Think on your feet: Preventing slips and trips at work

We all trip up the stairs from time to time, and although it’s embarrassing, there is usually no real damage, and we are only left with a bruised knee or ego. However, such an accident at work could have potentially devastating impacts. In fact, slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of injury at work, on average causing 40% of all reported major injuries. In a workplace with different hazards everywhere, even a minor incident could have disastrous consequences.  As an employer, are you doing all you can to reduce the risks? 

There are a number of simple ways to control and prevent such accidents in the workplace. The HSE website provides some insightful tips and hints: 

Stop floors becoming contaminated

• Fix leaks from machinery or buildings,
• Make sure plant and equipment are maintained
• Design tasks to minimise spillages

Consider the flooring and work environment

• Check for loose, damaged and worn flooring and replace as needed
• Make sure lighting is sufficient and that slopes or steps are clearly visible
• Keep walkways and work areas clear of obstructions

Think about people and organisation factors

• Consider how work is organised and managed, for instance encourage workers to avoid rushing, stop overcrowding, remove trailing cables
• Make sure employees are involved in the decisions that affect them, including the footwear choice  
• If footwear is supplied as personal protective equipment (PPE), it must be supplied free of charge to employees

Get the right footwear

• Where floors cannot be kept clean and dry, slip-resistant footwear can help prevent slip accidents
• Trial footwear first to make sure it is suitable for the environment and for those who will be wearing it, test functionality, comfort and fit

Think feet! 

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations stipulate that, where there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, PPE must be supplied. Safety footwear falls within this, and footwear must be selected for the risk identified. 

The footwear must be appropriate for the environment being worked in. For example, footwear that performs well in wetter conditions might not be suitable on oily surfaces. Do your staff have to work outside, with unpredictable weathers? Do they have to work inside, with flooring that tends to become slippier throughout the working day? Can footwear keep up with the pressures of the work setting? Some of these questions may seem obvious, but it’s vital to consider all factors. 

Fortunately, footwear is now available for many different work environments. Choosing a quality manufacturer that guarantees protection and matches specific needs is key to happy feet at work. 

Better safe than sorry 

Safety footwear must comply with the ISO safety standard: ISO 20345:2011, ensuring all features such as materials, toe caps, insoles and slip resistance are manufactured with adequate protection.

Key features in protective footwear to prevent slips and trips include anti-slip, waterproof, breathable, ventilating and insulating material. With many products, you tend to get what you pay for and, in this respect, footwear is no different. 

The importance of footwear as a core element of protection should never be underestimated, especially as instances of slips and trips remain so high.