Slips, trips and falls on the level

6.1 Slips, trips and falls can have a serious impact on the lives of employees and they can also impact on those being cared for. People who live in care homes can be particularly vulnerable to injuries from falls. See Chapter 7 for advice on falls from height.

6.2 Many factors can cause slips and trips. The practical measures needed will vary in different situations. Some of the main causes of slips and trips accidents include:

˜ slippery or wet surfaces caused by water and/or other fluids;

˜ slippery surfaces caused by dry or dusty floor contamination such as lint or

talcum powder;

˜ obstructions, both temporary and permanent;

˜ trip hazards, uneven surfaces and changes of level, eg unmarked ramps; ˜ poor levels of lighting.

Key legislation

˜ Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 ˜ Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

What you need to do

Controlling the risk

Residents

6.3 You should identify any individuals who are at particular risk and then put suitable and adequate control measures in place. Factors to consider include the following:

˜ Age-related physiological changes – age can increase the risk of falls,

ie deteriorating vision, impaired judgement and memory, altered mobility and increased frailty and dependence. Falls may arise from weight shifting, trips or stumbles.

˜ Medical conditions – certain conditions may increase the risk of falls, ie strokes,

dementia, fits and faints, low blood pressure, and urinary infections.

˜ Medication – certain medications may increase the risk of falling. Older people

may have increased sensitivity to medications such as psychotropic drugs, sedatives, analgesics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, diuretics and antihypertensive drugs, which can all cause particular problems.

Employees

6.4 When assessing the risk to employees, you should:

˜ look at how work is organised and managed, eg to avoid rushing,

overcrowding, trailing cables;

˜ consult employees on measures to control risks, eg when choosing the most

appropriate protective footwear or when there is a proposed change in cleaning methods.

Environmental factors

Floors

6.5 Slip-resistant flooring should be used in bathrooms, kitchens or where surface contamination cannot be effectively controlled. Change in floor surface, eg stepping from carpet to a smooth floor or vice versa, can cause stumbles and slips,

especially for people with impaired vision or mobility. Where floor levels change, they should be clearly identified and hand rails should be considered. It should be noted that highly reflective materials may be a barrier for people with dementia. This may sometimes be a desired outcome if it helps to ensure their safety.

Contamination

6.6 Contamination can include food, liquids, urine, talcum powder, leaves and dirt from outside, and cleaning substances etc. Consider how you can prevent floors getting contaminated so far as reasonably practicable. Design tasks to minimise spillages and, if they cannot be prevented, control the contamination, eg by containing and effective cleaning.

Obstacles

6.7 Floors should be kept free from trip hazards and obstructions, eg avoid trailing wires and ensure equipment is stored away when not in use, rather than left in walkways.

Organisational factors

Cleaning

6.8 Decide how, when and how often floors should be cleaned and how spillages can be quickly and effectively dealt with. You need to decide on the most effective cleaning method and avoid introducing more slip or trip risks. For example, smooth floors left damp by a mop are likely to be extremely slippery and access to these areas should be restricted until they are dry. Spillages or localised contamination should be spot cleaned to reduce the risk of widening the contaminated area. Where traditional mopping takes place, there should be adequate segregation until the floor is dry. Effective training and supervision is essential.

Footwear

6.9 Where your risk assessment shows there is a risk of slips and trip injuries, consider providing staff with suitable footwear for the environment or work activity. For example, where floors are likely to be contaminated (eg food preparation or wet rooms), staff may require slip-resistant footwear. Cleaners are likely to be exposed to wet floors on a regular basis and appropriate footwear should be provided. It may be appropriate to advise residents about suitable footwear, depending on individual factors.

Human factors

6.10 Have a positive attitude towards health and safety – a ‘see it, sort it’ mentality can reduce the risk of slips and trips accidents, eg dealing with a spillage, instead of waiting for someone else to do it.

Key points to consider

˜ Have you assessed the risks and put control measures in place?

˜ Is the flooring in different parts of your premises suitable for the activities carried

out there (eg non-slip flooring in potential wet areas)?

˜ Do your floor cleaning methods create additional slip risks (eg leaving the floor

˜ Are arrangements in place to ensure that floor surfaces are adequately

maintained and free from trip hazards?

˜ Where residents are assessed as being at high risk of slips, trips and falls, are

individual factors (taking the environment into account) included in the care plan, and are measures to reduce the risk in place?

Find out more

HSE’s webpage on slips and trips in health and social care: www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/slips

HSE’s slips and trips website: www.hse.gov.uk/slips

Preventing slips and trips at work: A brief guide Leaflet INDG225(rev2)

HSE Books 2012 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg225.htm

Designing interiors for people with dementia University of Stirling