Safety priorities for preventing slips, trips and falls
Contents
1. Safety priorities for preventing slips, trips and falls
Slips, trips and falls are a significant problem affecting every workplace, from factory floor to office. Following the information in this leaflet will reduce the risk of these hazards having costly outcomes for your business.
Because of the high potential for slips, trips and falls to cause lost time injuries, WorkSafe has identified this as one of the areas to be given priority when our inspectors visit your workplace.
In their inspection, our inspectors will be looking for the key elements detailed overleaf. Following the same checklist yourself will help you identify any shortcomings in your procedures or training and correct or update them; thus getting you started on meeting your health and safety requirements.
Our inspectors will focus on whether the workplace is operated so that activities can be undertaken in a safe and health manner without slipping, tripping and falling.
In looking at safety in relation to preventing slips, trips and falls and all workplace safety matters, please remember the three ThinkSafe steps:
- Spot the hazard
- Assess the risk
- Make the changes
2. Checklist
Control measures
- Have all practicable control measures been implemented and maintained to eliminate or reduce risk associated with slipping, tripping and falling resulting from factors such as actions (eg: carrying things), floor surfaces, general housekeeping, access/egress factors and the environment (eg: lighting)?
- Have the risks been reduced as far as practicable?
- Have all the significant risk factors been addressed?
- Are the controls reviewed after accidents have occurred?
Risk assessment
- Have all significant hazards been identified and assessed?
- Have the assessments evaluated all the factors that affect the risk?
- Have employee concerns been addressed?
- Have all slips, trips and falls-related accidents been adequately investigated?
Information, instruction and training
- Has everyone in the workplace been provided with adequate information, instruction and training on slips, trips and falls hazards to enable them to carry out their tasks safely?
- Have key persons in the workplace been trained in how to identify slips, trips and falls hazards, and assess and control risks?
- Does induction training for new employees cover slips, trips and falls?
- Has appropriate training been provided to employees in slips, trips and falls risks and identified controls?
3. More information
For more information on slips, trips and falls access the Code of practice here or contact WorkSafe via email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au or telephone 1300 307 877.