subject: Stop Slips And Trips [print this page] Slip and trip accidents can happen because of flooring, people, obstacles, environment or footwear. Slips and trips can happen almost anyplace and are the most common reason of major injuries at work. Slips can be the initial cause for a range of other kinds of accident such as a fall from height. 95% of major slips result in broken bones.
A workplace floor must be suited for the type of work activity that will be taking place on it. People should not have to fret about a slip when walking over a floor, even if it can't be kept dry. So it should have sufficient roughness. The floor must be cleaned properly to ensure that it does not become slippery and keeps its slip resistance properties. Most floors only get slippy once they become contaminated. 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 procedure or be due to adverse weather conditions. If you are relying on the floor to be effective enough to cope with the contamination and still be anti-slip flooring, then the more viscous (the thicker) the contamination the rougher a floor needs to be in order for slips not to happen.
The floor should be fitted correctly to ensure that there are no trip hazards and to see to it that that anti slip coatings are correctly applied. The floor must be maintained in good order to make certain that there are no trip hazards e.g. holes, uneven surfaces, curled up carpet edges. Ramps, raised platforms and other changes of level should be avoided, if they can't they should be highlighted.
Stairs of all kinds have been used since ancient times, and because they are inherently risky, people have been falling on them, getting hurt or even killed in the process. Stairs should have high visibility, non-slip edges, a suitable handrail and steps of equal height and width.
Slips and trips can be affected by how people act and behave in their work environments. A positive attitude toward health and safety, a See it, sort it!' mentality can decrease the chance of slip and trips accidents e.g. clearing up a spillage without waiting for someone else to do it. The footwear that is worn also makes a difference e.g. if you wear high heels to work then you are more probable to slip. Things that stop you from seeing or thinking about where you are going, can also increase the risk of an accident e.g. rushing about, carrying large objects, becoming distracted whilst walking e.g. using a mobile phone.
Lighting (natural or otherwise), loud or unfamiliar noises, the weather, humidity, condensation etc. can affect slips and trips. For example too slight light will prevent people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs but too much light on a shiny floor can cause glare and also stop people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs. Unfamiliar and loud noises could be distracting. If rainwater gets onto a smooth surface outside or inside of a building, it may bring about a slip hazard. Cold weather can cause frost and ice to form, which may make slippery surfaces. A smooth floor can be made slippery by condensation.
Local Councils have a duty of care to provide safe, slip free surfaces. Main areas should be clean, obstacle free and have anti slip flooring.
