Do you think slips and trips are the major cause of injuries in the workplace? Please give some simple steps to reduce slip and trip hazard.

Gentlemen,

I believe that, every region/area has different hazards. For example the most common hazard in the Gulf Countries is the man-machine interface. While it seems in other countries fall, slips and trips is the major hazards. In my opinion, to control the slips and trips hazards we need to implement the world class housekeeping.

 

Regards,

Ibrahim 

Good Housekeeping Practices,Reduce Wet Surfaces and Avoid Creating Obstacles in Walkways

HI MR. Romas Ozeneckas 

this is control measures for ladder , 

 

the ladder is 1st thing , so please read carefully!

 

1.     There must be a stairway or ladder at points of access where there is an elevation break of 19 inches or more

2.     Stairways with four or more risers, or higher than 30 inches, must be equipped with at least one handrail.

3.     Stair angle on horizontal must be between 30 and 50 degrees. 

4.     Stairways landings must be at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide at every 12 feet or less of vertical rise

5.     Unprotected sides of landings must have standard 42 inch guardrail systems

6.     All ladders shall be erected safely

7.     All ladders shall be free from grease or oil to avoid slipping

8.     All ladders shall be fixed on leveling ground

9.     Metal ladders shall not be used a in areas near from high or low voltage(wooden ladder is recommended)

10.Ladders shall conform to be placed at an angle of 75o, and extend at least 0.9 meter (3 feet) above the stepping-off point.

11. Areas around ladders must be kept clear of material and debris

12. Ladder shall be provided with steps which meet the standard

13.Ladder with broken legs or have any defect shall be dismissed from site and provided with warning sign

14.Ladders shall be stored in ventilated area to avoid humidity and insects affect

15.Pre-check shall be done before using ladder

16. A ladder must be of the proper length for the job to be done

17. Ladders, which are wet, shall not be used near electrical equipment with exposed live conductors.

18.  Aluminum ladders shall not be used where there is a likelihood of contact with materials harmful l to aluminum, such as caustic liquids, damp lime, wet cement, etc.

19. Before mounting a ladder, personnel shall check their shoes for freedom from grease, oil or mud.  They shall always step through, not around, the rail extensions at the top of the ladder

20. A ladder shall always be placed so that there is space behind each rung or cleat for a proper foothold

21.Ladders shall extend at least one meter above landing.

22. Ladders shall be properly secured or held at bottom by personnel to prevent movement. 

 

 

 

 

Poor housekeeping is one of the main factors behind slips and trips, the other is trying to change the mindset of the employee to maintain a safe work area.

Put hazard signages in the workplace and give advises or notice to everyone working in that place before they start their work and tell and check every personnel if they are wearing their PPE.

Heal What can employers do to prevent slips and trips? Risk assessment You must manage the health and safety risks in your workplace. To do this you need to decide whether you are doing enough to prevent harm. This process is known as a risk assessment and it is something you are required by law to carry out. A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about taking sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace, for example using doormats to stop rainwater being tracked in and making the floor slippery. You are probably already taking steps to protect your employees, but your risk assessment will tell you whether you should be doing more. Consider what risks in your workplace may lead to slip or trip injuries, and decide what suitable and effective control measures will prevent these types of accidents. You then need to put these control measures into practice. Concentrate on the real risks – those that are most likely to cause harm. Think about how accidents could happen and who might be harmed. You can do this by: ■ asking your employees what they think the hazards are, as they may notice things that are not obvious to you and may have some good ideas on how to control the risks; ■ using the hazard-spotting checklist and slips and trips mapping tool to help you identify problem areas (see ‘Find out more’ at the end of the leaflet); ■ referring to the ‘Practical steps to prevent slips and trips accidents’ section below. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip. Make a record of your significant findings and what you have in place to prevent them. If you have fewer than five employees you don’t have to write anything down but it is good practice to keep a record. Few workplaces stay the same, so it makes sense to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. More guidance on risk assessment can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk. Managing for health and safety A good management system will help you identify problem areas, decide what to do, act on decisions made and check that the steps taken have been effective. Guidance on managing health and safety can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/managing/. Health and Safety Executive Preventing slips and trips at work: A brief guide Page 3 of 5 Practical steps to prevent slips and trips accidents There are many simple ways to control slips and trips risks and prevent accidents in your workplace. Here are a few examples. Stop floors becoming contaminated ■ Use entrance matting. ■ Fix leaks from machinery or buildings. ■ Make sure plant and equipment are maintained. ■ Design tasks to minimise spillages. ■ Plan pedestrian and vehicle routes to avoid contaminated areas. Use the right cleaning methods ■ Make sure that your cleaning method is effective for the type of floor you have. ■ Don’t introduce more slip or trip risks while cleaning is being done. ■ Leave smooth floors dry after cleaning or exclude pedestrians until the floor is dry. ■ Remove spillages promptly. ■ Have effective arrangements for both routine cleaning and dealing with spills. ■ Use the appropriate detergent mixed at the correct concentration. Consider the flooring and work environment ■ Check for loose, damaged and worn flooring and replace as needed. ■ Floors likely to get wet or have spillages on them should be of a type that does not become unduly slippery. ■ Make sure lighting is sufficient and that slopes or steps are clearly visible. ■ Keep walkways and work areas clear of obstructions. Get the right footwear ■ Where floors cannot be kept clean and dry, slip-resistant footwear can help prevent slip accidents. ■ Trial footwear first to make sure it is suitable for the environment and for those who will be wearing it, ie comfort and fit. ■ If footwear is supplied as personal protective equipment (PPE), it must be supplied free of charge to employees. Think about people and organisational factors ■ Consider how work is organised and managed, eg to avoid rushing, overcrowding, trailing cables. ■ Make sure employees are involved in the decisions that affect them, eg choice of PPE footwear or a change in cleaning methods. Health and Safety Executive Preventing slips and trips at work: A brief guide Page 4 of 5 What can employees do to prevent slips and trips? In all workplaces: ■ If you have an accident or a near miss, make sure you report it to your employer promptly. They can use this information to prevent future accidents. ■ If you see a spillage, clean it up or make arrangements for it to be cleaned. ■ Report any damaged floors or mats. ■ Play your part and keep the workplace tidy. ■ If you see items on the floor where someone could trip over them, remove them or arrange for them to be removed or for the situation to be made safe. ■ If you are given PPE, wear it and look after it. Report any faults or damage to your employer and make arrangements for a replacement. ■ Tell your employer about any work situation that you think is dangerous, or if you notice that something has gone wrong with their health and safety arrangements.

 

Trips and Slips are important workplace hazards but  it possesses fall hazards also.6 out of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. 

Trips and falls can be prevented by following methods; 

•          Design of workplace & work processes

–        Design workplace & processes to prevent potential exposures to slip & trip hazards

•          Good housekeeping

–        Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter

•          Safe walking practices

–        Follow safe walking practices & routes

•          Wearing proper footwear

–        Wear proper footwear with good traction

Thanks for inv, housekeeping, préventive maintenance to aall leaking sources, stf hazard hunt and encourage reporting such situations. Plus visiual checks by workers of spécific area

Yes.

·         Floors must not have holes or slopes, or be uneven or slippery so that people might be put at risk

 

·         Floors in the workplace must be kept free from obstructions and from any article or substance that may cause a person to slip, trip or fall.

Should be proper house keeping on daily basic

Thank you for invitation. Waiting for expert answers in that field.