Slips and Trips

With the increasing trend for litigation for the slightest thing, it is more important than ever to be mindful of potential accidents at work. With slips and trips the most common form of accident in the workplace this article gives some guidance on reducing the risks and helping keep all your employees on solid ground...

The vast majority of slips happen on wet floors. Sometimes this is water, but this also covers oil - something which is particularly dangerous in kitchens. Good housekeeping is the best way of minimising the risks of accidents happening. Keep on top of maintenance issues and don't leave them to build up - have a system in place for your staff to promptly report equipment failures and leaks so that you can quickly have the issue sorted. This can be as simple as having an 'issue report form' in reception or the office - or better still - in all high risk areas like the kitchen, cellar and behind the bar. Make sure that they have all been trained to fill in this form and to inform a manager immediately.

Of course the best way to stops slips and trips from happening is to stop contamination from getting on to the floor in the first place. Now that you have great housekeeping in place take a walk around the building and have a look at things that might cause a potential risk. Inside of kitchens try to site 'messy' operations away from walkways and where possible, use splashguards on work surfaces. This will help contain any spillages that may occur. Ensure you have plenty of lids for your pots and pans and that your extraction units are regularly maintained to filter out grease and steam before it can become a hazard.

When spillages do happen make sure your staff have been trained to deal with them immediately. We have all seen the TV adverts when someone has been sued because issues were left...it may be busy, but it doesn't take long to clean up wet floors and ultimately you will be better off. When cleaning floors be sure to keep the spillage to the minimal area possible. All to often I have seen the tiniest beer spillage cleaned up with a huge soaking wet mop that simply results in a more dangerous environment! Use a cloth or blue roll if you can as this will not only soak up the water but also leave the floor dry. If 'clean-to-dry' is not an option make sure you put up wet floor signs until the area is completely dry. If possible put up barriers as well - people are often particularly blind to big yellow warning signs!!

Floors get their grip from the roughness of the material used therefore it is particularly important to ensure that they are cleaned properly. Build up of grease, dirt and debris can reduce the roughness of the flooring and increase the chance of slips happening so make sure you train your staff in the correct cleaning methods. If you are using a specific cleaning supplier you will often find that they will provide free training sessions for you and your staff which will include best cleaning methods, COSHH regulations and the most suitable products to use. More often than not they will also be able to advise you on the most suitable flooring for your premises.

Continuing the walk around your premises be sure to keep an eye out for steps and level changes. Are they easily visible? Do they require a handrail? Signage? Are they properly lit? Do you have any worn carpets? Look out for uneven steps - especially in old pub cellars.

Trips are caused by obstructions on the floor or uneven surfaces. Waiters carrying 5 plates often have less visibility of the floor than normal so try to keep things as free, open and level for them as possible. To aid this have a clear policy about 'foreign objects' in the workplace. No coats or bags in the kitchen, spare papers or stereos with cables running along the floor. Make sure deliveries are stored in the correct place - preferable off of the floor.

One of the biggest problem issues I find with regard to slips and trips is the use of cardboard on the floor in Wash-Up areas to soak up water. PLEASE don't do it. It really don't help and in fact simply adds more potential for accidents to happen. It's much better to take 5 minutes and actually clean up properly as opposed to pilling up cardboard and watching as it gets wet, breaks up and gets trampled around your building! If there is that much water on the floor it probably indicates a larger problem - is your machine leaking? Is it too busy for you one wash-up person so he's rushing and making a mess...look for simple ways of reducing the risks. Sometimes bringing someone in 15 minutes earlier on their shift will stop a backlog of plates and make life easier - and cleaner - all round.

Taking steps to prevent slips and trips at work are part of an employers responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 so its really important that you keep on top of it. Not only this - but it helps to make for a better working environment which ultimately leads to happier staff and customers and higher profits.

For more information and advice you can visit the UK Gov HSE website. You can find the link on BARventures useful website page.

Stay safe and slip free.

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