RR753 - A further study of the influence of dry contaminants on pedestrian slips
It is well documented that slips, trips and falls on the same level (STFL) are a major cause of workplace accidents in the UK. HSE Statistics for 2007/2008 show that UK workplace STFL accidents are the leading cause of reported non-fatal major injuries (accounting for 32%), with almost 45,000 incidents reported. It has been estimated that STFL accidents cost the UK economy as much as £750 million per annum, £300 million of which is directly attributable to UK employers.
The extent of the workplace pedestrian slipping problem has resulted in a series of HSE-funded research projects into the causes and means of prevention of slips. Information collected during this research has led to the formation of a strong knowledge base concerning pedestrian safety in wet-contaminated conditions. However, field experience suggests that the presence of dry contaminants, such as flour in the food industry or brick-dust in the construction industry, can also lead to a significant slip risk.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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