These cost employers in the U.K. over £512 million a year in lost production and other costs.

Slips and trips are the most common cause of non-fatal major injuries in both manufacturing and service sectors and account for over half of all reported injuries to members of the public.

Legal actions brought as a result of an injury can be extremely damaging to business, especially where the public are involved. Insurance covers only a small proportion of the costs.

Anyone at work, but particularly employers, can help to reduce slip and trip hazards through good health and safety arrangements.

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work. This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks.

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 build on the HSWA and include duties on employers to assess risks (including slip and trip risks) and where necessary take action to protect health and safety.
  

The information above is taken from the Publication – ‘Preventing slips and trips at work’ by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).

Slips and trips are often seen as a joke however in reality nothing could be further from the truth.

Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work. They occur in almost all workplaces, 95% of major slips result in broken bones and they can also be the initial causes for a range of other accident types such as falls from height.

Key messages about ‘slips and trips’

• Slips and trips are serious
• Simple cost effective measures can reduce these accidents

Statistically – on average

• 33% of all reported major injuries
• 20% of over 3 day injuries to employees
• 2 fatalities per year
• 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public
• cost to employers: £512 million per year
• cost to health service: £133 million per year
• incalculable human cost

THIS MEANS 1 SLIP OR TRIP ACCIDENT EVERY 3 MINUTES!!

Most slips occur in wet or contaminated conditions. Most trips are due to poor housekeeping. The solutions to both are often simple and cost effective. A suitable assessment of the risks should identify the necessary controls and these should include (in no particular order):

• prevention of contamination
• management of spillages and cleaning regimes
• effective matting systems
• choice of suitable footwear
• design of workplace and work activities
• maintenance of plant and the work environment
• specification of appropriate flooring
• housekeeping
• effective training and supervision