Accommodation & Hospitality Services STAFF BRIEFING – No 9 Slips, Trips & Falls

Accommodation & Hospitality Services Slips and trips are the most common of workplace hazards and make up over a third of all major injuries. Over 10,000 workers suffered serious injury because of a slip or trip last year. It is the single most common cause of injuries at work Anyone at work can help to reduce slip and trip hazards through good health and safety arrangements. Effective solutions are often simple, cheap and lead to other benefits. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must be able to move around safely.

Accommodation & Hospitality Services 1.Correct use of any safety and cleaning equipment provided. 2.Cleaning methods and equipment must be suitable for the type of surface being treated. 3.Carry out all necessary maintenance work promptly (you may need to get outside help or guidance). 4.Lighting should enable people to see obstructions, potentially slippery areas etc, so they can work safely. 5.Floors need to be checked for loose finishes, holes and cracks, worn rugs and mats etc. 6.Obstructions and objects left lying around can easily go unnoticed and cause a trip. Try to keep work areas tidy and if obstructions can’t be removed, warn people using signs or barriers. Cardboard should not be used to absorb spillages as this itself presents a tripping hazard. 7.Footwear can play an important part in preventing slips and trips. This is especially important where floors can’t be kept dry. Cleaning and maintenance

Accommodation & Hospitality Services How you can prevent slips and trips: Spillage of wet and dry substances Trailing cables Miscellaneous rubbish e.g plastic bags Rugs & Matts Poor Lighting Slippery surfaces Change from wet to dry floor surface Changes of level Slopes Smoke/steam obscuring view Unsuitable footwear Please speak to your line manager for more information on the PPE you are provided for your role.

Accommodation & Hospitality Services How do we inform people that the floor is wet? Why is it important that these signs are ONLY out when the floor is wet? Who’s responsible for removing these signs when the floor is dry?

Accommodation & Hospitality Services Questions 1.Where are slips, trips or falls most likely to occur? 2.If you had to clean a floor and you know for a fact that, when wet, it becomes more dangerous what actions could you take? 3.You’ve spotted some carpet tiles that have come loose or a paving stone that is broken and sticking up; what should you do? 4.What is the first thing you should do if you find obstacles lying around in walkways?

What responsibilities do you have for equipment under the law? What can I do to ensure that I lower the risks as much as possible? If a person is injured at work is it only the business that is liable or can an individual be held responsible? What kind of injuries can occur? Further Discussion Points What should I do if I witness a slip, trip or fall?

Accommodation & Hospitality Services NOTES/QUESTIONS

Accommodation & Hospitality Services NAMEDATESIGNATURE Attendee List