Are you at risk, what you can do?

Without sensible safeguards, you will be at risk of a slip or trip. And it’s not necessarily that you have to be doing anything out of the ordinary either to be at risk. The activities causing over 60% of all accidents are: walking or running on premises or outside (not including car parks and sports activities), teaching activities (in the classroom, workshop, lab etc.) and climbing/descending up/from equipment (e.g. vehicles, stairs). But slips and trips can be prevented as long as everyone plays their part, as outlined below.

• Health and safety managers and representatives
• Head teachers, teachers, teaching assistants, lecturers, office staff and school secretaries
• Catering and Kitchen Staff
• Cleaners & Caretakers
• Facilities managers, Procurers, PFI providers, Business Managers

Health and safety managers and representatives

1. Assess slip and trip risks inside and outside of buildings and take action
   • Causes of slips and trips
   • Prevention of slips and trips
   • ResourcesGuidance
   • Checklist
2. Educate others in how to prevent slips and trips
   • Case studies
   • Presentations
   • Newsletter
3. Attend a workshop to gain a fuller understanding of problem
   • Workshops & Diary

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Head teachers, teachers, teaching assistants, lecturers, office staff and school secretaries

1. Take responsibility
   • Small spills on smooth floors are a slip hazard e.g. if you spill coffee on the floor/in the corridor don’t just leave it, clean it up to leave floor dry.
2. Report problems straight away to the right person
   • e.g. leaks, spills, food debris, bad lighting, obstacles in walkways, uneven flooring and potholes.
   • Put out cones on visible hazards
3. Wear the right shoes
   • You are less likely to have a slip or trip accident if you wear sensible shoes.
4. Use designated walkways, don’t use shortcuts
   • Don’t block walkways
   • Store bags and work equipment safely
   • Avoid trailing wires
5. Encourage students to follow same procedures

For a newsletter, case studies, presentations and posters go to the resources page.

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Catering and Kitchen Staff

1. Prevent contamination from getting onto the floor
   • Avoid clearing food waste from the work surface onto the floor
   • Before moving trays and baskets, shake off drips or leave to drain.
2. Clean up spills straight away
   • For small spills spot clean with self absorbent paper
3. Deep clean at the end of each day
   • Use the right cleaning method for the floor
   • Use the right cleaning product in the right quantity
4. Stop people from walking on smooth wet floors
   • Dry the floor after cleaning to reduce drying time
   • Barrier off or close off the wet area
5. Wear the right shoes
   • The right non slip footwear can significantly lower the risk of slips in kitchens
6. Report flooring problems

For more information read:

• Preventing slips and trips in kitchens and food service Catering Information Sheet
• Slips and trips: The importance of floor cleaning

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Cleaners & Caretakers

1. Follow your floor-cleaning and floor equipment instructions
2. Clean up spills straight away
   • For small spills spot clean with some absorbent paper
   • Use a cone to highlight the spill until it is removed
3. Deep clean at the end of each day
   • Use the right cleaning method for the floor
   • Use the right cleaning product in the right quantity
4. Stop people from walking on smooth wet floors
   • Dry the floor after cleaning to reduce drying time
   • Barrier off or close off the wet area
   • Remove cones as soon as the floor is dry
5. Don’t create new hazards when you clean
   • Trailing wires from vacuum cleaners are a trip hazard
   • Bin bags in walkways are a trip hazard
6. Report maintenance issues - floors and cleaning equipment

For more information read:

• Slips and trips: The importance of floor cleaning [PDF 60kb]

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Facilities managers, Procurers, PFI providers, Business Managers

1. Get the design right
   • Provide designated walkways in the right place
   • Prevent rainwater etc. from entering the building e.g. Canopies over doorways leading outside, better entrance matting
   • Provide sufficient storage facilities
2. Fit the right floor & keep it maintained
   • Non slip floors needed for foreseeably wet or greasy areas
   • Keep floors level and free from holes and other trip hazards
   • For more information refer to-Assessing the slip resistance of flooring
3. Put in the right floor cleaning system
   • Spot cleaning is better for small spills
   • Different floors need different cleaning systems e.g. a nylon brush works better than a mop on non slip floors
   • Ensure it is carried out at the right time of day
   • Ensure cleaning systems do not create new hazards e.g. keep people off smooth wet floors
4. Provide the right cleaning equipment in the right place. Stops cleaners using shortcuts
5. Check cleaning and maintenance procedures are being followed
   • Cleaners given appropriate training
   • Supervision ensures procedures are followed
   • For more information - http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/causes.htm and Slips and trips: The importance of floor cleaning [PDF 60kb]
6. Supply sufficient rubbish bins
7. Attend workshop to gain a fuller understanding of problem
   • Workshops & Diary

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