must be provided to all stairways with three or more steps and they must be securely fixed to the structure of the staircase or adjoining wall surface. High visibility and non-slip nosings can help to prevent slips and trips. Single steps and ramps should be clearly marked with appropriate bright coloured tape or paint.

Spillages
Ensure staff know who to report these to so that they can be cleaned up immediately. Make sure proper signs are used when any floors are wet or are in the process of being cleaned.

Trailing Cables
Ensure electrical equipment or telephones are placed so that cables do not trail across floors or access routes. Use cable managers/ties or floor cable covers to remove tripping hazards.

Footwear
Workers should be provided with footwear that is suitable for the work environment. Factors such as any waste material, dust, etc, produced by the job, the material of the floor surfaces, environmental factors (eg: water, dust, ice, etc) and slip resistance of the footwear soles should be taken into account.

For further advice either contact Environmental Health on 01276 707100 or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on www.hse.gov.uk Opens in a new window - Telephone 0845 345 0055.