Avoiding Slips, Trips And Falls At Your Business

Avoiding Slips, Trips And Falls At Your Business

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As an employer you should make health and safety a priority in the workplace. Your employees have the right to feel safe from slips, trips and falls when on your premises. It is your duty to eliminate hazards and harmful materials which could cause harm to staff. Slips, trips and falls cause a lot of pain and cost businesses a lot of money. Avoid excessive staff sickness by installing the correct health and safety procedures, equipment and signs to ensure you are complying with the law.

The majority of falls are caused by contamination; spillages or wet flooring. These are easily avoided with appropriate housekeeping. 95% of major slips result in one or more broken bones, yet it is simple and cheap to carry out the necessary controls to avoid slips. Prevention techniques and controls include prevention of spillages, proper cleaning regimes, ensuring proper footwear, design of the workplace and activities, maintenance of the workplace and effective training and supervision.

The most common causes of slips are usually wet surfaces. Both staff and customers need to be warned of wet floorings with warning signs, and spillages and water should be cleaned up as quickly and effectively as possible. Employees should also be encouraged to wear the correct footwear whilst onsite. Trips occur when your foot strikes an object and you lose your balance.

These are often caused by obtruding objects and so it is important to keep access ways clear from obstructions. Trip hazards can occur indoors and out so no matter what your work premises consists of there are hazards to look out for. If, for instance, you work in a builders yard or warehouse, you may want to check for loose pavement slabs, broken handrails and report them or fix them as soon as possible.

Packaging materials can cause a large number of slips, trips and falls. If your work receives parcels which are bound with strapping make sure you supply your workplace with the correct refuse facilities to dispose of such items. Otherwise, plastic strapping left on the floor can cause a simple hazard, particularly for employees carrying a large item who may not be able to see it. Falls are usually accidents which occur from a height such as down the stairs or off a ladder. Using chairs, tables or other unsuitable items to help reach something should be discouraged by employers at all times.

When faced with potentially dangerous situations you should assess the risk involved and use common sense. Remember, as an employer it is you who can control the risk of injury in the workplace. To avoid slips, trips and falls you can consider the layout of your premises, the lighting and flooring used, consider how you would cope with weather, spills and drainage, supply the right machinery and equipment and provide staff training and signage.

As a requirement of the law for all businesses it is an essential tool in your day-to-day running of the company that you keep everyone onsite safe. There are many disciplinary actions which can take place if you do not prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace which will destroy even the largest of companies. Checking your policies, procedures and staff training must be done regularly to maintain a safe workplace.

About the Author:
The Interactive Health and Safety Company (iHASCO) has been providing you with training programmes for various sectors including education since 1993. The truly interactive training programmes including a session on preventing slips, trips and falls.

For more information about Slips, Trips and Falls Safety Training, visit: www.ihasco.co.uk



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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