Health & Safety

Slips and Trips

Slips and trips are the main cause of accidents in the workplace. Consequences include:

• Minor injuries - cuts, bruises and sprains;

• Broken bones;

• Injuries to the back;

• Time off work;

• Major injuries - head injuries or concussions;

• Legal proceedings; and

• Death.

Some of the reasons for slips, trips and falls include:

1. Poor working practices

2. Poor housekeeping

3. Poor design of premises

Some examples of these would be:

For poor working practices -

• Rushing or working too quickly

• Not paying attention or carelessness

• Not wearing the appropriate footwear

For poor housekeeping -

• Obstructing walkways and corridors

• Damaged floors, surfaces, railings and ladders

For poor design of premises -

• Uneven flooring

• Poor quality, unsuitable shelving or storage units

• Poor lighting

• Not meeting health and safety design standards

Some of these could be prevented by:

For poor working practices -

• Always follow safety procedures

• Never run inside the premises

• Always pay attention to what you are doing and to the people and objects around you

• Always wear the recommended footwear

For poor housekeeping -

• Walkways and corridors should never be obstructed

• All spillages should be cleaned up immediately

• Floors and any other flooring surfaces such as tiles and carpet should be kept clean and in good condition

• Hand and balcony railings and ladders should be regularly checked and maintained in good condition

• Suitable warning signs should be displayed

For poor design of premises -

• Floors should be even and non-slip

• Shelving and storage areas should be appropriate for use

• Drainage and lighting should be adequate

• There should be hand-railings on all balustrades, slopes and stairs