Staff Slips Trips and Falls Policy

Peninsula Community Health
Staff Slips, Trips and Falls Policy
Title: Staff Slips, Trips and Falls Policy
Procedural Document Type: Policy
Reference: GOP23
CQC Outcome: Outcome 14D
Version: V2
Approved by: Health & Safety Sub Committee
Ratified by: Clinical Quality and Safety Committee
Date ratified: 13 th March 2012
Freedom of Information: This document can be released
Name of originator/author: Health and Safety Team
Name of responsible team: Health and Safety Team
Review Frequency: Every 3 years unless change in legislation
Review date: 13 th March 2015
Target audience: All staff
Registered in England and Wales No: 7564579
Registered office: Peninsula Community Health CIC,
Sedgemoor Centre, Priory Road, St Austell PL25 5AS
www.peninsulacommunityhealth.co.uk
Quality care, closer to you
Peninsula Community Health is a not for profit
Community Interest Company responsible for
providing NHS adult community health
services
in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….3
2. Definitions…………………………………………………………………………...3
3. Duties and responsibilities ….……………………………………………… …..3
4. Slips, Trips and Falls Policy information…………………………………………5
4.1 Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls……………………………………………..5
4.2 Preventing of Slips, Trips and Falls………………………………………….7
4.3 Action to be taken in the event of a Slip, Trip or Fall……………………….8
4.4 Working at Heights…………………………………………………………….8
5. Policy Implementation…………………………………………………… ………11
6. Process for monitoring effective implementation……………………………….11
7. Associated Documentation………………………………………………………. 12
8. References………………………………………………………………………….12
Appendix A – Generic Staff Slip, Trip and Fall risk assessment
Appendix B – Generic Staff Slip, Trip and Fall action plan
Appendix C – Ladder and stepladder checklist
Please Note the Intention of this Document
The Slips, Trips and Falls Policy describes the organisation’s management arrangements for
the prevention of slip trip and falls incidents that may adversely affect Staff.
Slips, trips and falls accidents are responsible for many serious injuries including deaths,
particularly in older people. Simple injuries can lead to complications such as
thromboses and embolisms, which may be fatal.
Slip trip and falls incidents are the largest single cause of Public and Employers Liability
claims. Their prevention is very high on the Health and Safety Executives enforcement
agenda. All healthcare employers need to understand what constitutes a risk, how to identify
them and how any significant risk may be eliminated or reduced.

1 Introduction
Peninsula Community Health (PCH) recognises that slips trip and falls accidents are a very
significant cause of harm to staff, patients and visitors.
For the identification of patients who may be more likely to slip or fall and subsequent use of
measures to minimise the likelihood of harm refer to Policy for the Management and
Reduction of Risk of Falls in Community Hospitals
PCH is committed to the prevention and reduction of slip trip and fall incidents, this can be
achieved by ensuring that the following are features of the organisation’s health and safety
management arrangements:
Safe design, specification and maintenance of all premises including internal and
external flooring and horizontal surfaces.
Ensuring that the correct and most appropriate access equipment is used to prevent
falls from height as identified through the risk assessment process.
Use of risk assessments / risk based inspections to identify significant environmental
and other risks or unsafe practices.
Timely reporting of incidents and prompt investigation.
Feedback and learning from incidents
2 Definitions
Slip. To slide accidentally causing the person to lose their balance. This is either
corrected or causes a person to fall.
Trip. To stumble accidentally over an obstacle, causing the person to lose their
balance. This is either corrected or causes a person to fall.
Fall. An event which results in the person coming to rest on the ground or another
surface lower than the person, whether or not an injury is sustained.
3 Duties and responsibilities
This section includes an overview of individual roles and responsibilities for this
policy.
3.1 The Chief Executive / Board
a) The Chief Executive of PCH, as Accountable Officer, is ultimately responsible for
health and safety.
b) The PCH Board will delegate responsibility for the implementation of safe working
practices to Managers within the organisation.

3.2 Executive Directors
a) Are responsible, delegated from the Chief Executive, for the health and safety at work of
all employees, workers who include Contingent Workforce and Agency staff, patients,
contractors, visitors and others.
b) Should ensure that the organisation is fully compliant with the requirements of the Health
& Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all other relevant legislation and Codes of Practice,
ensuring that support is given to all persons to whom responsibility has been delegated.
c) Are responsible for ensuring risk assessments are in place and which they can delegate
to trained staff but retain accountability.
3.3 Locality Managers, Head of Services shall:-
a) Be responsible for ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and
documented within their own areas of responsibility.
b) Have processes in place to monitor and review risk assessments.
c) Ensure a winter maintenance plan is designed and Implemented when severe weather
warnings are forecast for ice and snow, which includes gritting of high usage areas first
and in extended adverse weather conditions ensure gritting is extended to other areas of
lower risk.
d) Ensure that all premises and external surfaces / areas leased by PCH are as safe as is
reasonably practicable and do not present a hazard to Staff, Patients, Visitors and others
using PCH sites
3.4 Matrons, Team Leaders, Ward Managers, Business Managers shall ensure:-
a) That suitable and sufficient documented risk assessments, covering staff and others,
are undertaken and reviewed concerning the risks arising from slips, trips and falls
including falls from height within their areas of responsibility.
b) That significant risks that cannot be eliminated or reduced immediately should be placed
on local Risk Registers.
c) That they co-ordinate the implementation of the risk assessments and ensure that an
action plan is prepared containing control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks of
slips, trips and falls in that area.
d) That slip, trip and falls incidents are reported on the Incident Reporting System and
investigated to identify the underlying trends and causes.
e) Ensure that any reports of damaged floor surfaces are reported immediately to the
Estates Department.
f) That all their staff are up to date with training in the prevention of slips trips and falls.

g) That all their staff are provided with and using the correct and appropriate equipment to
prevent falls when working at height
h) Ensure that systems are in place to ensure that staff from other departments / external
contractors are challenged if any doubt exists that they are not using the correct
equipment when working in their ward/department.
3.5 All Staff
All staff regardless of grade and occupation have a legal duty to abide by this Policy and
work safely at all times.
In particular all staff will:-
a) Behave in a safe and responsible manner, taking steps to avoid and reduce the risks of
slips, trips and falls.
b) Immediately inform line managers of any situation that is considered to be a significant
risk and promptly report all health and safety incidents via the relevant incident reporting
system.
c) Report any damaged, broken or damaged floor surfaces, both internally and externally
that pose a risk and require repair to their line manager.
d) Ensure that tripping risks are not created – for example, locating wires and cables safely,
not blocking designated walkways etc.
e) Ensure that slipping risks are not created, for example cleaning spillages of liquids and
powder promptly or reporting leaks etc.
f) Wear personal protective equipment as appropriate or if specified in the risk assessment.
g) Attend all training courses arranged for them on slips, trips and falls.
4 Staff Slips, Trips and Falls Policy Information
4.1 Causes of Slip, Trip and Falls
The main causes of slips, trips and falls in the workplace include the following. Note all of
these should be taken into account when carrying out a documented risk assessment:-
4.1.1 Flooring
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 61 – Flooring: This document outlines the
requirements and specifications on building components for health buildings and should be
referred to for new building work and alterations. Much of the information it contains is
equally applicable to renewal of flooring in existing buildings.
The floor in a workplace must be suitable for the type of work activity undertaken.
Therefore it will be different in a ward, an office, a workshop and a kitchen.

Where a floor can not be kept dry, people should be able to walk on it without fear of
slipping despite any contamination that may be on it. Flooring types will have
different levels of “roughness”, this gives the flooring its non slip properties. It is
possible to measure this roughness and it is determined by what is known as the
coefficient of friction.
A floor must be able to be cleaned correctly to ensure that it does not become
slippery or that it keeps its slip resistance properties (if a non slip floor).
The floor must be fitted correctly to ensure that there are no hazards and any non slip
coatings are correctly applied. The floor must be maintained in good order to ensure
that there are no trip hazards e.g. holes, uneven surfaces, badly fitted carpets at door
thresholds or curled up carpet edges.
Ramps, raised platforms and other changes of level should be avoided, if they can’t
they must be highlighted.
4.1.2 Stairs
Stairs can potentially create a higher risk of slips trips and falls. To help to control this risk
stairs should:-
have high visibility, non slip, square nosings on the step edges, be fitted with a
suitable handrail and the steps should be of equal height and width.
have adequate lighting.
be kept clear and unobstructed and maintained in good condition, free of defective
coverings or raised nosings etc.
4.1.3 Contamination
Prevent contamination and you reduce or even eliminate the slip risk as most floors only
become slippery once they become contaminated.
Contamination can be classed as anything that ends up on a floor e.g. rainwater, oil,
grease, cardboard, product wrapping, dust etc. the list is endless. It can be a byproduct
of a work process or be due to adverse weather conditions.
If you are relying on the floor to be good enough to cope with the contamination and
still be non-slip you need to remember that the more viscous (the thicker) the
contamination the rougher a floor needs to be in order for slips not to happen.
4.1.4 Cleaning
Cleaning affects every workplace, nowhere is exempt. It is not just a subject for GSA staff;
everyone in the organisation has a job to do e.g. keeping your workspace clear; and dealing
with your own spillages.
The process of cleaning can create slip and trip hazards, especially for those
entering the area being cleaned, for example, smooth floors left damp by a mop are
likely to be extremely slippery and trailing wires from a vacuum or buffing machine
can present a trip hazard. Stop pedestrian access to smooth wet floors by using
barriers or cleaning in sections. Signs and cones only warn of a hazard, they do not
prevent people from entering the area.
An effective cleaning regime requires a good management system to help identify
problem areas, decide what to do, check that the steps have been effective.
Effective training and supervision is essential to ensure cleaning is undertaken to the
correct standard. Domestic staff need to be informed of their duties and why the
cleaning needs to be undertaken in a particular way or at a particular time. Lack of
understanding can lead to inappropriate shortcuts.
Contamination is implicated in almost all slip accidents. Regular and effective
cleaning to remove contamination helps reduce accidents.

4.1.5 Human Factors
How people act and behave in their work environments can affect slips and trips. A positive
attitude toward health and safety, can reduce the risk of slip and trip accidents e.g. dealing
with a spillage, instead of waiting for someone else to deal with it.
Wearing the correct footwear while at work helps to prevent slips and trips for
example people wearing high heels at work will make them more vulnerable to a slip.
Distractions which prevent you from seeing or thinking about where you are going,
can also increase the risk of an accident e.g. rushing about, carrying large objects or
becoming distracted whilst walking e.g. using a mobile phone.
Attitudes towards getting the job completed could result in incorrect or inappropriate
equipment being used. This can lead to instances of slips, trips and falls. A typical
example being a leaky or overfilled floor cleaner which sheds water inappropriately
causing a slip, trip or fall hazard.
4.1.6 Environmental Issues
Environmental issues such as lighting (natural or otherwise), loud or unfamiliar noises, the
weather, humidity, condensation etc can affect the risk of slips and trips, for example:
Too much light on a shiny floor can cause glare and stop people from seeing hazards
on floors and stairs.
Too little light will also prevent people from seeing hazards on the floor and stairs.
Unfamiliar and loud noises may be distracting.
If rainwater gets onto a smooth surface inside of a building, it may create a slip
hazard.
Cold weather can cause frost and ice to form, which may create slippery surfaces.
Condensation can make a smooth floor slippery.
4.1.7 Footwear
Where you can’t control footwear e.g. pedestrians using the hospital, it is vitally important to
ensure that smooth floors are kept clean and dry.
In the hospital, where work floors are mainly clean and dry the wearing of flat shoes
or a low sensible heel, with the sole and heel made in a softer material providing
some grip, can help reduce risks from slips and trips
Where floors can’t be kept dry or clean e.g. food preparation, the right footwear will
be particularly important, so a slip resistant shoe may be preferred.
In areas where the organisation has introduced the need for slip resistant or special
footwear, the footwear will be considered to be personal protective equipment and
will be subject to the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations
4.2 PREVENTING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
4.2.1 Ensure that documented risk assessments are in place: these should be
reviewed regularly and inspect internal and external areas that have the potential to pose a
significant risk. Ensure risk assessments are amended to record the current findings. (See
Appendix A and B for suggested risk assessment and action plan – this should be made site
specific)

4.2.2 Contamination – Prevention and Control
Prevent contamination getting on floor - remember a smooth, clean, dry floor, is rarely a
slip risk.
Control contamination - There are measures that can be put into place to help control
contamination and to stop it from spreading into other areas of the workplace e.g. fit drip
trays under racking that contains fluids; use mats at entrances etc;
Design out problems - good design can also prevent contamination from getting onto the
floor, e.g. fit canopies over entrances, and fix leaking machines.
Review work activities - ensure good housekeeping practices, remember walkways must
be kept clear, free from trailing wires and other contamination. Contamination comes in
various forms: fluids, food and drink, polythene, cardboard. It is usually created by the work
activity, so an assessment of the activity and way in which people work is essential e.g. are
there enough waste bins? can the floor be cleaned in sections or out of hours?
Employee & employer attitude - When it comes to contamination and housekeeping, staff
attitude is important, spread the message, clean it up, rather than leave it to someone else.
4.2.3 Adverse Environmental Conditions
Check lighting is suitable and sufficient - it doesn’t matter how good the floor is if you
can’t see where you are going.
Is condensation a problem - on smooth floors only a tiny amount of liquid is required to
cause a slip risk, so look out for condensation which could coat the floor, or humidity which
would prevent the floor from fully drying out.
Ice on pavements / paths / floors - during winter months, or where there are cold
stores/freezers, ice may be a problem
Rainwater able to enter building – can you fit canopies over doors, provide suitable
matting at entrances to enable feet to be wiped. Fix leaking roofs.
4.3 ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVEN OF A SLIP, TRIP OR FALL
If a member of staff or a visitor falls on PCH premises, the following steps should be taken:
Check the area first in order to safeguard your own safety
An immediate assessment of any injury or harm should be done, taking action as
necessary to make the individual safe and comfortable. When a fracture or serious
harm is suspected, arrangements should be made for the person to attend A&E
immediately.
For minor injuries the person should be advised to see their GP or to attend the local
minor injuries unit.
Immediate action must be taken to make the area safe, clearing up fluids, spilt or
broken items and any damaged / broken surfaces that pose a risk and require should
be reported immediately to the Estates department.
The incident should be reported using the relevant incident reporting system and
consideration given as to whether the incident is RIDDOR reportable (see Incident
Management Policy).

4.4 WORKING AT HEIGHT
4.4.1 Introduction
Falls from height are the biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of
major injury in the country to-day. Falls from height are mostly associated with the
construction industry but they can and do happen in all workforces and all workplaces,
healthcare is no exception.
Healthcare staff, like staff in other industries, have to carry out operational and maintenance
tasks which are conducted at height. For example the estates and maintenance teams have
to carry out repairs on buildings that involve roof repairs and gutter clearing, replacing
light bulbs. Domestic staff have to replace curtains to large windows, bed spaces and to
other ward and department areas which involve them working at heights.
4.4.2 The Work at Height Regulations 2005 was introduced to ensure that management
and staff always took a consistent safe approach to working at heights.
The regulations define working at height as “Any place where a person could be injured
when falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level”. The regulations impose duties and
responsibilities on PCH with the overriding principle that it must do all that is reasonably
practicable to prevent anyone falling.
The Regulations sets out a simple hierarchy for managing working at heights and in the
selection of equipment for work at height.
avoid work at height where they can;
use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid
working at height; and
where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures
to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.
4.4.3 Management Responsibilities for working at height
Planning, you must:-
ensure that no work is done at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it
other than at height;
ensure that the work is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in
as safe a way as is reasonably practicable;
plan for emergencies and rescue;
ensure that a risk assessment carried out and acted upon
ensure where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, you use work equipment or other
measures to minimize the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.
use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid
working at height
avoid work at height wherever you can
ensure that the work is postponed while weather conditions endanger health or
safety (this does not apply to emergency situations)

Staff Training:-
ensure that everyone involved in the work is competent (or, if being trained, is
supervised by a competent person).
where other precautions do not entirely eliminate the risk of a fall occurring, you must
(as far as it is reasonably practicable to do so) train those who will be working at
height how to avoid falling, and how to avoid or minimize injury to themselves should
they fall.
Selection of equipment:-
When selecting equipment for work at height you must:-
Use the most suitable equipment;
Give collective protection measures (eg guard rails) priority over personal protection
measures (eg safety harnesses);
Take account of the working conditions; and risks to the safety of all those at the place
where the work equipment is to be used.
Inspections:-
‘Inspection’ is defined in the regulations as ‘such visual or more rigorous inspection by a
competent person as is appropriate for safety, including any appropriate testing’.
Ensure that each individual place at which work is to be done at height is checked on each
occasion before that workplace is used.
Ensure that any item such as Guardrails, toe boards, working platforms, fall arrest
equipment (personal or collective), ladders or stepladders are inspected, after it is
assembled and / or installed and as often as is necessary to ensure safety. In particular the
inspection should make sure that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good
time.
Fragile surfaces:-
Ensure that no one working under your control goes onto or near a fragile surface unless
that is the only reasonably practicable way for the worker to carry out the work safely, having
regard to the demands of the task, equipment, or working environment.
If anyone does have to work on or near a fragile surface the Project Manager/Site
Manager must: do all that is reasonably practicable to make them aware of the danger,
preferably by prominent warning notices and ensuring that suitable platforms, coverings, and
guard rails are provided and used to minimise the risk effect of a fall.
Falling objects:-
Take all reasonably practicable precautions to prevent injury caused by anything falling
from height.
Ensure that nothing is thrown or tipped from height if it is likely to cause injury or stored in
such a way that its movement is likely to injure anyone.
If the workplace contains an area in which there is a risk of someone being struck by a
falling object, ensure that the area is clearly indicated and/or signed and that unauthorised
people are denied entry.

Access equipment:-
This is equipment that provides a person with the means to access places or objects
which they would not have been able to access otherwise. Such equipment includes
stepladders, ladders, scaffolding, tower platforms, scissor lifts and boomtype lifts (cherry
pickers).
It is essential that everyone involved in working with or from any of these types of access
equipment can do their work safely, by having the knowledge and skills needed to carry out
their work on a day to day basis.
If using access equipment there should be safe access and egress to and from that
equipment.
The checklists shown at Appendix C will help to determine the knowledge and skills
necessary for staff in the workplace if they use access equipment in their day-to-day work.
4 Staff Slips, Trips and Falls Policy Implementation
5.1 Implementation
The implementation and effectiveness of this policy will be monitored through the
Health and Safety Committee.
5.2 Training and Support
An e-learning package around Slips, Trips and Falls will be available to all staff. The HSE’s
award winning Shattered Lives Campaign raises awareness about the risks of slips, trips
and falls from height at work, and simple action to take to prevent these accidents from
happening in the workplace http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives The HSE have also
produced a slips and trips e-learning package called Watch Your Step
http://www.hse.gov.uk.slips/step/start.htm which is suitable for employees, managers and
specialists. Learn about how slips and trips are caused, how to spot hazards, why
preventing them is important and what you can do to tackle them. It is an interactive
package that includes quizzes, animations and video and can run directly over the Internet.
Staff are recommended to complete this package to improve their understanding of slips and
trips and to reduce accidents.
5.3 Dissemination
Once ratified this policy will be loaded to the intranet (read only).
Confirmation of receipt is not required for this procedural document.
5.4 Storing the Procedural Document
The signed procedural document will be stored (hard copy) centrally, as will the digital (soft
copy) version.

5.5 Equality Impact Assessment
PCH aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the diverse
needs of our services, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a
disadvantage over others. As part of its development, this strategy and its impact on
equality have been assessed. The assessment is to minimise and if possible remove any
disproportionate impact on employees on the grounds of race, sex, disability, age, sexual
orientation or religious belief. No detriment was identified.
5 Process for Monitoring Effective Implementation
The effective implementation of this policy will be monitored by the Health and Safety
Committee. Spot checks will be undertaken by the Health and Safety Team to ensure
compliance with the policy around the use of access equipment and the findings reported to
the Health and Safety Committee. Slip, trip and fall incidents will be monitored through the
incident reporting system and trends / themes analysed and reported back at the Locality
Health and Safety meetings for discussion.
6 Associated Documentation
This document references the following supporting documents which should be
referred to in conjunction with the document being developed:
PCH Health & Safety Management Strategy
PCH Health & Safety Policy
PCH Incident Management Policy
PCH Infection Control Policy
PCH Policy for the management and reduction of risk of falls in hospital care
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 1999)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
7 References
Work at Height Regulations 2005. Available at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/regulations.htm
Useful resources from the Health and Safety Executive available at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives

Hospital
Health Office/clinic
Item
No
1.
Hazard
Poor housekeeping
in corridors / rooms /
offices / general
areas.
2. Internal wet floor
surface following a
spillage.
3. Internal slippery floor
surface following
cleaning
Persons at
risk
Staff
Visitors
Contractors
Patients
Office/ Area / Unit / Ward:
Ext:
Risk
Type
Slip, trip
and fall
injuries
Existing control
measures
1. Staff awareness of good
general housekeeping
2. Staff awareness -
personal belongings (bags,
briefcases) are stored away
safely
All As above
3. Items of equipment, boxes,
packaging etc is
removed/disposed of within
a short time scale.
1. Warning signs
2. Staff awareness
All As above
3. Annual GSA Training –
cleaning techniques,
spillage procedure
As 1, 2, 3 above
APPENDIX A - STAFF GENERIC SLIP, TRIP & FALL RISK ASSESSMENT
Assessors:
Title:
Numerical
Risk
Ranking
Overall
risk
rating
Impact Likely E, H,
M , L *
Assessment Date:
Review Date:
Summary of proposed added control
measures
1. Health, Safety and Risk mandatory
training
2. Local staff Induction
3. Visual ad hoc housekeeping
inspection / audit take place
regularly
1. Ensure warning signs are easily
accessible and available.
2. Spillage procedure available for
staff
1. Ensure cleaning is undertaken
outside peak periods
Risk
Register
Ref. No.
(for use by
Managers

Item
No
Hazard
4. Internal - uneven
floor coverings
i.e. damaged /
poor condition
/worn surfaces
5. Trailing electrical
cables / phone
wires in offices /
reception areas
Persons at
risk
Risk
Type
All Slips,
trips and
fall
injuries
All staff
Contractors
Existing control
measures
1. Staff awareness
2. Warning signs
3. Incident reporting system
– potential near miss
As above 1. Cables / wiring to be
covered or placed out of
sight
6. Staircases All As above 1. Stairs must be kept free
from obstructions at all
times.
7 Uneven/ poor
condition /
damaged
external surfaces
i.e. , pavements,
potholes, manhole
covers, steps
8. External -
Icy/snowy
entrances, slopes,
steps, carpark
areas.
All As above 1. Staff awareness
2. Display warning signs
3. Incident reporting system
– potential near miss
All As above 1. Staff awareness
2. Monitoring of inclement
weather
Numerical
Risk
Ranking
Overall
risk
rating
Impact Likely E, H,
M , L *
Summary of proposed added control
measures
1. Warning signs are visible and
accessible
2. Flooring hazards to be reported -
Line Manager / Supervisor / Estates
for remedial action
3. Ensure any accidents / incidents are
reported via Incident reporting system
1. Visual ad hoc housekeeping
inspection / audit be implemented
1. Provision of handrails
2. Suitable lighting is provided
1. Report Line Manager / Supervisor /
Estates for remedial action
2. Ensure any accidents / incidents are
reported via Incident reporting system
1. Ensure ‘inclement weather ‘plan in
place
Risk
Register
Ref. No.
(for use by
Managers

APPENDIX B - STAFF GENERIC SLIP, TRIP & FALL ACTION PLAN
Healthcare premises
Office/ Area / Unit / Ward:
Ext:
Risk
Assessment
Item No*
Hazard*
1 Poor housekeeping
in corridors / rooms /
offices / general
areas.
2
Internal wet/slippery
floor surfaces
following a spillage
Action to be implemented to improve control
of risk
1. Information and training
.Ensure:
- All staff attend Health, Safety and Risk
mandatory training
- new / returning to work staff are provided with
local induction
- staff have been provided with Security
protocol
2. All staff training is documented and
evidenced.
3. Visual ad hoc housekeeping inspection take
place regularly
1. Implement and ensure staff are aware
spillage of procedure
2. Ensure warning signs are easily accessible
and available
3. Check floor surfaces for condition, suitability,
fit for purpose
Assessors:
Title:
Responsible
Person(s)
Timescale
Assessment Date:
Review Date:
Revised numerical
Risk Ranking
(to be assessed &
reviewed as action
progresses / completes)
Overall
residual
risk
rating
Impact Likely E, H,
M , L
Risk
Register
ref. No. (for
use by
Managers)

STAFF GENERIC SLIP, TRIP & FALL ACTION PLAN
Risk
Assessment
Item No*
Hazard*
3 Internal slippery floor
surfaces following
cleaning
4
5
Internal uneven floor
coverings i.e.
damaged / worn /
poor condition
surfaces
Trailing electrical
cables / phone wires
in offices / reception
area
Action to be implemented to improve control
of risk
1. Ensure cleaning is undertaken outside peak
periods
2. Monitor and review as appropriate
1. Ensure warning signs are visible and staff are
made aware of potential slip, trip and fall near
miss
2. Report worn / damaged surfaces to line
manager immediately to ensure prompt repair
via Estates.
3. Ensure any accidents / incidents / near misses
are reported via Incident reporting system.
Monitor incidents/statistics
4. Report to Line Manager / Estates for remedial
action
5. Consider raising at appropriate H&S Locality
group
1. Monthly visual audit of office spaces to be
implemented.
2. Cable management to be considered when
occupying new offices / environments
Responsible
Person(s)
Timescale
Revised numerical
Risk Ranking
(to be assessed &
reviewed as action
progresses / completes )
Overall
residual
risk
rating
Impact Likely E, H,
M , L
Risk
Register
ref. No. (for
use by
Manages/

STAFF GENERIC SLIP, TRIP & FALL ACTION PLAN
Risk
Assessment
Item No*
Hazard*
Action to be implemented to improve control
of risk
6 Staircases 1. Ensure handrails provided and securely fitted
7 Uneven/ poor condition
/ damaged external
surfaces i.e. ,
pavements , potholes,
manhole covers, steps
8 Icy/snowy external
entrances, slopes,
steps, car park areas
2. Regular visual check of lighting to ensure good
working order suitable level of lighting. Report any
lighting defects promptly to Line Manager /
Supervisor / Estates
3. Ensure stair coverings are in good condition
1. Ensure warning signs displayed
2. Report immediately to Estates to ensure
barriers/separation as appropriate to protect staff ,
patients, visitors and others from hazard
3. Report to Line Manager / Estates for remedial
action
4. Ensure any accidents / incidents / near misses are
reported via Incident reporting system. Monitor
incidents/statistics
5. Consider raising at appropriate H&S Locality group
1. Ensure ‘inclement weather’ plan in place i.e.
- Estates / GSA’s involvement
- grit, salt, sand, shovels available / accessible
- priority clearing / no access areas
- shared with staff
2. Ensure slippery surfaces / black ice / uneven
surfaces are well signposted.
- Public and contactor awareness
Responsible
Person(s)
Timescale
Revised numerical
Risk Ranking
(to be assessed &
reviewed as action
progresses / completes )
Overall
residual
risk
rating
Impact Likely E, H,
M , L
Risk
Register
ref. No. (for
use by
Managers)

Appendix C
LADDER AND STEPLADDER CHECKLIST
Common causes of ladder falls
Over reaching
Ladder in poor condition
Ladder not suitable for the work
1. Is the ladder right for the job Yes / No Comments
Is the job low risk
Is the work of short duration
Is a stability device or stand required
2. Is the ladder up to the job Yes / No Comments
Is it long enough to reach the work easily
Can it be placed securely on the surface
Can you maintain three points of contact (leaning ladder)
Can the ladder be set up at the right angle
Is the surface it is leaning on secure
Is it of the right classification (trade – industrial)
3. Is the ladder in good condition Yes / No Comments
Check stiles and rungs or steps
Check the feet – are they missing, loose, damaged, worn
Are rivets in place and secure
Check locking bars on stepladders are not bent or
buckled
4. Do you know how to set up the ladder Yes / No Comments
Do you know the correct angle for use
Do you know how to use any stability devices
Can you secure or tie the ladder at the top or bottom
5. Using the ladder safely Yes / No Comments
Make sure there are three points of contact available
(leaning ladder)
Do not over reach
If you need to carry tools and equipment, make sure you
do this safely
Make sure you know the maximum safe loads on the
ladder
Always position the ladder face on to the work
Make sure any locking bars are I the proper position
Wear the right footwear and make sure the soles are
clean
Footing the ladder – do you know how best to do it and
that it is the last option?
Working near people and near doors – have you made
the area safe – ie warning signs, second person lookout
6. Looking after the ladder Yes / No Comments
Check ladder has unique identifying number for checking
and inspection purposes
Is the ladder stored safely
Can you transport the ladder safely
Ensure the rungs are kept clean