HOW SAFE ARE YOUR FLOORS?

Slip, Trips and Falls are the largest cause of accidents in all sectors of Europe. In member states of the EU it has been identified as the main cause of accidents resulting in more than 3 day absences from work.

Requirements set in European Directives such as Workplaces, Safety Signs, Personal Protective Equipment and the Framework for Safety that is relevant to the prevention of slips and trips and include:

“Ensuring that work place floors are fixed, stable and level, has no bumps, holes or slopes and are not slippery.”

The minimum requirement set by the directives has been implemented in national legislation that may include additional requirements. More information at can be found here.

Regulations for the UK

  • Management of Health & Safety at work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment).
  • Work place (Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1992).
  • Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992, which deals with the maintenance of the workplace, cleanliness and waste matters, floors and the management of traffic routes.

Concerns

  • Floors are or can become slippery.
  • Potential for contaminants.
  • Can spillages and contaminant be dealt with quickly?
  • Use of unlit or badly lit areas, paths or yards.
  • Correct method for cleaning.

Examine

All employers have to assess risks to employees and others who may be affected by their work; e.g. visitors and members of the public. This helps to find out what needs to be done to control the risks. It also needs to satisfy legal requirements and any current legislation.

  1. Look for slip trip hazard
  2. Deciding might be harmed
  3. Consider the risk
  4. Record your findings
  5. Regularly review the assessment

Regulations to be complied with:

The regulations are supported by an approved code of practice. The code states that “surfaces of floors and traffic routes which are likely to get wet or to be subject to spillages should be of a type that does not become unduly slippery.” A slip resistance coating should be applied were necessary.

  • GLC Bulletin 43 (second series) item Number 5 March 1971 slip resistance of floors stairs and pavings.
  • BS 5395 (Reference 3) can be interpreted to reinforce the GLC Guidelines.
  • UK Slip Group Regulations 2000.
  • Road Note 27. Instructions for using the portable skid tester. Road Research Laboratory 1969.

But how do we define slippery?

Use of the Pendulum indicating safe or unsafe conditions using recommendations of the UK Slip group 2000.

However if a slip/trip/fall occurs on your floors and you haven’t had COF readings done, how can you ascertain the level of safety?

The Tortus II

The Pendulum

Non-slip tiles with safe COF readings when new may prove totally unsafe if laid poorly or with grout residues not properly removed.

If regular readings (every 13 weeks) are taken then you will have on file a historic record of the floors safety.

This is described as showing due diligence. However, if you don’t have the readings and your floors fail after a slip/trip/fall accident, you may be found guilty of negligence. Almost certainly your insurance premiums will rise dramatically!
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