Why are falls in the workplace still common?
Posted on 3rd Oct, 2016 | By Lorretta Tatham
Slips, trips and falls are still responsible for the majority of workplace injuries. In fact, statistics from RIDDOR reveal that more than a third of workplace injuries are a result of slips, trips and falls. Falls result in an estimated 567,000 working days lost at work. Furthermore, RIDDOR also reported that falls are the most common cause of fatalities – accounting for nearly a third of fatal injuries to workers. However, there’s no need for workplace falls to be so common. With proper health and safety training and better awareness at work, employees can minimise the risk of falls and injury at work.
How do falls happen?
Falls are commonly a result of misjudgement but other factors can increase the risk of falls too.
Falls typically occur when:
- Inadequate access products are used
- Employees fail to wear PPE and safety harnesses
- Weather conditions make surfaces and access products slippery
- Incorrect footwear is worn
Falls are a risk when working at any level – you don’t have to be working from an elevated height. Slips and trips can lead to falls too and are a major cause of workplace falls.
Same-level falls are often a result of:
- Wet or oily surfaces or spills, which haven’t been clearly identified
- Weather hazards, especially common in the winter months with ice, snow and wet leaves
- Uneven walking surfaces, resulting in a trip and potentially a fall
- Inadequate working conditions such as poor lighting, clutter and obstructed views
Minimising the risks of falls at work
It’s easy to prevent workplace falls; with better awareness of risks and health and safety training, employees can help protect themselves and others.
The safety training courses we recommend include:
- Working at Height Training Course
- Scaffold Tower Training Course
- Harness & Lanyards Training Course
- 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work Course
Our training courses include a mix of practical training and theory, ensuring attendees leave with a comprehensive awareness of risks and how to maximise safety.
For more information on any of the course offerings listed above, give our Course Enquires team a call today on 01292 615517.
Housekeeping measures are also important to ensure a safe working environment for all. We recommend:
- Cleaning up spills and wet areas immediately and clearly signposting spillages if they can’t be cleared right away
- Mopping or sweeping debris from the floor
- Clearly signposting risks – such as fragile roofing or changes in the height of flooring
- Keeping work areas clean and tidy
If you regularly use ladders or access equipment at work, we highly recommend our Ladder Safety Inspection Services. Designed to keep your ladders in good working order, regular inspection services will ensure your ladder perform at its best when you’re working at elevated levels. Discover our Ladder Safety Inspection Services today.