In Derbyshire 711 people were seriously injured as a result of a slip, trip or fall from height at work last year. Nationally, 61 people died and more than 14,000 suffered serious injury. These shocking statistics prompted the launch of an awareness raising campaign from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Derby College has more than 1,500 staff in a variety of roles and caters for more than 20,000 students. The staff take part in regular health and safety days to ensure they are aware of the consequences of slips, trips and falls.
55% of all accidents in education are caused by a slip or a trip. Last year, almost 2000 major injury slip and trip accidents in the education sector were reported to HSE, 571 of which were to employees, a 5% rise on the previous year. 90% of major accidents resulted in a broken bone causing considerable personal distress and a significant amount of time away from work.
Pam Stanley, Health, Safety & Environment Manager for Derby College, said:
"We were keen to join the HSE to back their Shattered Lives Campaign. Simple steps can reduce the chance for slips, trips and falls in the workplace and we're keen that other organisations follow our lead. In the last twelve months 34% of our recorded accidents were slips, trips and falls, and we take the consequences of these kinds of accident seriously.
"At Derby College we ensure that staff working within the College have a major role to play in preventing slips and trips as part of their regular health and safety training sessions and toolbox talks. The HSE's STEP e-learning package is promoted via our internal H&S website and the Slip Assessment Tool (SAT) has been used successfully in a proactive way to prevent slips occurring.
"The Shattered Lives Campaign and the resources available such as the STEP tool really do help Derby College to contribute to positive outputs in developing the workforce of the future as part of the Learning and Skills Council's Safe Learner Initiative by highlighting the hazards within the workplace and the simple control measures that can be put in place to reduce accidents caused by slips, trips and falls."
Andrew Turner, HSE Principal Inspector for Derbyshire said:
"Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £700 million pounds. But what these figures don't reflect, is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.
"Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases fatalities. 'Shattered Lives' will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don't assume 'somebody else will sort it out'.
"Slips, trips and falls also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity. Irrespective of the size of the business and the job that you do, it could happen to you."
Michael Kay, Environmental Health Manager for Derby City Council said:
"There are lots of ways for people to reduce slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Everyone has a part to play from the people who manage the staff to the people working for the company. Employers should ensure they put an effective management system in place, carry out regular risk assessments and make sure they are aware of the relevant laws and regulations. Staff need to be fully aware of the consequences of slips, trips and falls and be aware that their actions could make the difference between someone getting injured or not. So if you see a spillage - clean it up. Don't leave it till someone slips on it. The figures for major injuries in Derby and Derbyshire are high so we're keen to back the Shattered Lives campaign and help to reduce these numbers."
Fatalities and serious injuries arising from slips, trips and fall incidents cost British society an estimated £700 million last year.
The campaign is targeted at seven sectors where there is a prevalence of such injuries: food retail, catering and hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, building and plant maintenance, construction, healthcare and education, although the risks can occur in any workplace.
To help businesses take preventive action the HSE launched STEP - an interactive learning package that provides practical guidance to help users tackle slips, trips and falls in their workplace. The tool is free and can be accessed online at HSE Website.
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