Programme aims and targets
HSE statistics show pedestrian slipping and tripping to be the most common cause of injuries in UK workplaces, they account for the highest number of work related major injuries and occur across all industry sectors. As a result, the HSC (Health and Safety Commission) included slips and trips as a priority topic in the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety campaign.
The Slips and Trips Programme was created in order to develop a national strategy that would achieve a reduction in the number of fatal and major injury accidents caused by slips and trips by 5% by 2004 and 10% by 2010.
By the end of 2007/08 the programme aims to deliver an annual reduction of 525 fewer major injuries from slips and trips (from a baseline of 10,300). It will also contribute indirectly to the target to deliver a 9% reduction in the number of working days lost.
The programme undertook essential research in order to identify the biggest barriers to getting management and workers to address slips and trips effectively. They were identified as:
- Not taking the risk seriously. Such accidents are often seen as a source of amusement, despite the serious injury’s they cause.
- Not understanding the causes of slipping and tripping. Guidance is already available on what can cause and prevent slips and trips. Research is continually being carried out in order to close information gaps.
- Thinking that slips and trips are inevitable. Case studies show that it is possible to reduce and for some companies virtually eliminate, slip and trip accidents through application of simple control measures that effectively pay for themselves.
- Poor management control. The risks need to be assessed and sensible action should be taken.
A plan of work was then developed, concentrating on several essential elements: -
- Convincing the right people that slips and trips are serious, that effective action can and should be taken
- Engaging with Local authority and HSE staff, relevant employers and other interested parties
- Positively influence those responsible for building and footwear design
- Undertake underpinning research and standards development
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The slips and trips stakeholder group
The group meets twice a year and is made up of nominees from a wide range of organisations and industry’s. Their role is varied, but primarily they: -
- bring its experience to bear on supporting the Slips and Trips Programme in delivery of its target of a 5.1% reduction by the end of 08/09 in the number of major injuries to workers caused by slips and trips;
- act as a sounding board for Slip and Trip Programme plans and contribute to their delivery through partnership working and communicating information to and from their constituent interests;
- share perspectives on slips and trips, discuss issues of mutual interest and propose solutions to identified challenges;
- contribute examples of good practice in minimising risks from slip and trip incidents.
Minutes of the meetings
- 15 October 2008
- Minutes of the slips and trips stakeholder meeting 15.10.08 [22KB]
- 05 March 2008
- Minutes of the slips and trips stakeholder meeting 05.03.08 [35.4KB]
- 07 March 2007
- Minutes of the slips and trips stakeholder meeting 07.03.07 [12.5KB]
- 01 October 2007
- Minutes of the slips and trips stakeholder meeting 03.10.07 [32KB]
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