Three Tips To Avoid Slipping In Your Workspace

Three Tips To Avoid Slipping In Your Workspace
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16 Jul 2019

Did you know that slips, trips, or falls in the workplace led to 23% of serious workplace accident claims over 12 years between 2003-15 in Australia and 386 workers were killed as a result? A factory or warehouse that incorporates non slip mats or any other non slip flooring to mitigate any slips, trips or fall is a safe and healthy workplace. Slips can occur due to inappropriate footwear in the industrial environment; however what people are wearing is not all to blame. Here are three tips to avoid slips from happening in your workspace, whether you’re in a factory, warehouse, retail, or other high-traffic work environment.
 

1.Identify risks in the work environment

Environmental factors such as poorly maintained or designed walkways, dim lighting, or slippery surfaces can all contribute to slip hazards. Slips can occur on wet, greasy, or polished surfaces that are not marked off properly; likewise, on stairs, steps, curbs, or other holes. Slips can also occur outside due to wet weather or spills. Spills of oils, greases, and water on tiled floors in kitchens and bathrooms can also contribute to slips. These types of workplaces include hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, aged care and childcare facilities, workshops, and factories. Trips can also happen when walkways and work areas are cluttered with boxes, equipment, or cylinders such as pipes or bars. Tripping over unsecure extension cords are also a major cause of risk. Identifying these risks goes a long way in remedying them as time goes on.
 

2.Install or maintain anti slip matting or surfaces

Installing or keeping anti slip mats or surfaces goes a long way in preventing slips. Anti slip tape or anti slip stair nosing, in addition to anti slip boots or shoes can reduce slips around the most problem areas of your workplace. Anti slip mats also have the added benefits of being anti fatigue or anti static mats. Anti fatigue mats help keep workers’ joints and muscles well circulated and healthy, promoting blood flow and reducing pressure. Other types of non slip mat and anti fatigue mats such as Backsafe’s Engineers Anti Fatigue Mat may have draining features that allow spilled liquids to disperse so they may be cleaned. 

Other types of anti slip mats such as Backsafe’s Electrical Safety Mats are insulated for electrical work. Some are heavy duty for industrial spaces; grounded for anti-static properties; and anti-bacterial/anti-septic for health or hospitality work. Another tip is to keep surfaces consistent across the workplace. 

3.Keep up awareness and training

Awareness of slip hazards with high-visibility signage and lighting is essential to controlling slips.


Knowledge and training in wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is required regularly for new and continuing employees and visitors. Conducting regular workplace inspections to identify new hazards should happen well before you get a knock on the door from your state workplace inspector. You should have adequate and secure storage to ensure the environment is free of clutter and prevents spills.

To find out more about anti slip mats and surfaces, see Backsafe Australia’s extensive range of anti slip materials with anti fatigue properties. Contact us here for a quote or for more information or call us on 1300 305 314.

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