Slips and Trips - No Laughing Matter
Slipping on a banana skin, is part of the staple diet of slapstick comedy. Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and others have had audiences in uproars of laugher over the comical consequences of well timed slips and trips.
Joking aside, slips and trips are a major occupational safety issue and one of the most common and preventable causes of workplace injuries. They occur across all industry sectors and generally the potential business liability and personal upset fails to be truly appreciated.
Business Link indicate that having staff absent from work may damage productivity and injury to a customer or member of staff may also lead to a claim for damages, resulting in extra cost and inconvenience.
Slips and Trips account for a third of all major injuries in the workplace and cost businesses and the economy more than £750million each year.
They are not only restricted to employees, customers and even the general public can also be at risk. Fortunately, the basic precautions are simple and cost effective. Clean, dry , unobstructed walkways and the use of appropriate footwear can offer a solution.
Safe Floors
Obstacles and slippery floors are common factors in most slips and trips.
Good housekeeping practices are essential, with prompt cleaning up of spillages and debris.
Risk Assessments should be carried out to determine if a non- slip floor treatment is needed when wet or greasy floors are inevitable.
Floors in workplaces where people are continually entering from outdoors will often be wet in bad weather and during winter months.
In commercial kitchens and some industrial operations grease or oils may settle on floors, increasing the chance of slips and trips. These areas may benefit from non-slip coating or treatment; and good housekeeping practices.
The Right Footwear
Unsuitable footwear is often a factor in slips and trips. Employers should determine in their Risk Assessments the most suitable type of footwear for the working conditions.
Most businesses, however, cannot control the footwear of their customers.
Why not help to avoid slips and trips, by; wearing the right footwear; adjusting your stride to the walking surface and watching where you are going?
Remember — Slips and Trips are no laughing matter!
Ternarius: This article was featured in the Summer 2008 edition. Please click here for more information about Tern Associates newsletter.
