Firms urged to protect against trips, slips and falls

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new marketing campaign to help reduce the number of accidents in the workplace.

The HSE reported that 40 workers a year lose their lives due to trip, slip and fall accidents every year. The report also shows that accidents at work cost UK companies over £800 million a year.

The “Shattered Lives” campaign is a marketing initiative for health and safety at work, to highlight the slight changes small business owners can make to their workplace as a way of preventing accidents.

The head of the HSE’s work and environment division, Peter Brown, commented that making improvements to the workplace “doesn’t need to cost the earth and we are encouraging people to visit the Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get simple and cost effective solutions.”

Mr Brown went on to say that taking simple steps can help manage trips and falls at work, and consequently bring down the number of annual accidents.

As part of the campaign the HSE have also produced a new Work at Height Access Equipment Toolkit (WAIT).

The WAIT toolkit aims to provide companies such as construction firms with practical advice and guidance on the different factors to consider when selecting access equipment for working at height. It also gives guidance on how to work at height safely as well as information on the different types of access equipment available.

Brendan Barber, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), commented:

“Every one of the 40 deaths caused by slips, trips and falls were preventable. The key is proper risk assessment and control measures as highlighted by the HSE. Unions will warmly welcome this practical hard-hitting campaign and will be raising the issue with employers wherever and whenever they can.”

16/02/10