Workplace slips and trips cost an estimated £500 million per year, and sometimes cause serious injuries. Health Estate Journal reproduces guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive on how correct floor cleaning can prevent accidents.
When is someone likely to slip or trip?
Almost all slips happen when floors are wet or dirty (for example contaminated with water, oil, food debris, dust etc). If the floor has a smooth surface like standard vinyl, glazed ceramic tiles, varnished wood and some metal floors, even a tiny amount of contamination can present a real slip problem. Trips generally take place on damaged, uneven and badly laid floors or because obstacles have been left where people do not expect to find them.
What can be done to prevent slips and trips?
Control measures can be divided into:
All three are needed to prevent slips and trips.
Management
Cleaning, as with other areas of health and safety, requires a good management system to help those responsible identify problem areas, decide what to do, act on decisions and check the steps have been effective.
A good system should involve:
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