Taking care of the carers

Norfolk and Norwich Hospital backs HSE campaign to keep staff safe

Date:

20 March 2009

Release No:

HSE/E/150:09

Staff at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital have today pledged their support to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the latest phase of its "Shattered Lives" campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the work place.

And while staff at the hospital had no worries about the excellent standard of care they provide, they were keen to ensure they had safety high on their agenda and invited HSE inspectors into their premises to offer advice on how to avoid accidents as part of the Shattered Lives campaign.

Nationally, a total of 61 people died and more than 14,000 suffered serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall from height in British workplaces last year - in the East of England there were 6 fatalities and more than 3,781serious injuries.

The second phase of the Shattered Lives campaign, launched in February, aims to highlight the devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the workplace and to encourage employers, in consultation with their employees, to 'take action'.

Eddie Scoggins, Principal HSE Inspector, said: 'It's great that staff at the hospital are backing the campaign and doing their bit to help get the message across.

'Over half of the major accidents are caused by slips or trips. People often view slips, trips and falls as trivial incidents, even comical but they are no joke to those who suffer major injuries, a lifetime of disability, time off work and in the worst cases death. The financial cost can be huge while the personal price in pain and inconvenience cannot be under-estimated.

'We want to raise awareness of how these incidents can happen and how they can be easily avoided by taking common sense actions and precautions at no or little cost. If you spot a hazard in your workplace deal with it, don't assume that somebody else will.'

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust takes the issue of slips, trips and falls very seriously and continually strives to reduce the number of incidents occurring involving staff, patients and visitors.

Slips, trips and falls are investigated, wherever possible, in conjunction with SERCO, the Facilities Management Company that manages the cleaning, catering, portering and maintenance issues within the Hospital. Together we try to find workable solutions in order to manage the risks.

Lynne Ainge, Lead Health and Safety Adviser at the Hospital said:

'We attempt to prevent spillages and if they do occur to have a rapid response to clean them up to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Additional matting is ordered for doorways and all staff are informed during mandatory training sessions not to carry mugs and cups of beverages without lids through hospital corridors.

'We also encourage staff to report any trip hazards they see to the SERCO Helpdesk in order to arrange the necessary intervention to prevent slips, trips and falls.'

Last year the hospital recorded a total of 107 incidents involving staff slipping, tripping or falling.

Eddie Scoggins (HSE) added: 'I recommend that anyone looking after health and safety in their organisation visits our new interactive learning package - STEP - which provides practical guidance to help users tackle slips, trips and falls in the workplace, at www.hse.gov.uk/slips/step/index.htm.'

Fatalities and serious injuries arising from slips, trips and fall incidents cost British society an estimated £700 million last year.

The campaign is targeted at seven sectors where there is a prevalence of such injuries: food retail, catering and hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, building and plant maintenance, construction, healthcare and education, although the risks can occur in any workplace.

Advice on Working at Height can also be found at HSE's WAIT section of the website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls.wait/index.htm.

[ENDS]

Notes to editors

1. Phase 1 of the shattered lives campaign was launched in February 2008
2. For further information about slips, trips and falls and the shattered lives campaign, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives
3. Phase 1 of the shattered lives campaign was launched in February 2008
4. For photographs contact Catherine Kimberley at COI News & PR East.
5. The regional breakdown is as follows:

Fatal injuries to workers as a result of slip/trip or fall broken down by Local Authority during 2007/08p

Major and Over 3 day injuries to employees as a result of slip/trip or fall broken down by Local Authority during 2007/08p

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR East