Minimise slip risk

Munro Instruments suggests five more practical actions that can be taken to guard against slip accidents:

• Deal with liquid and non-liquid spillages promptly: Timely action should be taken to clean-up spillages. Liquid contamination, such as a spilt drink, is a frequent cause of slip accidents. However, non-liquid contamination can also pose a risk. This risk is illustrated by a recent incident in which a woman was left with life-long injuries after slipping on a grape in Tesco. Tesco was ordered to pay €1.4 million in compensation following this accident.

• Install entrance matting: Areas such as entrance halls are particularly prone to contamination. On a rainy day, pedestrians entering a building with wet shoes will quickly create a slip hazard. Mitigate this risk through the installation of entrance matting, of sufficient length, designed to absorb moisture and dirt from shoe soles.

• Implement appropriate cleaning routines: Not done properly, cleaning itself can increase the likelihood of a slip. To avoid this issue, make sure that an appropriate detergent is used and that the floor is left dry after cleaning. No soapy products should be left to dry on the surface of the floor. Should the floor become wet again, this soapy layer will become a serious hazard.

• Ensure adequate lighting: Poorly lit areas can prevent pedestrians from identifying the slip characteristics of a floor.  This is important, because identification allows people to adjust their behaviour/step to minimise the risk of an accident. Install lighting to enable floor-users to identify slip hazards.

• Use appropriate footwear: In certain areas, such as commercial kitchens, it can be difficult to keep floor surfaces clean and dry. When faced with this difficulty, it may be appropriate to supply employees/contractors with slip resistant footwear. This measure does not negate the need for the measures discussed above, but it does provide greater protection in areas inherently prone to slipperiness.

Finally, don’t forget that those with a responsibility for preventing slips should regularly test floor surfaces to ensure that the risk is well managed.  The British Pendulum Tester is the UK Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) preferred test method.