Accidents these days bring a whole host of complications for owners and managers, such as the risk of prosecution, personal injury claims and adverse publicity.

Slips and trips on the same level is the single biggest cause of accidents in the UK and accounts for 55 per cent of the accidents in the food and catering sectors.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place specific duties on employers to secure the health, safety and welfare of all employees 'so far as is reasonably practicable' and to assess the risks to employees and others who may be affected by their activities. This includes slips and trips.

 

So what can businesses do to reduce accidents and protect their position?

Flooring is one of the major factors in slips and should always be chosen with care. A recent Court of Appeal case involving a care worker who slipped on a wet patch has given businesses greater liability for claims in this respect.

The case emphasises the need for floors to be suitable for the conditions in which they are used. So floors which are subject to regular spills should not be of a type which becomes slippy when wet.

Companies should also look again at their slips and trips prevention risk assessments, identify what factors could lead to accidents and implement measures to control these. Improving staff awareness on spill procedures and good housekeeping practices will also help to reduce the risks.

Accidents do happen – but less frequently where good health and safety measures are in place.

Tips to avoid slips
Ensure that flooring is suitable for the area for which it is being used.  Non-slip flooring for areas which could be subject to spills.

Remind staff regularly of the importance of good housekeeping measures.

Develop a spill control procedure and ensure staff are aware of what to do when a spill occurs.

Implement a comprehensive cleaning regime, ensuring the cleaning products are suitable for the floor.

Conduct regular inspections, checking the condition and obtaining maintenance where required.