Slips, trips and falls
We have seen an increase in the number of slips, trips and falls incidents over the past couple of weeks. There were 14 incidents recorded in April/May, seven (7) in Home Care and seven (7) in Residential Services. These incidents have resulted in five (5) staff members sustaining injuries.
We encourage staff to report any hazardous situations and near misses to help prevent injuries. Reporting allows for timely inspection and assessment of the area, potentially leading to the removal of hazards and a significant reduction in the risk of injuries.
Prevention:
We need your help to prevent injuries from Slips, Trips and Falls – if you see a damaged or hazardous stair, floor surface, path or other walkway, always report it as a hazard through RiskMan or report it to your Line Manager.
Consider how you can reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls:
Plan your walk and permit sufficient time to get to your meeting or appointment on time without rushing;
Wear sensible shoes when walking and wear shoes with a grip to protect in wet conditions;
Concentrate on walking rather than using mobile phones or reading documents while walking – statistics from across industry show that using mobile phones when walking or ascending/descending stairs is a significant contributing factor to injury occurring. If you see someone using a mobile phone or reading papers while walking, don’t be afraid to politely remind them that what they are doing is unsafe – you may prevent them from sustaining an injury!
Complete a visual assessment of your surroundings when undertaking any manual handling tasks to remove any items that may be obstructing your pathway.
Remember, safety is everyone's responsibility. Let's work together to prevent accidents and injuries.
Thank you for your cooperation!
© 2021