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

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To: Health and Safety Enforcing Authorities

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

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Slips and Trips in Food retail

Background

1. Almost 1000 slips and trips major injuries occurred in the retail sector in 2006/07, mostly in supermarkets and other stores that sell food e.g. butchers, bakers etc. It is in the top ten of the poorest performing industry sectors for slips and trips. If slips and trips at work are to be reduced and targets met, making improvements in this industry is key.

Preventing slips and trips within food retail

2. The aim of this initiative is to reduce the number of major injury slip and trip accidents within food retail by raising awareness and improving management of slips and trips; to provide advice on practical control measures and take enforcement action where appropriate.

3. Although thought to slips and trips is usually given in customer areas of the store, especially in supermarkets, employees who work behind counters remain at risk. Focus on food preparation areas, around and behind counters, at entrances and in store rooms.  Where appropriate consider effective management of cleaning systems and building and plant maintenance to prevent slips and trips.

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 food retail. Further interventions by LAs will therefore help to cement messages and encourage positive action to reduce slip and trip accidents.

• Shattered Lives campaign

Action required

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

• conducting targeted inspections within the food retail sector to check awareness of campaign messages and action taken as a result. For large companies, check head office guidelines on preventing slips and trips, ensure guidelines are suitable and sufficient and are being followed by local managers and staff. For smaller companies ensure slips and trips are being assessed and that action taken is suitable and sufficient and being followed by staff. Use campaign material and, where there is in-house catering the stop slips in kitchens pack as aids.
• at companies where cleaning takes place and where slips and trips are identified as a matter of evident concern by investigating and securing improvements.
• ensuring the management of local maintenance activities is being undertaken with consideration being given to slip, trip and falls issues. Check whether individuals have received adequate training for the tasks in hand.

Timing

First half of 2008/09 to follow up campaign.

For more information

Slips and trips web site, contains latest information on all projects and the topic inspection pack – www.hse.gov.uk/slips.

Please note that initiatives are also requested, aimed at the catering and hospitality sector – see LAC 77/5; reducing slip and trip accidents caused by floor cleaning – see LAC 77/3; and building and plant maintenance – see LAC 77/6.

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).