Health, Safety and Environment

HSE "Shattered Lives" (Slips, trips and falls from height) Campaign

19 February 2008

The Health and Safety Executive is running a campaign on slips, trips and falls in the workplace. More than 1,000 workers a month suffer a serious injury following a slip, trip or fall.

In 2006/2007 45 people died and 3351 suffered serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace.

Slips, trips and falls accidents can happen in any workplace and HSE is urging anyone where slips, trips and falls are a risk to get involved in the campaign. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks and help those involved to take simple action that will prevent slips trips and falls. Slips, trips and falls at work shatter lives.

How people act and behave in their work environments can affect slips and trips.

Individual behaviour

• A positive attitude toward health and safety, a 'See it, sort it!' mentality can reduce the risk of slip and trips accidents e.g. dealing with a spillage, instead of waiting for someone else to deal with it.
• What footwear is worn can also make a difference e.g. wearing high heels at work will make you more vulnerable to a slip.
• Things that prevent you from seeing or thinking about where you are going, can also increase the risk of an accident e.g. rushing about, carrying large objects, becoming distracted whilst walking e.g. using a mobile phone

Physical attributes

If individuals have a physical problem that stops them from seeing, hearing, or walking in a regular manner it can increase the likelihood of an accident e.g. vision, balance, age, disability that affects gait and ability to walk.

Footwear can play an important part in preventing slips and trips.

• Where you can not control footwear e.g. pedestrians using a shopping centre thoroughfare. It is vitally important to ensure that smooth floors are kept clean and dry.
• For work situations where you have some control over footwear, but where floors are mainly clean and dry, a sensible footwear policy can help reduce risks. For slips and trips sensible means: - flat, with a sensible heel, with the sole and heel made in a softer material that provides some grip.
• In work situations where floors can't be kept dry or clean e.g. food preparation, the right footwear will be especially important, so a slip resistant shoe may be required. In some circumstances footwear will be considered to be personal protective equipment and will have to be provided to employees free of charge.