Preventing Slips and Trips in The Workplace
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Posted On :
Jan-12-2012
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Article Word Count :
510
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Keep employees and customers safe by preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Find out how you can keep your business in line with health and safety laws by following a few simple guidelines.
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Your employees have the right to feel safe from slips, trips and falls when on your premises. It is your duty to eliminate hazards and harmful materials which could cause harm to staff. An accident by a slip, trip or fall will cause pain to the injured party, as well as possibly costing your business money. Avoid excessive staff sickness by installing the correct health and safety procedures, equipment and signs to ensure you are complying with the law.
Most slips occur because of spillages or wet flooring, and most can be avoided with proper housekeeping. 95% of major slips result in one or more broken bones, yet it is simple and cheap to carry out the necessary controls to avoid slips. Prevention techniques and controls include prevention of spillages, proper cleaning regimes, ensuring proper footwear, design of the workplace and activities, maintenance of the workplace and effective training and supervision.
The most common causes of slips are usually wet surfaces. Both staff and customers need to be warned of wet floorings with warning signs, and spillages and water should be cleaned up as quickly and effectively as possible. Employees should also be encouraged to wear the correct footwear whilst onsite. Trips occur when your foot strikes an object and you lose your balance. These are often caused by obtruding objects and so it is important to keep access ways clear from obstructions.
If, for instance, you work in a builder’s yard or warehouse, you may want to check for loose pavement slabs, broken handrails and report them or fix them as soon as possible. Plastic strapping, used on packaging, is the cause of a large number of slips, trips and falls. If your work receives parcels which are bound with strapping make sure you supply your workplace with the correct refuse facilities to dispose of such items.
Otherwise, plastic strapping left on the floor can cause a simple hazard, particularly for employees carrying a large item who may not be able to see it. Falls are usually accidents which occur from a height such as down the stairs or off a ladder. Using chairs, tables or other unsuitable items to help reach something should be discouraged by employers at all times. When faced with potentially dangerous situations you should assess the risk involved and use common sense.
Employers have the power to avoid slips, trips and falls and other accidents in the workplace. To avoid slips, trips and falls you can consider the layout of your premises, the lighting and flooring used, consider how you would cope with weather, spills and drainage, supply the right machinery and equipment and provide staff training and signage.
Maintaining health and safety in the workplace is your legal obligation as an employer. There are many disciplinary actions which can take place if you do not prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace which will destroy even the largest of companies. Checking your policies, procedures and staff training must be done regularly to maintain a safe workplace.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Preventing Slips and Trips in The Workplace_132930.aspx
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Author Resource :
The Interactive Health and Safety Company (iHASCO) has been providing you with training programmes for various sectors including education since 1993. The truly interactive training programmes including a session on preventing slips, trips and falls.
For more information about Slips, Trips and Falls Safety Training, visit: www.ihasco.co.uk
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Keywords :
slips, trips, falls, safety,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Fitness Equipment
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