Watch your step Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls Vennsys H&S Campaign June 2012
‘Heard the one about the bloke who stepped on a banana skin?’ � Slips and trips accidents are often used in cartoons and films to raise a laugh; ask a victim if it was funny 2
Serious Consequences? � Slips and trips are the most common of workplace hazards and make up over a third of all major injuries at work in the UK. Over 10,000 workers suffered serious injury because of a slip, trip or fall last year � Nearly 30% of all accidents that occur in Vennsys are the result of slips trips and falls 3
Sticks and Stones? � You take hundreds of steps every day, but how many of those steps do you take seriously? � By taking a few minutes to understand how slips, trips and falls happen, you can prevent needless and painful injuries 4
Slips, Trips and Falls – The Science 5
Slippery Customers � Leaks and spills of liquids & solids � Wet processes � Unsuitable floors � Unsuitable footwear � Rain and or mud � Unsuitable matting / surfaces � Sloping surfaces � Wet floors following cleaning 6
Trips to Hospital? � Loose floor tiles & paving slabs � Loose and worn mats / carpets � Accumulated waste materials � Steps and stairs � Electrical & telephone socket outlets � Trailing cables, pallets, tools 7
Multiplying Factors � Manual Handling � Rushing about � Distractions � Fatigue � Complacency 8
One Slip Too Many? Typical slip and trip hazards……………… Are there examples of these at your work place? 9
Sticks and Stones? Loose vinyl tiles in a corridor – signs that the floor has been in a poor condition for some time – likely that someone will slip on a loose tile 10
If we all took responsibility for carelessly placed tools Sticks and Stones? and materials then it would be accident numbers that fall, rather than our colleagues 11
Sticks and Stones? Unexpected changes in level can cause people to stumble and fall. Here it would be simple to highlight the ramp with high-visibility tape 12
Sticks and Stones? Steps – This should have yellow highlight at the edges and a sign on the inside of the door 13
Here pedestrian and vehicular traffic have been segregated, which is Sticks and Stones? good, the top hand rail and barrier feet are to be highlighted with yellow to aid visibility. 14
Sticks and Stones? My daddy has a nice safe office job ……. Or has he? 15
Sticks and Stones? Trailing cable: classic trip hazard; can be avoided by use of cable covers or use of retractable cable reel to ensure cable is reeled in when not in use 16
Sticks and Stones? Here a leaking pipe has spilled oil on to a stone floor – good housekeeping systems should be in place 17
Watch your Step – The Movie 18
Take Away Messages � Be aware of your surroundings – wet floors, broken pathways � Take care when using stairs – use the handrail, walk, don’t run � Take action to remove or report hazards and near misses � Remove obstructions and litter on walkways � Report slippery, uneven or damaged floors so they can be repaired or treated � Mop up spills – for example in kitchens, offices and canteens � Use the handrail on stairs � Walk up and down stairs - don’t run � Don’t use mobile phones while on stairs � Considering what you carry whilst using stairs � Is the floor wet and slippery? � Are walkways broken and uneven? � Can a path be used instead of walking on wet, slippery grass? 19
Key Veolia Water Health & Safety Principle No job is so important that you can’t take time to think carefully about doing it safely Zero by choice – Make a safe choice 20
Zero Harm? The Vennsys overarching message for H&S campaigns is taking 5 before you start any task; Take the time to plan your task properly before you start Take time to review your surroundings and identify the hazards Take time to make sure you have the correct controls in place If you cannot ensure the controls are in place or are unsure about the safety of the task ask for help and/or advice Do not be the person at the end of the day going “if only we, think what if! 21
Watch your Step With your Safety Champion review your site identifying and correcting some of the slip trip and fall hazards that put you at risk 22
Any Questions? 23
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