Why does it matter
Most slips occur in wet or contaminated conditions and most trips are due to poor housekeeping. The solutions are often simple and cost effective, a suitable assessment of the risks should identify the necessary controls and these should include (in no particular order):
- prevention of contamination
- management of spillages and cleaning regimes
- effective matting systems
- choice of suitable footwear
- design of workplace and work activities
- maintenance of plant and the work environment
- specification of appropriate flooring
- housekeeping
- effective training and supervision
Did you know?
Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work and can happen almost anywhere. 95% of major slips result in broken bones and they can also be the initial cause for a range of other types of accident such as a fall from height.
Slips and trips are responsible for, on average:
- over a third of all reported major injuries
- 20% of over-3-day injuries to employees
- 2 fatalities per year
- 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public that happen in workplaces
- cost to employers £512 million per year (lost production and other costs)
- cost to health service £133 million per year
- incalculable human cost
- more major injuries in manufacturing and in the service sectors than any other cause.
Latest slip and trip accident statistics[28]
The biggest barriers to putting the problems right include:
- People not taking the risks seriously.
- Little understanding of the causes of slipping.
- Thinking that slips and trips are inevitable.
- Poor application of risk assessment and management controls.
But simple cost effective measures can reduce these accidents!
What else do I need to know?
- The law and standards[29]
- Where do I start?[30]
- What do slip and trip accidents cost?[31]
- I've had a slip or trip accident at work – what happens now?[32]