Work Accidents: 10 Simple Ways To Prevent Slipping Accidents At Work
By: Jessica Parker | Posted: 02nd February 2010
Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of accident in the UK - 16-19% of all accident claims are for slip compensation. If you slip or trip at work and injure yourself, you may be entitled to claim slip compensation. However, as an employee or an employer, you should do everything you can to ensure a safe working environment which prevents accidents at work like slips from happening in the first place. Here are the top 10 tips for preventing slipping accidents at work.
1. Don't run
Try not to run in the workplace as this can cause slips and other work accidents. Ask members of staff and any visitors to stick to walking to prevent hurting themselves or somebody else.
2. Be wary of mats and rugs
Mats and rugs become a health and safety hazard when they become worn and curled at the edges. Stray threads, uneven edges and lumps and bumps in rugs and mats commonly lead to accidents at work like slips, trips and falls. Try to eliminate these where possible to provide a safe, even surface to walk on, and make sure any remaining rugs, mats or other flooring are securely fixed and flat, particularly at the edges.
3. Mark or remove any changes in floor level
Steps or changes in floor level, particularly where they may seem unexpected, are a health and safety hazard but there are a number of ways you can reduce the risk they can cause in the workplace. Better lighting, bright floor markings, hand rails and tread marked ramps are all ways to make changes in floor level a lot safer and prevent step-related work accidents.
4. Correct bad lighting
Low or poor lighting can increase any potential hazards there are, so improving lighting will reduce the risk or accidents at work. Even lighting across all floor levels, including stairs, is also important, as this makes differences in flooring more clear.
5. Wear sensible shoes
Work accidents like slip and trips are often caused by high heels, badly fitting shoes or other kinds of hazardous footwear. Members of staff should be aware that sensible, well-fitting shoes with a strong sole and tread will reduce the risk of accidents at work.
6. Secure any wires or cables
Wires and cables in walkways or trailing along the floor are often the cause of work accidents. Cable guards should therefore be used to reduce this hazard and wherever a wire is temporarily crossing a walkway this should be signposted and people made aware of the tripping risk.
7. Make slippery surfaces safe
Some floors are slippery and need to be treated to prevent slipping. Naturally slippery floors sometimes need to be changed to remove the hazard, but often they can be chemically treated to prevent slipping accidents.
8. Clear up spillages straight away
Spills need to be cleared up straight away to prevent slips and a sign should alert people to the hazard until it is properly dealt with. Alternatively the walkway should be diverted until the area is clear and dry.
9. Signpost changes in floor surface
Some workplaces will have significant changes in flooring from one area to another and moving from, for example, a wet surface to a dry one is a common cause of accidents at work. Always alert people when there is such a change.
10. Remove potentially hazardous objects
Objects like heaters and handbags are a tripping risk and should not be left in walkways. Store these things away and make sure staff are aware that they mustn't be left where people are walking.
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Tags: threads, ramps, stairs, working environment, flooring, work accidents, health and safety, footwear, rugs, safety hazard, accident claims, slips, high heels, poor lighting, fitting shoes, even surface, lumps and bumps