Slips Trips and Falls Guidance

According to port industry statistics, ‘slips and trips’ are consistently the highest cause of all accidents which are reportable to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 (37% of the total in 2002). ‘Falls from height’ is the fifth highest accident cause (nearly 8% of the total in 2002)(1). With over 39% of ports’ accidents occurring on board ships, management of this problem area is as important on board ship as it is ashore.

Regulations impose a duty on all employers to ensure a safe place of work, to assess risks and have appropriate arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of those risks, good surfaces, lighting and safe access, keeping surfaces clean and clear of obstructions, as well as additional requirements for docks in planning, lighting and fencing. The HSE has also recently revised the generic guidance on the subject of slips, trips and falls.