Slips and Trips Policy

Transcription

1 Health and Safety Services Slips and Trips Plicy Intrductin Slips and trips are the single mst cmmn cause f injuries in wrkplaces. Slips and trips als accunt fr ver a half f all reprted injuries t the public. 95% f reprtable majr slips result in brken bnes. It is therefre imprtant that the University puts in place management systems t eliminate r minimise risks frm slips and trips. This risk must als be cnsidered during planning, cnstructin and refurbishment r any changes f use within buildings. The reductin f injuries frm slips and trips can nly be achieved when managers, staff and students are cmmitted t taking persnal respnsibility. This plicy aims t achieve this and sets ut respnsibilities fr individual rles. Plicy statement The University will: prvide a safe wrking envirnment fr staff, students and visitrs which is free frm slip and trip hazards, s far as is reasnably practicable. adequately cntrl r reduce the risk f slips and trips, by a cmbinatin f a safe envirnment and safe behaviur. ensure that apprpriate risk assessments and risk reductin methds are in place. encurage all staff and students t take persnal actin t reduce the risk f slips and trips as far as pssible. ensure that there is an effective respnse t changing cnditins such as weather and the envirnment e.g. during cnstructin wrks r refurbishment. ensure that University premises are designed and maintained t minimise the risk f slips and trips. Prfessr Christine Williams Pr-Vice-Chancellr Chair, University Health and Safety Cmmittee Date June

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3 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Slips and Trips Prcedures Staff respnsibilities Staff will be made aware f plicies and prcedures relating t slips and trips in their wrk area, and are expected t fllw them. Staff will take an practive rle in preventing slips and trips by: taking actin t remve slip and trip hazards frm their wrk area e.g. cleaning up spillages, reruting trailing cables etc. maintaining a tidy ffice/wrk area. reprting any defects t their line manager r directly t Facilities Management Directrate. Key rles and respnsibilities fr Health and Safety Services Health & Safety Services will: Develp plicies, prcedures and guidance n managing slip and trip risks. Raise awareness thrugh targeted cmmunicatins. Mnitr trends frm accident statistics and highlight t the relevant Schls / Directrates. Investigate majr accidents invlving slips and trips and make recmmendatins fr imprvement t apprpriate parties. Mnitr cmpliance with this plicy thugh regular audits. Key rles and respnsibilities fr Managers Heads f the Schls/Directrates/ Units will ensure that: Risk assessments are carried ut fr the management f risks frm slips and trips in their Schl/Directrate/Unit and that this is recrded (see example risk assessment n H&SS website). The risk assessment will include suitable cntrl measures t eliminate r minimise the risk f slips and trips. This wuld include: checking surfaces are in gd cnditin reducing flr cntaminatin defining an apprpriate ftwear plicy where necessary (e.g. labratries, kitchens and where external wrk is carried ut) checking that lighting is adequate. All relevant staff are made aware f the risk assessment and what is expected f them. Areas that they cntrl are inspected fr slip and trip hazards at least twice annually e.g. as part f wrkplace inspectins, and that crrective actin is taken where necessary. Any incidents invlving slips r trips r near misses are reprted and investigated. 3

4 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 They lead by example by fllwing plicies and gd practice, challenging inapprpriate behaviur and dealing with issues regarding slips and trips. Key rles and respnsibilities fr Facilities Management Directrate (FMD) Maintenance Services Department (MSD) Maintenance Services will: Implement an actin plan fr dealing with unsafe cnditins arising frm: hles, bumps and uneven r wrn ut surfaces n paths and rads. snw, ice and leaves n external paths and rad. inadequate drainage systems. defective matting and flring surfaces within cmmn areas f buildings. All MSD staff will apply gd husekeeping standards and make apprpriate use f barriers during wrks n campus. Prjects Team Members f the FMD Prjects team will: Ensure that specificatins fr new r replacement flrs are fr a material that is suitable fr limiting the risk f slips and trips. Ensure that the design f buildings prevents cntaminatin f flrs, as far as reasnably practicable e.g. rainwater ingress is limited by the prvisin f suitable prtected entrances and the prvisin f fixed matting. When selecting flring, give cnsideratin t the fllwing guidance: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance n the selectin f walking surfaces see Further Infrmatin. CIRIA guide C652 Safer surfaces t walk n reducing the risk f slipping. When selecting flring, give cnsideratin t: the flring material likely cntaminants use f the area predicted user behaviur the surrunding envirnment and verall design f the space the ftwear likely t be wrn. Fllw the prcedure set ut in Appendix 1 when specifying flring fr new prjects r majr refurbishments. Ensure that cntractrs apply gd husekeeping standards and apprpriate use f barriers when wrking n campus t prevent slips, trips and falls. 4

5 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Campus Services Campus Services will ensure that: An apprpriate risk assessment is carried ut fr the management f risks frm slips and trips arising frm cleaning activities. Staff are trained in suitable safe systems f wrk, including: preventing access when wet flrs are drying cleaning at apprpriate times t minimise any risk t building users frm wet flrs the crrect cleaning methds fr flring types and use f chemicals the safe use f electrical pwer and extensin leads and ther equipment that might cause a trip hazard. Staff are adequately supervised t ensure that safe systems f wrk are fllwed. Centrally bked rms are maintained in a cnditin that will reduce the risk f slips and trips. Further infrmatin and HSE guides 1. CIRIA Guide C652 Safer surfaces t walk n reducing the risk f slipping Slips and Trips: Guidance fr emplyers n identifying hazards and cntrlling risks - HSE Bks (HSG 155) (ISBN: ) (1996) 3. Slips and Trips: Guidance fr the fd prcessing industry - HSE Bks (HSG 156) (ISBN: 0 71 ) (1996) 4. Assessing the slip resistance f flring. HSE Technical Infrmatin Sheet 03/ Slips and trips: The imprtance f flr cleaning. HSE Infrmatin Sheet 09/ Preventing slips and trips at wrk. INDG225(rev1) Preventing slip and trip incidents in the educatin sectr. HSE Educatin Infrmatin Sheet N 2 (revised) EDIS2(rev1) 09/

6 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Appendix 1 Assessing the slip resistance f flring When specifying new flring the guidance cntained in CIRIA publicatin Safer surfaces t walk n shuld be fllwed. This includes the fllwing decisin making prcess: Stage 1 Select ne r mre surface ptins Stage 2 Obtain r determine prime parameters where pssible, ie SRV (dry and surface-wet), and Rz Stage 3 Cnsider influencing factrs Stage 4 Cntaminatin Cnsider the factrs frm Tables 4.5 and 4.6 in cnjunctin with Chapters 5 and 6 Stage 5 Use Is use cntrllable? If s apply the risk management hierarchy (Table 4.7) and infrmatin frm Chapter 9 where relevant and where it brings benefit Stage 6 Flring material Cnsider Table 4.4 and Chapter10 Stage 7 Behaviur Is behaviur cntrllable? If s apply the risk management hierarchy (Table 4.7); cnsider Table 4.7 and infrmatin frm Chapter 9 where relevant and where it brings benefit Stage 8 Envirnment Can detrimental effects be avided r minimised? If s apply the risk management hierarchy (Table 4.7); cnsider Table 4.7 and infrmatin frm Chapter 8 where relevant and where it brings benefit Stage 9 Ftwear Is ftwear cntrllable? If s apply the risk management hierarchy (Table 4.7); cnsider Table 4.7 and infrmatin frm Chapter 7 where relevant and where it brings benefit Stage 10 Having cnsidered Stages 4-9: 1. Is flr safe and effectively drained? 2. Will the flr be free f cntaminatin s far as reasnably practicable? Stage 11 Yes Stage 11 N Stage 12 Derive walking surface specificatin, having regard t slpes (Sectin 4.2.2) Derive the maintenance strategy statement assciated with the chices made (Sectin 4.6) Key Cntrllable Predictable 6

7 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Stage 1 Selectin f surface ptins This will nrmally be led by the architect, designer and Prject Manager, in cnsultatin with the end user. Stage 2 Obtaining prime parameters It is essential that the crrect infrmatin is available n the flr surface prducts likely t be used. This will enable the apprpriate design decisins t be made based n established parameters. This will mainly cnsist f pendulum cefficient f frictin test and surface micrrughness. The likely cntaminants must als be taken int cnsideratin, and als features such as slpes. The Health and Safety Labratry (HSL) n behalf f the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has develped a reliable and rbust test methd. The University f Reading supprts these test methds. The methdlgy is based n using tw instruments: Pendulum cefficient f frictin (CF) test Surface micrrughness meter The Pendulum CF test BS 7676: Parts 1-3, 2002 This gives a reading in slip resistance value (SRV) als knw as pendulum test value (PTV) frm high t lw. Table 1 Using Fur-S rubber average ftwear Pendulum value (SRV) (Fur-S rubber) Ptential fr slip* High Mderate Lw Nte: Slider 96 (Fur S) - was develped as a hard she heel material and is still the primary test rubber when evaluating internal flring materials fr pedestrian use. Table 2 Using TRRL rubber bare ft cnditins Pendulum value (SRV*) (TRRL rubber) Ptential fr slip* High Mderate Lw Extremely lw Nte: Slider 55 (TRRL rubber) - was develped as a sft tyre cmpund t asses the skid resistance f rads but is nw used t simulate the sft sle f she material fund n Trainer type shes and has been used as a substitute fr skin when evaluating swimming pl surrunds. 7

8 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Surface micrrughness meter Surface rughness can be used t supplement pendulum test data. The rughness results shuld be interpreted using the infrmatin reprduced in Table 3 (frm UKSRG, 2005). Where nly rughness data is available then the HSE Slips Assessment Tl (SAT) shuld be used. This will take accunt f ther factrs which affect the likelihd f slips and trips and will prvide a High, Mderate r Lw scre. Table 3 Surface rughness and slip ptential Rz surface rughness (micrns) Belw r abve Ptential fr slip* High Mderate Lw Wet cntaminants Minimum rughness fr varius cntaminants has been established by Lemn and Griffiths n behalf f the HSE. This shuld be taken int cnsideratin when specifying flr fr particular envirnments: Table 4 Recmmended minimum rughness fr varius cntaminants (Lemn and Griffiths, 1997) Minimum rughness Cntaminant (Rz)(µm) 20 Clean water, cffee, sft drink 1 Viscsity (centipise (cp)) 45 Sap slutin, milk Cking stck Mtr il, live il 30 Abve 70 Gear il, margarine 30 Dry cntaminants The pendulum test data shuld be used fr assessing the effects f dry cntaminatin n surfaces, althugh where this is carried ut an adapted methd must be used. Where the cntaminant is likely t be dry it may be difficult t rely n the data. Stages 3 9 cnsider the influencing factrs All f the influencing factrs need t be cnsidered, in additin t the data prvided n the flr surface material. 8

9 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Cntrllable Envirnment Flr material Cntaminatin Slip ptential Predictable Use Behaviur Ftwear Stage 4 Cntaminatin The types f cntaminatin which may be present shuld be identified. This shuld als include ptential future use, where this can be identified. e.g. the installatin f café areas in fyers. Cntaminatin may be frm water, grease, dust, fd prduct r waste material. This can be the result f spillages, leaks, ftfall r cleaning. Stages 5 & 7 Use and behaviur The use f the flr surface must be cnsidered. This will include general walking, carrying items, pushing and pulling items, persns in a hurry, elderly persns, yung persns, persns with a disability. Issues such as the area being used fr dancing, scial events and sale f alchl must be cnsidered. The behaviur f peple using the flr surface needs t be cnsidered, and whether r nt behaviur can be cntrlled. If the area is pen t the public this may be difficult. Stage 6 Flring material There are mre issues t cnsider when selecting a flr, in additin t the slip resistance. Table 5 belw sets these ut and is taken frm the CIRIA guide. 9

10 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Table 5 Factrs t be cnsidered when selecting flring materials Attribute Cst Appearance Wear / durability Maintenance Cnsequences f falls Cmment A flr surface with a higher SRV may be mre expensive than an alternative with a lwer SRV, but, with apprpriate cautin, it might allw a less strictly cntrlled cleaning regime. This emphasises the whle-life csting apprach that shuld be adpted where pssible. A smth, shiny surface might lk impressive but its lw micr-rughness may demand a mre frequent cleaning and maintenance regime r ne that des nt leave any residual liquid n the surface. There may be a significant risk f disruptin (eg emplyee absence r civil actin) as a cnsequence f slips, arising frm a failure t ensure apprpriate cleaning. A harder surface will maintain its surface rughness lnger than the sfter alternative. Sme surfaces imprve with wear, and ther surfaces degrade with time and usage. Aesthetically pleasing surfaces can be achieved using materials with higher SRV and Rz values. Nte: all surfaces will wear but hw this affects the slip resistance is unpredictable. The nly way t be sure is t measure the SRV ver time, using the pendulum test (in cnjunctin with surface rughness measurements as a useful cmplementary means f mnitring). The flr surface shuld be chsen with the use, any legal requirements fr cleanliness and the desired maintenance regime in mind. All flrs need t be safe, but where a histry f civil actin r incidents wuld seriusly damage the ccupier s image it may be wrthwhile t specify a slutin that errs n the cautius side. Stage 8 Envirnment Cnsider hw detrimental effects can be minimised r avided. Overall design must be cnsidered t reduce cntaminatin as much as pssible. One example f this wuld be the prvisin f suitable canpies and drainage at entrance ways, t prevent water being brught int the entrance f buildings. Cndensatin can als lead t cntaminatin, s this shuld be designed ut as far as pssible. Lighting must be cnsidered the amunt f light in an area can help peple distinguish between areas which are cntaminated r clean. Lighting will als have an impact n glare frm the flr surface. Visual distractin must be cnsidered fr issues such as changes in level - see chapter 8 f the CIRIA guide fr mre infrmatin. Clur selectin is imprtant, in that a change in clur can have an effect n visual perceptin and the ability t see cntaminants such as water. 10

11 University f Reading Slips and Trips Plicy and Prcedures June 2010 Stage 9 Ftwear Where there is n cntrl ver ftwear such as in a public access building, this needs t be taken int accunt and the wrst case scenari assumed. Where there is cntrl ver ftwear then significant reductins in risk can be made - see Chapter 7 f the CIRIA guide fr mre infrmatin. Stage 10 Drainage Having cnsidered stages 4-9, the next step is t cnsider if the flr is effectively drained, and will the flr be free frm cntaminatin, as far as pssible? If yes, mve t surface specificatin, taking int cnsideratin any slpes. Stage 12 Maintenance strategy Derive the maintenance strategy statement assciated with the chices made. The maintenance strategy shuld invlve mnitring the SRV f the flr thrugh the life f the asset. This will enable replacement r restratin f the SRV where necessary. The specifier shuld agree the maintenance strategy with the end user/ccupier and Campus Services, if they are respnsible fr cleaning the area. The statement shuld include the fllwing: Physical characteristics Slip resistance parameters (SRV (dry and surface wet), Rz) Anticipated life f the flr prduct and limiting characteristics The lcatins where is anticipated the surface will require treatment after a perid f use It may als be desirable t prvide the design SRV under the wrst cntaminatin cnditins envisaged if these differ frm the surface wet values. Cntaminatin issues Anticipated hazards The assumed cleaning regime and assciated maintenance Other influences The design assumptins regarding ther influencing factrs, including envirnment, ftwear, use and behaviur (where relevant) Management The anticipated maintenance regime (its type, frequency and methdlgy) Day t day management issues e.g. drying and cleaning f dr mats Lighting issues This statement will prvide imprtant infrmatin fr thse wh have respnsibility fr the flring surface during its lifespan. 11