Injuries from slips, trips, and falls are on the rise in the workplace according to an HSE report. In 2018, slips, trips, and falls accounted for 25% of injuries reported in the workplace; however, this number has increased to 33% in 2021.

The majority of injuries related to slips, trips, and falls tend to be bruised limbs – namely joints, ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. If the head comes into contact with the ground, it can lead to a traumatic brain injury and could be life-changing. In 2019, 880 workers died in falls, and 244,000 were injured badly enough to require days off of work.

What are slips, trips, and falls?

• Slips occur when the foot loses its grip on the walking surface.
• Trips occur when an obstruction on the walking surface causes someone to stumble or fall.
• Falls (at the same height) occur when somebody slips or trips which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground, floor, or other lower level.

How to prevent slips, trips, and falls from occurring

Risk Assess

All workplaces require a risk assessment. For organizations that employ 5 or more people, this needs to be documented. Within your workplace risk assessment, slip, trip, and fall hazards should be identified and the findings communicated to your employees.

The risk assessment will include control measures. However, preventative measures such as workplace inspections should be carried out to identify potential slip and trip hazards.

An independent health and safety audit is a great way to identify workplace risks and areas for improvement which may be overlooked by internal staff.

Housekeeping

• Ensure the floor is suitable for the work being carried out.
• If you have carpet or linoleum, ensure that no edges are sticking up that could cause a trip hazard.
• Ensure lighting is suitable for the work being carried out and the floor can be seen clearly.
• Maintain tidiness including all walkways and corridors – especially those leading to emergency exits and areas around common areas such as photocopiers.
• Store items correctly – especially if they are stored on shelves – to make sure nothing falls.

Don’t Forget Home Workers

Employers have the same duty of care for their home workers as they do their onsite workers. With more people working from home, whether in a full-time or hybrid capacity, it is more important than ever to ensure their safety.

One of the most important things you can do is train your workforce to recognize potential hazards, what to do when they identify them, how to report near-misses to prevent them from happening, and why reporting accidents prevent them from happening again.

We can help

Cardinus provides an easy solution to these challenges with a variety of eLearning courses including slips, trips, and falls, where workers learn at their own pace and apply what they have learned to either their workplace (office) or their home working environment.

If you are unsure of your requirements, Cardinus also has a number of specialized health and safety consultants who will provide tailored advice to you and your organization.

Click here to receive a free demo and get started today, or simply email [email protected] for more information.