Health and Safety Executive

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Slips, trips and falls

What you need to know

During 2007/08 523 people were injured in the woodworking industry by a slip, trip or a fall.

Here’s an example:

Case study: a typical slipping accident in a woodworking factory

What you need to do

To reduce the risk of falls, workers need to take care while storing and retrieving materials stored at height as well as during maintenance work.

You can reduce slipping and tripping hazards by encouraging workers to keep  gangways and work areas tidy and clear up offcuts and wood dust regularly basis. This can also reduce fire risks.

Find out more

You can find more detailed guidance about preventing slips, trips and falls from height in HSE’s websites Falls from height and Slips and trips.

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Updated 2012-12-31