Slips, trips and falls in the workplace

Accidents At Work, General / News 5th Nov

Slips, trips and falls are among the most common accidents at work in the UK affecting every sector from construction to office environments. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips and falls account for nearly 40% of workplace injuries in the UK each year as a result of which employees suffer injuries which often lead to time off work, medical expenses and long-term health issues.

Employers have a legal obligation to ensure a safe working environment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and they are required to address hazards and minimise risk of injury to their employees.

At Aston Knight Solicitors we have many clients who have experienced slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Solicitor Andrew Thompson recently settled a case for a lady who was injured when she slipped on an ‘oily’ spillage.

Case Study

£10,000 received following a slip/trip accident at work

Miss T was injured at work when she slipped on an ‘oily’ spillage and hit the ground causing, amongst other more minor injuries, a sprained left wrist and psychological trauma.

Due to fears surrounding job security Miss T did not instruct Aston Knight until 3 months prior to the expiry of the 3-year statutory limitation period. Many solicitors would have declined instructions at such a late stage, but Aston Knight were not deterred, and we got to work immediately.
Within 8 weeks of being instructed we received an admission of liability from the Defendant and an agreement to extend the statutory limitation period. This gave us more time to investigate Miss T’s injuries by arranging for her to be seen by an Orthopaedic Consultant and Psychologist.

The settlement of £10,000 was a great result for this client who, prior to instructing Aston Knight, had almost resigned herself to not making the claim through fear that it had become too late.

View all success stories

Common causes of slips, trips and falls

Wet or slippery floors: caused by spills, leaks, and adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or ice can create slippery surfaces
Cluttered walkways due to poorly stored materials or equipment
Unsuitable, uneven or damaged floors: damaged or poorly designed flooring can cause employees to trip or loose their balance
Poor lighting
Icy conditions
Inadequate signage of warning of hazards
Inappropriate footwear: shoes with little grip or unsuitable for the work environment increase slip risks
Obstacles and clutter: loose wires, boxes and rubbish left in walkways can cause a tripping hazard
Unsafe practices when cleaning floors

What types of injuries are caused by slips and trips?

Slip, trip and fall accidents in the workplace can lead to a range of injuries, varying from minor bruises to serious life changing injuries:

Sprains and strains often affecting wrists, ankles and knees
Fractures and broken bones
Bruising and soreness
Cuts and lacerations
Damage to tendons and ligaments – most commonly sprains of the wrist or ankle
Back injuries – falls can lead to back injuries such as slipped discs and spinal cord injuries
Head injuries, including concussion and even potentially life-threatening brain injuries.

How can employers prevent slip and fall injuries at work?

Employers play a crucial role in preventing slip, trip and fall accidents in the workplace and your employer is required to take all reasonable steps to protect you and your colleagues:

1) Conduct risk assessments

Under The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 employers are legally required to assess and manage risks in the workplace, including those that can cause slip, trips and falls.
Encourage employees to report any slip, trip or falls immediately

2) The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires employers to keep floors and traffic routes free from obstructions;

Implementation of good housekeeping practices: routine cleaning schedules, clear storage practices will help minimise slip and tripping hazards
Use of proper flooring and non-slip mats
Ensure there is adequate lighting
Install handrails to provide extra supports for employees
Regularly inspect and maintain flooring, lighting and walkways
Prepare for adverse weather conditions such as gritting to prevent slip and falls

3) The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers have a duty to inform employees of risks:

When floors are wet due to cleaning or a spillage, clear signage should be placed to warn employees of the hazard
Provide training – regular training sessions help employees to understand the importance of slip, trip and fall prevention and recognising potential hazards.

4) Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must ensure that appropriate PPE such as non-slip footwear is provided and used when necessary.hse

Who can claim?

The duty of care owed to employees applies equally to non-employees who have been injured while working on site such as contractors, agents and self-employed workers and therefore if you fall into this category, you can still make a claim.

If you have suffered an injury at work, please contact our office and speak to one of our experienced solicitors who will be happy to assist you.