Liquid spills in the workplace lead directly to slips and falls which kill and injure. Their cost to a company's reputation and profitability is considerable too. This paper details the hazards facing your operation and the products and processes developed to help you mitigate them.
Liquid spills in the workplace lead directly to slips and falls which kill and injure. Their cost to a company’s reputation, operations and profitability is considerable too.
This paper details the hazards facing your operation and the products and processes developed to help you mitigate them.
It is likely to be of special interest if you hold any of the following positions:
• Maintenance Manager• Technical Specialist• Operations or Production Manager• Engineer• Purchasing Officer• Stores Manager• Administrator• Company Executive or Director• Laboratory Technician• Warehouse Manager• Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Liquid spiLLs in the workpLace and how to give them the sLip
spiLLing the truth on spiLLagesAccidents caused by liquid spills in the workplace don’t just injure people. They damage an organisation’s reputation and can hamper their operation too. Add in the risks of legal action and expensive compensation and this is clearly one class of accident you need to hurdle.
Statistics show that:• Slip, trip and fall incidents
in the UK workplace cost 40 workers their lives in 2009.1
• Slips, trips and falls are the single most common cause of major injury in the UK workplace.2
• 95% of major slips result in broken bones.2
• Slip and fall injuries account for 33% of all major injuries reported.3
• Nearly 11,000 major slip or fall incidents are recorded each year.4
• Slip and fall accidents cost employers more than £512 million per year.2
• Slip and fall accidents cost the health service £133 million per year.2
Your LegaL obLigationAs the number-one cause of workplace injuries, slips and falls are a major driver of Health and Safety legislation.
Health and Safety at Work Act 19742
• Provisions require employers to ensure that those present on their premises are kept safe from harm and from factors dangerous to their health. Employees and other relevant parties – such as visitors, customers and members of the public – are all covered by this legislation.
• Potential causes of slips, such as wet spillages, must be controlled to mitigate risk.
• Employees are obliged to use any safety equipment provided to mitigate risk.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 19992
• Built on the 1974 provisions. Obliges employers to assess risks in the workplace – including potential causes of slips, trips and falls – and, where necessary, to take action to safeguard health and safety.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 19922
• Requires floors be suitable for the workplace and work activity and be kept in good condition free of obstructions.
• Requires people in the workplace to move around safely.
Failure to comply with this legislation puts you at risk of prosecution – even if no accident has actually occurred. As the Health and Safety Executive explains, “Legal actions brought as a result of an injury can be extremely damaging to business, especially where the public is involved.” 2 Best practice is to investigate the latest practices, products and technologies designed to ensure compliance.
As the Health and Safety Executive explains, “Legal actions brought as a result of an injury can be extremely damaging to business, especially where the public is involved.” 2
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
additionaL risks to Your organisationIn the event of an accident, it’s not just the risk of prosecution you need to worry about. Slips and falls caused by liquid spills can send the performance of your organisation tumbling too.
Damage to your reputation
Accidents in the workplace have always been harmful to an organisation’s profile. Word of mouth can often become inaccurate and exaggerated ‘Chinese whispers’ – and local newspapers, who love bad news, have always been quick to sensationalise matters. Even the skeptical listener or reader may come away thinking there’s no smoke without fire.
Today, thanks to the Internet – and in particular to social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook – the public at large is more inter-connected than ever. This poses special challenges for businesses, and especially for their reputations.
News of even a relatively minor accident in the workplace can become public knowledge in minutes, casting doubts on a company’s health-and-safety practices and, by extension, on its wider credentials. In extreme cases, consumers have even actioned demonstrations and product boycotts to punish organisations seen as neglectful.
Damage to your operation
An employee injured in a fall caused by a slip may be unable to resume their normal duties for days, months or even years. This is especially damaging to your organisation if the affected person is highly skilled as any replacement will take time and resources to train up.
In such circumstances – and especially if, as with factory production runs, there’s urgency to resume business as normal – a quick-fix solution may be to recruit agency staff. But these are typically more expensive to employ than in-house people and lack in-depth knowledge of your operation.
More damaging still can be the effect of a slip-induced fall on overall morale within the workplace. Questions like: “How did the accident happen?”, “How long will they be off work?”, “Will they be permanently disabled?” and “Could it have happened to me?” can cast a dark pall over an otherwise happy workforce, harming productivity and relations between employers and employees. In the worse-case scenario, such incidents can even trigger strikes and other industrial action.
Damage to your bottom line
Typically, slips and falls caused by liquid spills result in claims for compensation to cover the physical, emotional and financial harm caused to a victim and their future prospects.
Worsening this situation is the rise of today’s ‘compensation culture’, with aggressive, no-win, no-fee law firms having a vested interest in apportioning blame and maximising pay-outs. While the UK government is seeking to limit the influence of these parties5, the financial consequences of any incident can be enormous.
By law, you are required to have employer’s liability insurance. But this is only likely to cover a small proportion of the total costs, with your business having to make up the difference. This is likely to include: wages for the injured worker or workers while they recover, loss of production through down time and remedial work, overtime wages paid to make good production shortfalls, legal expenses and fines and court costs.
Such expenses can be considerable – for example, trips, slips and falls and other accidents and injury claims resulted in councils in the West Midlands and Staffordshire paying £10.6 million in public liability cases between 2008 and 2010.6
Should your business experience such an incident, the price you pay for your liability insurance is likely to rocket too. For example, an employee breaking an arm can increase your premiums by £6,000 or more.2
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
towards a more surefooted workpLaceSlips and falls occur when a contaminant intervenes between the floor and the person using it. Clean, dry surfaces normally provide sound footing – but liquid spills can transform these into hazardous, even deadly hazards.
Eliminating slips and falls caused by liquid spills therefore becomes a 4-step process:
1. Identify the risk of slip incidents across each area of the workplace.
2. Develop ways to isolate liquids from contacting the floor.
3. Develop ways to control and contain liquid spills should they occur.
4. Educate and train to sustain best practice and mitigate risk.
Identify the riskTake an in-depth look at your workplace, examining where you use, store, transport and dispose of liquids. Each area should be assessed for potential risks – criteria to consider include: amounts of liquid likely to come into contact with the floor, types of liquid and the specific hazards they pose, available cleaning procedures, how much foot traffic the area receives and previous slip accidents that have occurred within it.
Remember: for every accident resulting in a major slip accident, there are likely to be 40 resulting in more minor injuries or no injuries at all.2 Considering these can be the key to forestalling a bigger problem in the future.
isoLate the hazardDesigning-out the risk of a wet spillage completely – with new machinery and equipment – is often the ideal solution. But complexity and cost may preclude this option.
A second way to isolate the liquids that might cause a spill hazard is to tightly limit and manage their storage and movement. Within your workplace, liquids will be used in countless processes – including production, cleaning, testing, maintenance and transport. They are likely to be stored in vessels of all sizes and configurations – from laboratory beakers, through water-cooler bottles and dedicated containers for flammable and toxic chemicals, to waste-oil tanks and fuel silos.
Best practice recommends that you:
• Take care to comply with all relevant containment regulations, including: The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) 2001 and the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland 2006) Regulations, HSG 51 The Storage of Flammable Liquids in Containers, PPG26, COSHH, Environmental Protection Act (1990).
• When appropriate and chemically compatible, use transparent storage liquid containers so all concerned can see how much liquid is being stored.
• Line shelves and cabinets with appropriate absorbent matting or trays to protect against small container spillages.
• Ensure liquid storage is properly signposted and marked so employees, cleaners and visitors can take suitable precautions.
• Review your workflow layout to ensure liquids are being transported no more than necessary.
• Ensure that employees transport liquid using equipment designed for the purpose and in the approved manner.
• Make sure you have appropriate flooring where you need to transport liquids. Uneven flooring can cause employees to slip and fall while transporting liquids with potentially fatal consequences.
• Consider how your facility disposes of its waste liquids and how this could be rationalised.
Within your workplace, liquids will be used in countless processes – including production, cleaning, testing, maintenance and transport.
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
contain the hazardEven a minor liquid spill can pose a major slip hazard. So it’s essential all spill events are quickly contained – ideally before the liquid comes into contact with the floor.
In this respect, capturing leaks from machinery, drums and other sources before they reach walkways is essential. Products designed for this purpose include:
• Absorbent Socks – these mould around the bases of machines or containers to stop spills fouling the floor.
• Drip Trays, Pans and Absorbent Pillows – place under machinery to catch leaks and drips.
• Barrel-Top Mats – use to prevent liquids leaking down the sides of drums during transfer.
• Dispensing Dollies – these provide drum transportation and a dispensing station to act as secondary containment for leaks and drips.
• Spill Pallets and Decks – ideal for containing larger liquid spills that often occur in material dispensing and waste-collection areas.
• Leak Diverters – these capture and divert roof and office leaks.
Should a liquid come into contact with the floor or other prescribed surfaces, these products will help you eliminate the risk of slips and falls:
• Absorbent Mats – use these to soak up leaks, drips and spills on walkways.
• Wipes – these effectively absorb cleaners, oil, grease, coolants and solvents; others are used to remove dry contaminants like dust and dirt which can also cause slips and falls.
• Entrance Mats – these reduce the amount of water and dirt that is tracked from the outside to the inside.
• Spill Kits – keep these in high-risk areas to quickly and effectively control hazardous liquid spills.
Additional safety products you may want to consider include:
• Anti-slip Mats – perforated with drainage holes, these elevate workers out of standing pools of liquid to reduce contact with a slip hazard.
• Slip-Resistant Floor Paint and Coatings – these improve the safety of all those using your facility.
• Anti-Slip Tape, Tread and Coverings – these help prevent slips and falls on stairs, landings, ramps, ladders and floors.
Capturing leaks from machinery, drums and other sources before they reach walkways is essential.
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
absorbing the riskAbsorbent Mats and Spill Kits help contain liquid spills, preventing slips and falls in the workplace. You are also advised to develop your own spill response plan.
Five factors to consider when choosing Absorbent Mats are:
• The precise type or types of liquids needed to be absorbed.
• Likely volumes of liquid needed to be absorbed – manufacturers of Absorbent Mats can advise you on the right products to meet your needs.
• Liquid retention – Absorbent Mats designed with a strong microstructure are able to soak up and retain more before they become saturated.
• Product durability – Absorbent Mats formed from multiple layers have enhanced strength and abrasion resistance so last longer and reduce your overall cost.
• Gripping characteristics – for an Absorbent Mat to prevent slips and falls, it must stay securely to the surface it’s applied to and not shift underfoot.
Spill Kits provide the tools to prevent accidents from becoming tragedies – provided they have been carefully selected and located. Remember to ensure that each one is:
• Chemically suitable for the type of liquid it’s likely to come into contact with – remedies that aren’t fit for purpose can actually increase the hazard.
• Sufficient to deal with the largest amount of liquid likely to be spilled – overestimate your ability to absorb a hazard and it will quickly spread.
• Located to enable the quickest response. Spill Kits that are inaccessible or out of sight are of no value when an accident occurs.
• Easy to maneuver in a spill situation – responders having to carry bulky or unwieldy items over slippery floors is a recipe for disaster.
A comprehensive spill response mitigates not just the risk of slips and falls but of other health and environmental hazards too:
1. Assess the risk. Decide the type and amount of liquid that has spilled, and the risk posed to spill responders and the environment.
2. Equip the responders. If appropriate, ensure responders have protective clothing and equipment.
3. Confine the spill. Use absorbent socks and non-absorbent barriers to keep the spill from spreading into walkways, water sources and drains.
4. Stop the spill at its source. This may be as simple as turning a displaced container upright or closing a valve, or may require plugging a leak.
5. Evaluate and implement the clean-up. Absorbent Pillows and Mat Pads may be used in conjunction with vacuuming and pumping equipment to complete the clean up after a large spill.
6. Decontaminate. With the clean up complete, all those exposed to potentially hazardous materials will need to be thoroughly decontaminated. Likewise the affected area – and any tools used such as shovels, pumps and vacuums – will require cleaning and possibly degreasing.
7. Report. Complete all reporting procedures in accordance with local and national guidelines for spill incidents.
Absorbent Mats designed with a strong microstructure are able to soak up and retain more liquid before they become saturated.
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
absorbing the LessonsCreating a workplace in which liquid spills are less likely to occur – and are less likely to cause slips and falls should they occur – requires a proactive approach by employers and employees alike. Central to this is education and communication.
Rather than intuitive ‘common sense’, safety in the workplace is learned behaviour and it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure this is taught. Ideally, such training will go beyond instruction in the simple ‘do’s and don’ts’ of workplace safety to explain the ‘why’s’ of using the best products and processes as well.
For example, why shouldn’t cardboard be laid over a liquid spill? Because it’s ineffective, has poor grip and may increase the risk of a slip and fall. Isn’t water the ideal way to wash away a spill hazard? Not necessarily – better to use a spill kit especially
formulated for the liquid in question. Surely fabric rags are OK for staunching leaks from machines and containers? No – dedicated Absorbent Mats and Socks are constructed and configured to soak up more and to achieve a tighter fit.
With this kind of knowledge, employees become actively engaged in safety and are empowered to identify potential hazards independently. Research by the Health and Safety Executive shows that involving employees in your planning reduces accidents by a quarter.2
An informed workforce requires ways to pass on its concerns and suggestions, so it’s crucial that clear and efficient communication paths are established. Whether the employee’s point of contact is a supervr, plant manager or safety co-ordinator, it’s essential this person is trained to listen and enquire – if an organisation’s leaders don’t show a proactive concern for improving safety, no-one else will.
Multiple reporting methods – these may include face-to-face contact, safety meetings, email and phone contacts, even a suggestion box – are recommended. Bulletin boards and intranets are ways to get the word out.
Lastly, always follow up on suggestions – an issue communicated must be validated. Ensure an employee feels his contribution is welcome and keep them informed of the status of their suggestion. Nothing kills initiative like ignoring it.
References1 HR Review - 8/2/20102 Health and Safety Executive3 Westminster City Council
4 Your Legal Rights/Barbour Environment Health and Safety5 BBC News – 19/6/20106 Midland News Association/expressandstar.com - 25/9/2010
Research by the Health and Safety Executive shows that involving employees in your planning reduces accidents by a quarter.2
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • [email protected]
