subject: Be Aware And Stop Slips And Trips [print this page] Slip and trip accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including flooring, people, obstacles, environment or footwear. Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work and can occur virtually anywhere. Slips can be the initial cause for a range of other types of accident such as a fall from height. 95% of major slips result in broken bones.
Any work activity must take place on a suitable floor for the kind of activity undertaken. Where a floor can't be kept dry, people should be able to walk on the floor without apprehension of a slip despite any contaminant that may be on it. So the floor should have sufficient roughness. The floor must be cleaned accurately to ensure that it keeps its slip resistance properties and does not become slippery. Once they become contaminated a floor will often become slippy. 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 unending. It can be due to untoward weather conditions or a by-product of a work process. Follow this rule in order to stop slips on anti-slip flooring that could be contaminated - the thicker the contamination the rougher a floor needs to be.
The floor should be fitted correctly to check that there are no trip hazards and to guarantee that anti slip coatings are properly applied. The floor must be maintained in good order to guarantee 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 a suitable handrail, high visibility, non-slip edges 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 opinion toward health and safety, a See it, sort it!' mentality can reduce the danger of slip and trips accidents e.g. dealing with a spill, rather than waiting for someone else to do 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. The risk of an accident can also be incresed by things that prevent you from seeing or thinking about where you are going e.g. rushing about, carrying large objects, becoming distracted whilst walking e.g. using a mobile phone.
Lighting (natural or otherwise), the weather, humidity, loud or unfamiliar noises, condensation etc. can affect slips and trips. For example too little light will stop 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. Loud and unfamiliar noises can be distracting. If rainwater gets onto a smooth surface outside or inside of a building, it may bring about a slip hazard. Cold weather may make slippery surfaces as it can cause ice and frost to form. A smooth floor can be made slippy 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.
