CART Necessity Of Slips, Trips And Falls Training In Today's Workplaces
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Necessity of Slips, Trips and Falls Training in Today's Workplaces
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of workplace accidents, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that slips and trips are responsible for, on average:
- Over a third of all reported major injuries.
- 20% of over-3-day injuries to employees.
- 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public that happen in workplaces.
As an employer, it’s not just about training your staff to walk in a straight line without falling over. It's about giving them the knowledge of what is potentially dangerous and how to avoid and report hazards. This proactive approach not only significantly reduces accident rates but also underscores the importance of each staff member's role in creating a safer work environment.
One of the main priorities for preventing slips and trips is to educate all people using a building on the importance of keeping designated walkways clear, well-lit, and contaminant-free. Floor coverings should be level and fitted correctly, properly maintained, and light in colour to allow contrast against anything placed on the floor.
The width of walkways should be wide enough to accommodate the amount of foot traffic, and stairs must have steps and risers that are consistent and uniform in size. Stair nosings should be highlighted where necessary, and handrails should be secure and fitted at the correct height.
The technical definition of a slip is inadequate friction between footwear and surface, leading to the foot sliding away from a person's centre of gravity. The untechnical term is stepping in something slippy; the most common reason is a spill or contamination on the floor.
Tripping occurs when a person's foot unexpectedly makes contact with an object, causing them to stumble or disrupt their stepping rhythm. The brain anticipates each step to be of a certain length, and when it's suddenly shortened, it can be difficult to adjust for the next step in such a short amount of time.
Falls are often a result of either slips or trips and can vary in severity.
If only the solution were as simple as ensuring the floor surface provides sufficient grip and removes anything a person can trip over. If this were the case, we could prevent 180,000 workplace accidents a year.
Unfortunately, the root cause of slips, trips, and falls can be a variety of environmental or personal factors, from inadequate lighting to lose handrails.
Most working environments involve more than one person. So Joe could leave a box in a corridor that Sam was unaware of, or Sam could spill a drink on a laminate floor that Joe was unaware of.
Slips, Trips, and Falls training isn’t just about teaching staff to walk safely and avoid falling over. It's about educating them not to leave or create hazards, to recognise and eliminate potential risks, and to understand the importance of reporting such hazards.
Let’s face it—it's natural for people to prioritise and focus on their tasks, and their haste can inadvertently create a hazardous work environment for others. Shockingly, this often results in a high number of slips and trips each year, causing falls and injuries.
The number of injuries reported from slips or trips stands at 180,000 a year. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg, as most slips and trips don’t result in a fall that causes injury.
There are thirty-three million people working in the UK, and on average, each person has five slips or tips at work every year that don’t result in a fall. That’s 165 million slips and trips.
Effective workplace hazards management is essential to reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Businesses should conduct thorough risk assessments that examine all aspects of the working environment, focusing on factors that could lead to these accidents. Identifying areas susceptible to wetness or spills, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and addressing these issues by installing and maintaining anti-slip flooring is crucial.
However, even if a work environment is designed to be as safe as possible, it will only stay that way if no one enters it. Using a workspace can wear down floorcoverings and loosen threshold strips, not to mention the possibility of people inadvertently creating slip and trip hazards as they work.
So, the condition and organisation of walkways must be regularly evaluated. Obstacles that could cause trips, such as loose wiring, uneven flooring, or unnecessary clutter, should be promptly removed or rectified. Illumination plays a significant role in preventing these incidents; hence, ensuring adequate lighting in all areas of the workplace, particularly those with high traffic, can significantly reduce the incidence of accidents.
Engaging with employees is a no-brainer for identifying and addressing less obvious risks that may not be immediately apparent during routine checks. By providing a platform for workers to voice their concerns about potential hazards, companies can encourage a proactive approach to safety and create a culture of open communication and risk awareness.
Another preventive measure is the installation of signage in areas commonly affected by wet floors or other transient hazards. This signage is an immediate visual cue, reminding employees and visitors to proceed cautiously.
Regular maintenance schedules for machinery and cleaning protocols can help prevent the buildup of debris or spills that can cause slips and trips. By implementing these measures, businesses can significantly improve workplace safety, reduce accidents, and cultivate a more vigilant and safety-conscious workforce.