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“Watch Your Step” - Home - Health and Safety Authority

Watch Your Step . preventing Slips, trips and falls at work information Sheet December 2017. Every working day in Ireland six people are hurt in work -related Slips, trips and falls (STF). STF are the second greatest single cause of workplace injuries. Over the years, many STF have tragically been fatal. A greater percentage of STF (than all other accidents) result in absences from work of one month or more. This information sheet will help you understand how to control work -related STF. What does the law require? The Safety , Health and Welfare at work Act requires: safe access, safe systems of work , Butcher slip training, Case Study risk assessment, and a Safety statement.

“Watch Your Step” - Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls at Work Information Sheet 3 of 4 Vehicles Vehicle-related slips, trips and falls are important across all

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Transcription of “Watch Your Step” - Home - Health and Safety Authority

1 Watch Your Step . preventing Slips, trips and falls at work information Sheet December 2017. Every working day in Ireland six people are hurt in work -related Slips, trips and falls (STF). STF are the second greatest single cause of workplace injuries. Over the years, many STF have tragically been fatal. A greater percentage of STF (than all other accidents) result in absences from work of one month or more. This information sheet will help you understand how to control work -related STF. What does the law require? The Safety , Health and Welfare at work Act requires: safe access, safe systems of work , Butcher slip training, Case Study risk assessment, and a Safety statement.

2 A butcher slipped on blood and accidentally started a machine with one General Application Regulations require pedestrian hand. His other hand was caught in the closing surfaces to be: blade. The machine operated because a critical clean, safeguard did not work . Two fingers were fixed, stable, amputated and another partially amputated not slippery, and on his dominant right hand. without dangerous bumps, holes or slopes. Factors in work -related slips, trips and falls Slips account for about half of all slips, trips and falls . Factors in work -related slips, trips and falls include:- Descending stairs, steps Slips, trips and falls (STF) Factors *Over 80% were slips Exiting Vehicles Stairs, Steps Slippery Wet Vehicles Walkways *.

3 Ice Uneven Cleaning* Entrances, *. Surfaces Surfaces Exits Figure 1: Factors in work Slips, trips and falls 1 of 4. Watch Your Step - preventing Slips, trips and falls at work information Sheet Stairs and steps 2. Environmental 1. Operational Controls Every working day one person in Ireland Controls 1. Operational is hurt in a STF on stairs and steps at work . 2. Environmental Controls Controls Descending stairs and steps is a significant factor in accidents. A slip on stairs or steps can be caused by inadequate support for the ball of the foot, as well as a slippery wet surface. 4. Handrail Four interdependent key elements of work 4.

4 Handrail stairs and steps Safety are discussed in the 3. Hazardous Safer work Stairs and Steps webpage and Steps detailed in our Safer work Stairs and Steps 3. Hazardous Steps information Sheet at Figure 2: Key elements of work stairs and steps Safety 1. Operational Controls use rules and policies to prevent 3. Hazardous Steps identifyUsehazardous lift at steps (relevant location). No mobile accidents, for example, by prohibiting hazardous activities. (with workplace checks). Eliminate where if going downpossible, Implement good practices, for example, by showing the or control, slippery, surprise, Use lift at short and irregular (relevant location).

5 No mobile devices if going down location of lifts, the use of handrails. Control problem steps steps. or stairs, for example, by highlighting short or irregular steps. 4. Handrail(s) provide properly sited, contrasting 2. Environmental Controls remove distractions like posters. handrail(s) that permit a power grip. Provide visual cues, such as lighting and provide contrasting HIG. step edges or nosings and contrasting handrails. No Mind the step Mind the Slippery surfaces step Slips account for almost half of all STF. The other half are trips, falls and other STF accidents such as missteps. People generally slip on level surfaces when these surfaces are wet or contaminated.

6 For new surfaces, you should consult our advice at the Selecting Surfaces webpageCrouch-and-sight at before selecting/. installing new surfaces. Regular Steps Irregular Step Irregular Step Crouch-and-sight Regular Steps Irregular Step Irregular Step For existing surfaces, you must check the condition of the surface and rectify slippery surfaces. See the advice Irregular in our Slippery Surfaces steps webpage. Irregular 3. Pedestrian 2. Contamination steps 1. Identification - map and identify areas where a slip risk exists. If in doubt, arrange for a measurement of actual slipperiness. 2. Operational Controls - deep clean to attempt to restore slip resistance.

7 Control spills and try to prevent them. Use mats to 1. Slippery prevent slips. Use slip -resistant footwear if needed. Communicate Surface risks, including warnings and properly used signs. 3. Structural Changes - change the surface to a slip -resistant one. 1. Get envelope, 2. Mark rise and going 3. Check all s It may be possible to treat the surface to make it slip -resistant A4 ream or similar of bottom step for differen (using abrasive treatments, coatings, acid etching, strips, films). Figure 3: Key elements 1. Get envelope, inand 2. Mark rise level going work slips 3. Check all steps A4 ream or similar of bottom step for differences The risk of slips can be reduced by improving drainage.

8 2 of 4. Watch Your Step - preventing Slips, trips and falls at work information Sheet Vehicles Icy Conditions Cold icy weather can double the number of slips, trips and Vehicle-related slips, trips and falls are important across all falls. December and January are high risk periods. work sectors, not just the transport sector. Exiting vehicles was a factor in almost half of all vehicle STF work injuries. You should plan and implement the WALCS control system detailed in our Ice Slips and Falls web section at 1. Weather monitor weather conditions using resources Vehicle such as Met ireann snow or ice or low temperature.

9 Warnings. Accident 2. Activities take great care if walking on ice and wear the Case Study correct footwear (spikes or studs). Be aware of the advice for driving (such as avoiding unnecessary trips) and for A 34 year-old father-of-two jumped from the clearing snow and ice. lowest step of his HGV cab, landed on a rock and blew out his knee. He wore a cast from 3. Locations consider high-risk locations such as third- thigh to ankle for six months and had a chronic party premises, car parks, external pedestrian areas and limp afterwards. entrances. 4. Communication ensure two-way communication to advise staff of hazards and allow them to notify changing Significant factors and important controls are mentioned conditions.

10 Below, listed on our Vehicles STF webpage and detailed in our 5. Sample Dynamic Risk Assessment continually assess Vehicle Slips, trips and falls information Sheet. the working conditions and activities and ensure that your control measures are appropriate. Floor cleaning Wet floor cleaning causes slips. Figure 4: The people who slip are generally Three points not Cleaners and Helpers but of contact/. other persons at the workplace. control on vehicle steps Signs alone are not an effective control. Employers should use the risk assessment approach in our Floor Wet Cleaning web section at Figure 5: Cordon System for wet floor cleaning 1.