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HSE portal courses - Controlling movement risks in the workplace (OSH004)

Module 1: Preventing slips and trips at work

1.2 What can employees do to prevent slips and trips?

In all workplaces:
  • If an employee have an accident or a near miss, he/she must report it to the employer promptly, so the employer can use this information to prevent future accidents.
  • If an employee see a spillage, he/she must clean it up or make arrangements for it to be cleaned.
  • Employees must report any damaged floors or mats.
  • Employees must play their part and keep the workplace tidy.
  • If an employee see items on the floor where someone could trip over them, he/she should remove them or arrange for them to be removed or for the situation to be made safe.
  • If employees are given PPE, they should wear it; look after it; report any faults or damage to the employer and make arrangements for a replacement.
  • Employees must tell the employer about any work situation that they think is dangerous, or if they notice that something has gone wrong with their health and safety arrangements.
1.3 Sources of information on slips and trips risks:
Information on slips and trips risks can be obtained from:
  • Enforcement bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (website: http://www.hse.gov.uk) and OSHA (website: http://www.osha.gov).
  • Professional bodies such as IOSH (website: http://www.iosh.com) and IIRSM (website: http://www.iirsm.org).
This course utilizes public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence.