Slips and trips are the most common hazards in the workplace and make up over a third of all major injuries. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have produced the following statistics.
Slips and trips are responsible for, on average:
Over a third of all reported major injuries
20% of over-3-day injuries to employees
2 fatalities per year
50% of all reported accidents to members of the public that happen in workplaces
Cost to employers £512 million per year (lost production and other costs)
A significant number of major injuries within the hospitality sector
More major injuries in manufacturing and in the service sectors than any other cause.
To tackle slips and trips successfully in your workplace you need to put in place an effective management system, carry out regular reviews of your risk assessments and make sure you are aware of the relevant laws and regulations.
14 actions to take to avoid slips, trips and falls in your restaurant
All staff should be trained in the 14 following measures to reduce the risk of slips and trips in the workplace:
- Make sure the floor is clean and dry
- Reporting any leaks
- Clear up spillages immediately in both back of house and front of house areas
- Display of slippery floor signs
- Importance of good cleaning of floors to prevent a build up of grease
- Dispose of waste materials
- Remove any obstructions particularly around stairways
- Avoid causing trailing cables
- Store goods safely
- Make sure flooring materials are level and secure
- Highlight any slopes and changes of levels
- Ensure you have adequate lighting
- Wear sensible footwear
- Reporting accidents or near misses
The Health and Safety Executive have developed an e-learning tool for slips and trips, which is suitable for employees and managers. The package can be accessed via this LINK and if you need a complete Health and Safety e-learning course check our CIEH Level 2 Health and Safety in the workplace online course at iTrainingcourses.
For other online food safety and health and safety courses, please visit our online training website www.itrainingcourses.co.uk and for classroom training, please contact our training department via email training@foodalert.com or phone 020 7244 1919.