If you’re wondering how to prevent slips and trips in the workplace don't worry, you're not the only one. The first thing to say is it’s likely, no matter how well you plan from time to time, someone will slip or trip at work.



For businesses, it’s essential that potential trip and slip hazards are dealt with they may be held liable and be forced to pay compensation should the worst happen and work is the one place we are most likely to trip or slip.


The majority of us work in relatively repetitive working situations and we can become distracted and there are often times, especially in construction where workers often have to operate in environments that are unfamiliar to them. It only takes something to be changed and the working environment can become dangerous.


How to avoid slips in the workplace


Probably the most common reason for slips on the job is wet floors from leaks and spills and from inappropriate footwear including work shoes, work boots and safety wellies. Often construction workers work in environments which are open to the elements and rain and ice which can all be additional factors which when combined with the hazardous machinery and chemicals on site and potential for long falls demonstrate the potential dangers from slips.


Remember to put in place hazard avoidance measures to ensure you've got wet floor signs in place (for example a wet floor sign), as well as making sure you provide the right footwear as part of the PPE obligations and be sure to carry out a risk assessment of the types of flooring at the place of work.


How to avoid trips in the workplace


If you look at the trip triangle model, you will review obstructions, how even the floor surface is and what design elements are like, such as irregular staircase risers.


It’s a good idea to determine if walkways are clear, you should do this every time you are about to use a walkway, even if you've walked it several times that day. This is especially important when things are being carried that can obscure the carriers viewed.


Probably the best method and best practice when working on a construction site is to clean as you go. By “cleaning as you go” it’s less likely that you will create trip hazards in the workplace, so basic lessons in teaching your team to tidy-up after themselves is generally a very good bit of training to carry out and will foster a “see it, sort it” mentality in the team to remove trip hazards when they see them.


It’s also important to think about your potential trip hazards when you’re planning out the task. For example, there will be wires on the floor, can it be planned in that those wires will be placed at the side of the room or taped down?


Ultimately how to prevent slips and trips in the workplace is up to you and your team, most accidents are available however if you’re a business owner its likely you will be held responsible for a trip or a slip so it’s important you cover off all the bases when planning jobs and when training your staff.

 

To minimise trips and slips view our full range of PPE products including our range of safety footwear and fall arrest equipment or alternatively please call now to speak with one of our workwear specialists on 01772 786000.