In this blog, we will learn why slips, trips and falls training is important. Every employer has a duty of care to their employees. They should ensure the health and safety of their staff, even when working remotely. Employees also have a responsibility to ensure their own health and safety while at work.
Each year, a significant number of people are injured as a result of slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace. This often leads to work absences at a cost to the organisation. Accidents can also lead to life-changing injuries, or in more serious cases, death.
Slips, trips and falls at work are preventable. Training your staff in slips, trips and falls enables them to identify hazards, take actions to prevent accidents, and recognise the legislation outlining their role and responsibility in ensuring safety and health at work.
Slip, trip and fall hazards
Many slip, trip and fall hazards are preventable, so it’s essential that everyone can recognise them and take action to remove the hazard or reduce the risk. Slips can occur as a result of spillages, papers on the ground, wet floors and so on. Some examples of trip hazards include uneven ground, cables on the floor, hidden steps or obstructions in passageways. Falls can be classified as falls on the same level or falls from height. Falls can occur as a result of poor lighting, not holding the handrail on stairs, inadequate railings, walking along a ledge or low open windows.
Some industries and workplaces might have a higher risk of falls than others, for example working on a construction site would be considered high risk. However, all industries will have some level of risk. It is essential for employers to carry out risk assessments, identify hazards and put control measures in place to reduce or prevent the risks. Slips, trips and falls training will inform your team about the hazards and risks, as well as the day-to-day actions they can take to remove hazards and reduce the risk.
Benefits for your organisation
The Slips, Trips and Falls eLearning course outlines everyone’s responsibility to prevent slips, trips and falls. It will help your staff to recognise potential hazards and risks and take measures to reduce slips, trips and falls in the workplace. It might also lead to:
- Less injuries and accidents at work
- A safer workplace
- Less absenteeism because of injury
- A more empowered staff
- A proactive mindset to ensuring health and safety at work
- A greater understanding of everyone’s role and responsibility in preventing injuries at work
