Slips, Trips and Falls
WHILE WE HAVE the likes of Laurel and Hardy or the Marx Brothers to thank for making minor accidents look funny, in reality, slips, trips and falls are no laughing matter.
As the most common cause of workplace injuries, they account for more than one-third of those reported to the HSE with more than 8,500 people being injured by people slipping and falling within the workplace each year. So, what can be done about it?
Why should slips, trips and falls demand your attention?
If we answer truthfully, we have all given a sarcastic cheer if we see someone stumble across an office or restaurant, yet these types of incidents cost employers dear. In 2004, they lost £512m in compensation and injury claims, not all of which were covered by insurance.
As personal injury claims become more prevalent, it is essential that businesses take heed of their responsibilities. Within the veterinary sector, there is the added factor of members of the public coming onto your premises, which could result in damaging publicity should an avoidable accident occur.
Who takes responsibility?
The simple answer is everybody has a responsibility to help reduce the risk, but the business owner(s) has an obligation to ensure adequate health and safety arrangements are in place. As the vast majority of slips, trips and falls are avoidable, the solutions can be very simple and easy if everyone just takes a little extra care and responsibility.
How do we identify risks?
Firstly, employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees, so reducing slips, trips and falls comes under this obligation.
As with all health and safety control measures, they are often implemented as a result of a practice’s risk assessment procedure. The initial approach is to assess the workplace with slips, trips and falls in mind. Search for high-risk areas. Ask yourself questions like “Can we be doing this work in a different way to reduce the risk?”, or “Do we need specific equipment for staff, such as suitable footwear or trolleys to move deliveries rather than leaving them in reception as a hazard?”
Once you have identified the areas of high risk you should implement appropriate control measures. These can often be grouped into three main categories:
And to reduce the risks?
Regarding the management systems in a practice, this should essentially involve making sure effective training and supervision is carried out among the staff to ensure good housekeeping.
Remember to involve new staff and encourage the reporting of any hazards or concerns. Contamination removal is essentially cleaning up any spillages or clearing surfaces as soon as possible, with the correct equipment.
Using a wet floor sign will only have a limited effect if the surface remains wet for hours. Likewise, mopping a small puddle just spreads the water around, creating a larger hazard, whereby using an absorbent cloth often eliminates the danger. Contamination removal is everyone’s responsibility and should not be left for someone else to clear away or identify. Obstacle removal is the easiest to undertake and very quickly reduces any trip hazards.
Routing cables away from walkways or using cable covers is an example, as is repairing damaged carpets or floor tiles.
Reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace is relevant to everyone in the practice, no matter what position you hold. By taking responsibility for yourselves and your colleagues, you will very quickly create a safer place in which to work.
As the most common cause of workplace injuries, they account for more than one-third of those reported to the HSE with more than 8,500 people being injured by people slipping and falling within the workplace each year. So, what can be done about it?Why should slips, trips and falls demand your attention?
If we answer truthfully, we have all given a sarcastic cheer if we see someone stumble across an office or restaurant, yet these types of incidents cost employers dear. In 2004, they lost £512m in compensation and injury claims, not all of which were covered by insurance.
As personal injury claims become more prevalent, it is essential that businesses take heed of their responsibilities. Within the veterinary sector, there is the added factor of members of the public coming onto your premises, which could result in damaging publicity should an avoidable accident occur.
Who takes responsibility?
The simple answer is everybody has a responsibility to help reduce the risk, but the business owner(s) has an obligation to ensure adequate health and safety arrangements are in place. As the vast majority of slips, trips and falls are avoidable, the solutions can be very simple and easy if everyone just takes a little extra care and responsibility.
How do we identify risks?
Firstly, employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees, so reducing slips, trips and falls comes under this obligation.
As with all health and safety control measures, they are often implemented as a result of a practice’s risk assessment procedure. The initial approach is to assess the workplace with slips, trips and falls in mind. Search for high-risk areas. Ask yourself questions like “Can we be doing this work in a different way to reduce the risk?”, or “Do we need specific equipment for staff, such as suitable footwear or trolleys to move deliveries rather than leaving them in reception as a hazard?”
Once you have identified the areas of high risk you should implement appropriate control measures. These can often be grouped into three main categories:
- management control systems;
- contamination removal; and
- obstacle removal.
And to reduce the risks?
Regarding the management systems in a practice, this should essentially involve making sure effective training and supervision is carried out among the staff to ensure good housekeeping.
Remember to involve new staff and encourage the reporting of any hazards or concerns. Contamination removal is essentially cleaning up any spillages or clearing surfaces as soon as possible, with the correct equipment.
Using a wet floor sign will only have a limited effect if the surface remains wet for hours. Likewise, mopping a small puddle just spreads the water around, creating a larger hazard, whereby using an absorbent cloth often eliminates the danger. Contamination removal is everyone’s responsibility and should not be left for someone else to clear away or identify. Obstacle removal is the easiest to undertake and very quickly reduces any trip hazards.
Routing cables away from walkways or using cable covers is an example, as is repairing damaged carpets or floor tiles.
Reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace is relevant to everyone in the practice, no matter what position you hold. By taking responsibility for yourselves and your colleagues, you will very quickly create a safer place in which to work.
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