The most common cause of non-fatal major injuries in manufacturing and service industries, as well as to the general public, are slips and trips. Current figures suggest that injuries resulting from slips and trips in the work place cost employers more than £280 million per annum in lost production and other costs. The current trend is towards legal claims for any injury; insurance only covers a small part of the costs incurred in the event of a claim. It is therefore good practice to reduce slip and trip hazards through efficient health and safety arrangements.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA 1974) requires that all employers ensure the health and safety of all employees, visitors to their premises and anyone who may be affected by the work of their companies. This requirement includes taking measures to control and remove slip and trip risks. Manufacturers and suppliers of flooring and floor maintenance products have a duty of care to ensure that their products are both safe to use by operatives and are safe in use. Full information concerning their use and health and safety (in accordance with EU directives) must be provided to enable operatives to use the products safely and effectively.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (MHSWR 1992) extends the requirements of the HSWA 1974 and requires employers to assess risks and where necessary take action to guarantee the health and safety of employees and others.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (WHSWR 1992) require floors to be suitable for purpose, in good condition and free from obstructions so that people are able to move around safely.

All employers must carry out a risk assessment on each work process and product used to determine the risk to employees and others affected by the work of their companies. This enables employers to determine what they must do to comply with the requirements of law. The Health and Safety Executive recommends a five step approach to risk assessment, slip and trip risks should always be among those assessed.

Step 1: Look for hazards that might cause a slip or trip accident around the work place, including uneven floors, trailing cables, areas that are slippery due to chemical or oil spills, both recent and long term that have led to impregnation of the floor.

Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how. Who enters the workplace? How are they at risk?

Step 3: Consider the risks. Are the precautions already taken enough to deal with the risks? What other precautions are required to deal with the risks?

Step 4: If there are five or more employees record the assessment finding.

Step 5: Regularly review the risk assessments. Consider any significant changes and whether the precautions need to be changed.

Ensure that the conditions are right from the start – it will make dealing with slip and trip risks easier. Choose only suitable floor surfaces, ensure light levels are sufficient, take precautions to minimise the risk of chemical and oil spillages, properly plan pedestrian and traffic routes and avoid overcrowding.

Ensure that the methods, equipment and cleaning products are suitable for the surface being treated. Obtain advice from the manufacturer or supplier for the most appropriate cleaning method. A risk assessment should be carried out on the cleaning methods, equipment and products, including health, safety and environmental aspects. An appropriate deep cleaning system should be used to remove oil and hydrocarbon impregnation from floors and thereafter an effective housekeeping regime should be adopted to maintain a safe substrate. Care should be taken not to create additional slip or trip hazards whilst cleaning and maintenance work is being carried out.

This should be adequate (at least to British Standard requirements) to enable people to see obstructions and potentially slippery areas.

Care must be taken in the choice of floor, especially if it is likely to become wet, contaminated with chemicals, oil or dust during work processes. Floors should be checked for loose finishes, holes, cracks, oil and hydrocarbon impregnation, worn rugs and mats.

Obstructions should be removed as soon as practical and good housekeeping should ensure that objects are not left lying around where they could cause a trip.

These can play an important part in the prevention of slips; suitable footwear should be provided by employers to give protection to their workers.