subject: Stop Slipping And Tripping [print this page] Flooring, people, obstacles, environment or footwear can all be reasons for slipping or tripping. Slips and trips can happen nearly anywhere and are the most common cause of major injuries at work. 95% of major slips lead to broken bones and they can likewise be the original cause for a range of other types of accident such as a fall from height.
A workplace floor must be suitable for the type of work activity that will be taking place on it. People should not have to fret about a slip when walking across a floor, even if it can't be kept dry. So the floor should have sufficient roughness. The floor must be cleaned correctly to guarantee that it does not become slippery and keeps its slip resistance properties. Most floors only get slippy once they become contaminated. Anything that ends up on a floor can be classed as contamination e.g. cardboard, product wrapping, dust, rainwater, oil, grease etc. the list is endless. It can be a by-product of a work procedure or be due to untoward weather conditions. If you are relying on the floor to be good 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 well to make sure that anti slip coatings are appropriately applied and to ensure that there are no trip hazards. 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.
People have been falling and getting hurt or even killed on stairs since ancient times, as they are so inherently hazardous. 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 conduct themselves in their work environments. A positive point of view toward health and safety, a See it, sort it!' mentality can lessen the risk of slip and trips accidents e.g. dealing with a spill, instead of waiting for someone else to deal with it. What footgear is worn can too make a difference e.g. if you wear high heels to work then you are more likely 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 all make you slip or trip. Eg too much light on a shiny floor can cause glare and stop people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs but too little light will also stop people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs. Unfamiliar and loud noises possibly could be distracting. If rainwater gets onto a smooth surface inside or outside of a building, it may be the cause of a slip hazard. Cold weather may produce slippy surfaces as it can cause ice and frost to form. Condensation could make a smooth floor slippery.
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.
