slips, trips & falls tony saunders merseyside trade union education unit
TRANSCRIPT
Slips, Trips & Falls
Tony Saunders
Merseyside Trade Union Education Unit
Health and Safety Representatives
Overview of Health & Safety Rep. TrainingThe Law and Safety RepsBasic Facts about Slips Trips and FallsLegal and Other Standards for Prevention
and ControlWhat Can Safety Representatives Do?
Overview of Health & Safety Rep. Training
Unions appoint or elect Health and Safety Reps.
Induction training by own unions10 day Stage 1 Course10 day Stage 2 CourseAdvanced TrainingDiplomas and Certificates
The Law and Safety Reps
The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 Appointment of Safety Reps
Who appoints Safety Reps Who can be a Safety Rep How Many Safety Reps
The Functions of Safety Reps Investigating and making representation to employer Inspections Involving and informing members and getting their support Consultation with and information from employer Information from and liaison with enforcement officers
Basic Facts about Slips Trips and Falls
Reference to TUC survey of Safety Reps Slips and trips are a major problem to 84% of workplaces
surveyed In one year 15,000 slipping and tripping accidents – over 400
resulted in broken bones 44% of accidents reported by Safety Reps were in health sector. Members of the public are just as likely as employees to have an
accident Substances on floors(43%) and Obstructions (31%) are the main
causes of slips and trips Most slips and trips occur on stairs and steps (29%)followed by
shop floor (28%) and outside (27%)
Legal and Other Standards for Prevention and Control
SRSC Regulations 1977 Safety reps’ rights and consultation
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 General duties of employers and employees
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Obligations of employers to make suitable and sufficient
assessment of risks Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995 Requirements for employers to notify the enforcing authority as
and when required
What Can Safety Representatives Do?
Membership Awareness Posters and leaflets Reporting concerns
Surveys and Inspections Undertake specific survey Use regular inspections to speak to members and examine
statistics Risk Assessment
Ask for copies of risk assessments Ask for risk assessments to be carried out
Slips, trips and falls policy and procedure Urge employers to have procedures in place to prevent slips,
trips and falls at work.
Direct and Indirect Causes
Direct Courses Unsafe Workplaces Unsafe Workers Unsafe Acts
Indirect Causes Lack of Training Lack of Supervision Lack of Investment Lack of Commitment