Health and Safety Executive / Local Authorities Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA)

To: Health and Safety Enforcing Authorities

For the attention of: Local Authority Health and Safety Enforcement Managers, Health and Safety Regulators and others

Slips and Trips in Catering and Hospitality

Background

1. Despite considerable effort by HSE and LAs, the number of major injuries caused by slips and trips at work continues to remain stubbornly flat, last year numbering over 10,000, a third of all reported injuries. Some lead indicators, however, show that awareness of the issue is increasing among employers and workers and, building on publicity campaigns such as Watch Your Step and the planned Slips, Trips and Falls campaign ("Shattered Lives"), we need to build momentum to persuade employers to take action and so drive down the figures. This LAC carries forward last year’s initiative in the catering and hospitality sector.

Preventing slips within catering

2. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of slips and trips standards for kitchens amongst duty holders; to improve the management of slips; improve standards of contamination control and cleaning in kitchens; and enforce where appropriate.

3. The 2006/07 RIDDOR statistics reveal an encouraging reduction in the number of major injuries within this sector.  We need to build on this. The latest sector breakdown by SIC and SOC is at Annex 1 and provide information to LAs on where best to target their activity.

4. HSE is running a major publicity led Slips, Trips and Falls national campaign "Shattered Lives" in February/March 2008, supported by sector specific advertising, one of the targets for which is catering and hospitality. Further interventions by LAs will therefore help to cement messages and encourage positive action to reduce slip and trip accidents

• Shattered Lives campaign

5. The Programme team, in consultation with sector, LA and other colleagues, has produced free support material for employers - the Stop Slips in Kitchens pack - comprising good practice guidance, posters and other material which has already been widely distributed to LAs.  Further copies are available from Mark.Thomas@hse.gov.uk, from HSE books or downloadable from www.hse.gov.uk/slips/campaigns. LAs have found it helpful for both health and safety enforcement officers and those engaged in food standards work to have access to the pack for passing on to duty holders during visits and against which to judge standards.

Action required

6. LA health and safety officers are asked to support the campaign by:

• Continuing to distribute copies of the Stop Slips in Kitchens pack
• For businesses that have already received the pack
• Conducting a number of follow up inspections to ascertain compliance with standards
• Taking enforcement action where necessary, making use of the good practice guide in the Stop Slips in Kitchens pack and attached enforcement annex – see http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/77-5app-b.htm
• If further awareness raising is required, hold events where possible.

7. Premises to target should include companies or industry sectors that have high major injury accident rates and fall into the following categories:

• Pubs and bars serving food;
• Restaurants;
• Fast food restaurants and take-aways;
• Hotels with restaurants;
• Catering companies; and
• Holiday centres.

Timing

• All year but preferably front loaded to build on the Slips, Trips and Falls national publicity campaign ("Shattered Lives") taking place in February/March 2008.

Links with other projects 

• Please note that initiatives are also requested, aimed at the food retail sector – see LAC 77/7; reducing slip and trip accidents caused by floor cleaning – see LAC 77/3; and building and plant maintenance – see LAC 77/6.

Other issues to be aware of

• The topic packs on Migrant Working, Duty to Manage Asbestos, and Worker Consultation and Involvement may be relevant and useful when engaging with this sector, and also the Diversity & Delivery pages on the intranet.

Programme contacts

Slips and trips general advice

• Mark Thomas 020 7717 6686 (int 522 6686).

Slips and trips scientific support

• Steve Thorpe HSL 01298 218344 (int 524 8344).
• Paul Lemon HSL 01298 218345 (int 524 8345).

Annex

• Annex A
• Annex B [102KB]
• Annex C [1MB]