How to Prevent Slips and Falls in the Workplace

Statistics on slips, trips and falls in the workplace

Nearly 1 in 3 non-fatal workplace injuries in 2021/22 were caused by slip, trips or falls, according to the latest data available from the Health and Safety Executive. This means that from a total of 565,000 injured workers, 169,500 were injured by slipping or falling at work.

This doesn’t include falls from a height, which is a different category of injury. These numbers are only slip, trips and falls than occur on a level surface.

Slips, trips and falls made up the largest percentage of any non-fatal injury type. This statistic was also the same across a wide range of industries and workplaces, which shows how universal this hazard is.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of workers who needed to take at least 7 days absence from work were injured by a slip or fall. These accidents made up 2% of fatal workplace injuries from 2017 to 2022.

It’s easy to see why preventing slips and falls in the workplace is so important. Luckily, there are some simple changes that can have a huge impact on workplace safety.

What is the main cause of slipping accidents at work?

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are several main reasons people slip at work. These include:

• • • Dirt and spills – Often cause by spills or a lack of cleaning, especially around entrance ways.
    • Cleaning – Although cleaning is needed to address spills and keep places hygienic, cleaning should be done in the right way, using a suitable amount of water and detergent with signs to warn of wet floors.
    • People – Some slips are cause by inappropriate footwear or not moving carefully through the workplace.
    • Weather – Ice, snow, rain and even wet leaves can all cause slipping hazards.

As we can see, there is no one reason why accidents happen in the workplace, but there are some simple changes that can make a big difference to the safety of everyone in the workplace.

How to prevent accidents at work

Slips tend to happen around certain areas. If you’re looking to improve your workplace safety, these are some key areas you might want to focus on. According to the HSE, these are where a large number of hazards can occur.

Stairs and ramps – When people are moving up or down stairs, a simple slip can easily become a much more serious injury.

• • • How to prevent slips? Make sure the edge of stairs are steps are clearly visible. Contrasting nosing on each step can be a great way to achieve this. Anti-slip stair treads will also help reduce hazards. For outdoor stairs that need to be replaced entirely, look into GRP staircases. These are a great low-maintenance and cost-effective solution for non-fire escape routes.

Workplaces – Some types of work will naturally involve more spills than others. For example, a kitchen or food processing facility might have to content with spilled oils or water.

• • • How to prevent slips? Make sure any spills are cleaned up promptly using the right method and materials. It’s also important that the flooring is appropriate to the job. Anti-slip flooring sheets can be applied across an entire floor. Different levels of roughness are available, so it’s easy to find the one most suited to the needs of your workplace.

Entryways – People are coming and going – and bringing in lots of moisture and debris from outside. Because entryways are heavily used, they can quickly become hazardous. Entryways are also one of the first impressions a visitor will have of your business. It’s important to keep them tidy and slip-free.

• • • How to prevent slips? Make sure there is a good quality mat right against the door, so people can clean their shoes as soon as they entry the building. On wet days, be sure to monitor the area regularly to prevent it from getting too messy. Anti-slip strips are also a convenient, low-cost choice to reduce slips without replacing existing flooring.

Outdoor areas – Outdoor areas are open to the elements such as snow, ice and rain. This makes it easy for them to become slippery. Because they are exposed to the elements, over time these areas can also become damaged by weather, leading to loose or cracked paving stones and uneven walkways.

• • • How to prevent slips? Ensure that your outdoor spaces are constructed using materials that won’t rust or decay. GRP is a great choice for outdoor use – it won’t rot or become slimy and slippery like wooden decking and won’t rust like metal walkways. GRP handrails can also be a great choice when trying to improve outdoor safety.

Taking steps to prevent slips and falls at work will not only improve employee health and wellbeing- it will also reduce costs and help avoid expensive legal action.

Evergrip specialise in GRP products for safe access. We provide a huge range of anti-slip flooring materials, handrails and non-slip grating. Please get in touch to see how we can help make your workplace safer.