5,580 people in England and Wales had accidental falls mentioned as an underlying cause of death on their death certificate in 2017, according to new research by Safety Services Direct.
The study analyzed recent ONS data on mortality from accidental falls and found 15 people on average died each day in England and Wales because of these mishaps, with many instances occurring in the workplace.
Considering these findings, Nisha Lawrence, Operations Director at Safety Services Direct, gives 10 actionable tips to help keep your employees safe against accidental falls:
“Our research shows that all ages can be affected by accidental falls, so putting necessary health and safety practices in place in the workplace to avoid injuries and potential fatalities are vital. The irony is that fall injury are some of the easiest to prevent in the workplace”.
There are simple measures that can be put into place to significantly reduce these risks, such as:
- Keep walking surfaces clean and avoid cluttering
When walkways are clear, the risk of injury greatly reduces. With an unobstructed path, the chance of a person falling over an object reduces, as does the potential of a spill that could create a dangerous slipping hazard.
- Lighting
A workplace with effective lighting inside and outside of the building helps reduce the chances of an accident.
By illuminating areas that are commonplace for trips and falls to happen, you can shine a light on hidden dangers. This will reduce any chance of an accident.
- Signage
Using health and safety signs in the workplace that are clear and well-placed helps identify areas with potential problems.
Placing a sign that indicates a step, gap or an uneven ground brings attention to hazards and increases their awareness and attentiveness. Reflective tape can also highlight issues.
- Stairs / Handrails
Stairs are one of the most common areas for falls to happen in the workplace, so additional care is required here to prevent injuries.
Keep all stairwells well-lit and clear of obstacles, ensure handrails are fitted where possible, use reflective tape used to mark the top and bottom of the stairs, and fix any unsecured carpets or rugs that you have had to remove from the stairs.
- Footwear
Make sure your workforce knows clearly what attire is needed, including which safety footwear is appropriate for the conditions they are working in.
- Step ladders
Providing accessible equipment such as ladders and step ladders helps employees reach heights safely. By ensuring options are available, this reduces the possibility of an employee being hurt by climbing on chairs or tables.
- Manage wires
Wires that are out in the open can create obstacles for employees and the public which could cause injury. Cables should be put behind walls or under carpets, so they remain hidden.
Install all power sources, servers, internet connections in places that can be easily accessed, to avoid cables appearing along walkways.
- Check the condition of the floor
Cracks and holes in the pavement on the outside should be filled in. Repairing them immediately will reduce the risk of any injury happening.
When an area is waiting to be fixed, warning signs should be placed to highlight the danger.
- Keep filing cabinets and drawers closed
Everybody has to open a filing cabinet or a drawer during the day but leaving them open can lead to injury. Staff should be encouraged to ensure all drawers and cabinets are closed when not used to avoid potential dangers.
- Clean up spills immediately
If a spill happens in the workplace, it should be cleaned up immediately. If certain liquids penetrate the surface, it can cause a surface to be more slippery than before after it has been cleaned up.
When a spill takes place at work, warning signs should be placed around the hazard immediately, and whilst the clean-up of the wet floor takes place. If a floor is known to be slippery anyway, this needs to be highlighted with an appropriate sign.