Buyers Guide 2021

S lips and trips are the most common cause of injury at work. On average, they cause 40% of all reported major injuries and can also lead to other types of serious accidents, such as falls from height. Around 90% of these are broken bones. Falls are found in many work settings. A fall can occur during walking or climbing a ladder to change a light fixture, or as a result of a complex series of events affecting an worker high above ground. In fact, falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Preventing falls is not just an altruistic ambition. As well as the incalculable human cost, the financial costs to UK industry are substantial (estimated by the Health & Safety Executive at over £500 million per year). Legal actions following an injury can also be extremely damaging to business, especially where the public is involved. Insurance only covers a small part of the cost. On the other hand, effective remedies are often simple and inexpensive. Slips and trips can actually be designed out of a building. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 puts an onus on employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone affected by their work, so far as is reasonably practicable. This means risk assessments, balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the risk in terms of money, time or trouble. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess risks (including slip and trip risks) and, where necessary, take action to address them. Employees, too, have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others and must use any safety equipment provided. A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about taking sensible measures to control the risks in the workplace. What risks in may lead to slip or trip injuries and what control measures will prevent them? Remember that few workplaces stay the same, so it makes sense to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. The good news is that most accidents are preventable. It is critical to frequently survey your work environment to avoid potential issues. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks. It can be as simple as using doormats to stop rainwater being tracked in and making the floor slippery; or ensuring that spillages are cleaned up promptly. A functioning reporting system in conjunction with a risk assessment ensures that if an accident or near-miss occurs, it is reported promptly. This information is useful to prevent future accidents. Machine Safety Of course, if someone should fall, the hazard may not be limited to the fall itself, but also to where he or she may fall. In the case of working machinery, resulting in much more serious injury. Machines must have adequate safeguards to protect operators and other employees in the immediate work area from hazards created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, sparks and flying debris. The safeguard must prevent hands, arms, and any other part of a worker’s body from making contact with dangerous moving parts. Although machine guards are the first line of defence against injuries caused by machine operation, they can also protect someone falling from much more serious injury, or even death. The guarding around any machinery must be adequate and will detect the penetration of a safety envelope, switching the machine off instantly. HSE guidance Extensive guidance is available from HSE. Following it is not compulsory, unless specifically stated, and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance. Online learning tool The HSE has a free online learning tool, called the Slips and Trips eLearning Package, referred to as ‘STEP’ (www.hse.gov.uk/slips/step/start.htm) . This tool is designed for both employers and workers in all sectors, providing help on assessing and managing slip and trip risks in the workplace. It provides an overview of slips and trips, how they are caused and how to prevent them, from introductory to advanced level. Hazard spotting checklist The hazard spotting checklist (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck4.pdf ) is 38 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk Annual Buyers’Guide 2021 Slips, Trips & Falls SPECIAL FOCUS Don’t be floored by flooring! We all know how easy it is to lose our footing, catch our foot in something or fall off a ladder. But when it happens at work, it’s a whole different ball game. Andy Pye explains