Slips, Trips & Falls

Tony Saunders

Merseyside Trade Union Education Unit

Health and Safety Representatives

Overview of Health & Safety Rep. TrainingThe Law and Safety RepsBasic Facts about Slips Trips and FallsLegal and Other Standards for Prevention

and ControlWhat Can Safety Representatives Do?

Overview of Health & Safety Rep. Training

Unions appoint or elect Health and Safety Reps.

Induction training by own unions10 day Stage 1 Course10 day Stage 2 CourseAdvanced TrainingDiplomas and Certificates

The Law and Safety Reps

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 Appointment of Safety Reps

Who appoints Safety Reps Who can be a Safety Rep How Many Safety Reps

The Functions of Safety Reps Investigating and making representation to employer Inspections Involving and informing members and getting their support Consultation with and information from employer Information from and liaison with enforcement officers

Basic Facts about Slips Trips and Falls

Reference to TUC survey of Safety Reps Slips and trips are a major problem to 84% of workplaces

surveyed In one year 15,000 slipping and tripping accidents – over 400

resulted in broken bones 44% of accidents reported by Safety Reps were in health sector. Members of the public are just as likely as employees to have an

accident Substances on floors(43%) and Obstructions (31%) are the main

causes of slips and trips Most slips and trips occur on stairs and steps (29%)followed by

shop floor (28%) and outside (27%)

Legal and Other Standards for Prevention and Control

SRSC Regulations 1977 Safety reps’ rights and consultation

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 General duties of employers and employees

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Obligations of employers to make suitable and sufficient

assessment of risks Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations 1995 Requirements for employers to notify the enforcing authority as

and when required

What Can Safety Representatives Do?

Membership Awareness Posters and leaflets Reporting concerns

Surveys and Inspections Undertake specific survey Use regular inspections to speak to members and examine

statistics Risk Assessment

Ask for copies of risk assessments Ask for risk assessments to be carried out

Slips, trips and falls policy and procedure Urge employers to have procedures in place to prevent slips,

trips and falls at work.

Direct and Indirect Causes

Direct Courses Unsafe Workplaces Unsafe Workers Unsafe Acts

Indirect Causes Lack of Training Lack of Supervision Lack of Investment Lack of Commitment