Housekeeping, Slips, Trips and Falls and the 6S Method

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1 Housekeeping, Slips, Trips and Falls and the 6S Method NASS Three Year Plan Module Four Publication Date: 22 nd December 2011 The NASS Health and Safety Committee have agreed a three year plan to be carried out in 2010, 2011 and This plan involves a rolling programme of two subjects per year to be covered with guidance issued on each, and this is the second document to be produced under the Plan for This document is aimed at Senior Management, Chief Executives and Managing Directors. HSE and Wolverhampton City Council have been consulted on this document and both organisations endorse the principles of health and safety management, as set out in the main article and its appendices.

2 Slips, Trips and falls Slips, trips and falls are one of the most significant causes of accidents in the UK. In , 63 people lost their lives and thousands more people were seriously injured as a result of falling from height. People s lives are shattered and the costs run into millions. 20% of the reported accidents to NASS were due to slips, trips and falls. By taking certain measures, we can all help to reduce slipping, tripping and falling accidents in our workplaces. What the law says The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work. This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 build on HSWA and include duties on employers to assess risks (including slip and trip risks) and where necessary take action to safeguard health and safety. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must be able to move around safely. What employers need to do All employers have to assess the risks to employees and others who may be affected by their work, e.g. visitors and members of the public. This helps to find out what needs to be done to control the risk. It is also needed to satisfy the law. A good management system will help you to identify problem areas, decide what to do, act on decisions made and check that the steps taken have been effective. For slip and trip risks to be adequately controlled you need to undertake a risk assessment. Employers have to ensure their employees and anyone else who could be affected by their work (such as visitors, members of the public, patients etc.), are kept safe from harm and that their health is not affected. Employers have to adhere to the relevant laws and standards when it comes to managing slips and trips on their premises. What employees need to do Under The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employees must not endanger themselves or others and must use any safety equipment provided. Under The Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999, employees have a duty to report any situation that might present a serious and imminent danger and they should also notify employers of any shortcomings in the health and safety arrangements. Health and Safety Committee 2

3 Risk assessment For slip and trip risks to be adequately controlled you need to undertake a risk assessment. Similar to other topics there is a hierarchy of controls. Step 1 Look for slip and trip hazards around the workplace, such as uneven floors, trailing cables, areas that are sometimes slippery due to spillages. Include outdoor areas. Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how. Who comes into the workplace? Are they at risk? Do you have any control over them? Remember that older people and people with disabilities may be at particular risk. Step 3 Consider the risks. Are the precautions already taken adequate to deal with the risks? Step 4 Record your findings if you have five or more employees. Step 5 Regularly review the assessment. If any significant changes take place, make sure existing precautions and management arrangements are still adequate to deal with the risks Preventing Slips Health and Safety Committee 3

4 1. Prevent contamination getting on floor Stop contamination getting on to the floor, remember a smooth, clean, dry floor, is rarely a slip risk. a. Review work activities - Contamination comes in various forms, fluids, swarf, saw dust, 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 if it is to be stopped from getting on to the floor. b. Design out problems - Good design can also prevent contamination from getting onto the floor, e.g. fit canopies over entrances, and fix leaking machines. 2. Control contamination If you can t stop it, can you control it? a. Review work activities - Again looking at the way in which people work, e.g. do they clean up after themselves? Are they using bins? b. Employee & employer attitude A positive attitude toward slips and trips is needed. When it comes to contamination and housekeeping, all need to have a see it sort it mentality, rather than a leave it to someone else attitude. c. Suitable and timely cleaning regimes Cleaning systems play a big part of contamination control, the right system, at the right time to be carried out safely. A good floor that is allowed to become engrained with contamination will soon turn into a slip risk. d. 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 machines and racking; use mats at entrances; 3. Eliminate adverse environmental conditions Look for conditions that could affect the way a person behaves or prevent them from realising where the hazards are? a. Check lighting is suitable - it doesn t matter how good the floor is, if you can t see where you are going there is always the risk that someone might slip and fall. b. Is condensation a problem - If the floor were smooth, only a tiny amount of liquid would be sufficient 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. c. Ice on floors during winter months, or where there are cold stores/freezers, ice may be a problem d. Rainwater able to enter building Can you fit canopies over doors? Fix leaking roofs. Provide suitable matting at entrances for people to dry feet thoroughly 4. Improve floor conditions Flooring What tasks are taking place? - What tasks might compromise the ability to walk safely? Is there a need to carry, lift, push or pull loads? Are people rushing about? Do they have hands free to hold on to hand rails? Are they being distracted? Scrutinise the work activities and process flow to see if it can be handled better. Don t forget about vulnerable people, that is anyone who may have a poor knowledge of the risks or poor health and agility? What about visitors or members of the public? There are many types of flooring in our environment, manufacturing, processing, warehousing, offices and even the beds of lorries and vans, they may need special maintenance, surface preparation and repairs also different types of cleaning fluids to keep the floors in good condition. Health and Safety Committee 4

5 Flooring/ Lorry beds should be inspected regularly to ensure that: A. They have sufficient roughness to ensure non-slip in wet conditions. Remember etching and other techniques won't work on all floors, will shorten the life of the floor and will probably need to be repeated. B. To ensure that there are no trip hazards e.g. holes, uneven surfaces, curled up carpet edges C. To ensure that non slip coatings are correctly applied D. Regular maintenance inspections are carried out. E. Ramps, raised platforms and other changes of level should be avoided, if they can t they must be highlighted. F. The correct products should be used when cleaning to ensure that the floor/ lorry bed do not become slippery and keeps its non slip resistance properties. G. All contamination e.g. rainwater, oil, grease, cardboard, product wrapping, dust etc. the list is endless. It can be a by-product of a work process or be due to adverse weather conditions, should be cleared as soon as possible to prevent slips or trips, with correct signage in place. H. There is a suitable walkway through the workplace I. The walkway is kept it clear, no trailing wires, no obstructions. J. The workstation / other working room s floors are tidy and there is enough storage space K. There enough waste bins. Stairs should have: High visibility, non-slip, step edges A suitable handrail Steps of equal height Steps of equal width 5. Footwear Footwear can play an important part in preventing slips and trips. In work situations, the right footwear will be especially important, so a slip resistant shoe may be required. If an employer introduces a slip resistant shoe policy, the footwear will be considered to be personal protective equipment and will be subject to the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations. Slip-resistant industrial footwear will normally have been tested for slip-resistance according to BS EN 13287: Personal protective equipment Footwear Test method for slip resistance, often using SATRA test method TM 144. Do not select footwear on the basis of brochure descriptions or laboratory test results alone. Footwear, which claims slipresistance, may not perform well in your work environment. Health and Safety Committee 5

6 So how can you make the best choice? A. Choosing the most suitable slip-resistant footwear for a particular environment / work activity can be difficult. Descriptions of slip-resistance given in suppliers brochures range from improving the grip performance to excellent multi-directional slipresistance, but often do not describe the work environments for which footwear are, or are not, suitable. B. Undertake a footwear trial before buying sufficient stock for your entire workforce. C. Footwear can perform differently in different situations. For example, footwear that performs well in wet conditions might not be suitable in warehouse or production areas. D. A good tread pattern is essential on fluid-contaminated surfaces. The by the leading edges in all directions should sweep away lubricant leaving dry contact under cleats. E. Sole tread patterns should not become clogged with any waste or debris on the floor. If they do then that design of sole is unsuitable for the situation. F. When choosing footwear take into account of factors such as comfort, durability and any additional safety features required, such as steel mid-sole. The final choice may have to be a compromise. Preventing Trips You need to get all aspects under control in order to prevent trips. Walkways - Check for a suitable walkways? Are they in the right place, are they being used, are they available for use? What tasks are taking place on the walkway is the task preventing the employee from seeing where he is going for example. Housekeeping It is not just good enough to have a walkway, it must be kept clear, no trailing wires, no obstructions. Employees and cleaners need to have a see it, sort it attitude to ensure these and other work areas are kept clear. Is the cleaning regime effective? Are there enough bins, storage facilities etc? Design and maintenance is the floor suitable for the environment, fitted correctly and properly maintained. Are the walkways wide enough & level. Are stairs suitable, are risers consistent, are nosings highlighted where necessary, are usable handrails available. Environmental factors also fall into this category, is the lighting good enough for employees to see hazards, what about distractions that might prevent them from seeing where they are going. Health and Safety Committee 6

7 Slips and Trips Hazard Spotting Checklist Slip/Trip Potential Yes/No Recommended Action Outdoor areas Set up a cleaning schedule for clearing paths and Are all Paths, steps, walkways, fire escapes kept fire escapes of moss, debris and overgrown vegetation. clear of debris, leaves, moss grass etc? Are there any changes in level or sloping that is not easy to see? Are there potholes, cracks or uneven surfaces on paths? Do paths become iced over during cold weather? Highlight the hazard Improve lighting Use non-slip paint on slopes Temporarily- barrier off the area and improve lighting Repair any potholes and replace any damaged paving stones Monitor weather conditions, lay grit where needed. Is there another, safer route? Are all external walkways, pathways adequately lit? Improve lighting at floor level as well general lighting Are fire escapes slippery Improve grip- add slip resistant coatings or strips when wet? Consider floor plate as an option Entrances, bay doors Consider slip resistant coating for floors Does rain water enter the Non slip mats at entrances warehouse/building? Do delivery drivers un-sheet or open their trailers inside Housekeeping, use a rubber squeegee to push the water back outside. Mop up any remaining water the warehouse, after or during wet weather conditions? Offices, corridoors Are there changes in floor Make sure adequate lighting is in place, if not improve level,, any small steps or Highlight changes in levels slopes? Are there any tiles lifting up or flooring peeling back? Fix down any tiles or flooring that is lifting, replace if need be Are there any holes in the Fill in any holes immediately floors? Are there any trip hazards around workstations or in corridors and walkways, eg Keep walkways clear, tidy away or use cable covers, provide additional storage, clear away boxes and equipment trailing cables,boxes, deliveries, equipment or other objects? Are lighting level too low? New bulbs, improve lighting Health and Safety Committee 7

8 Slip/Trip Potential Yes/No Recommended Action Stairways, ramps Are edges of steps hard to see? Are step nosings damaged or rounded? Are handrails available on stairways? Are steps on stirway all of equal height? Check lighting is sufficient, highlight step edges and make sure they are non-slip Repair or replace any damaged step nosings A handrail should available on at least one side of the stairs, if more than a meter wide handrails should be provided on both sides Highlight the hazard, correct the stairs to make them equal height Are stairs slippery? Clean stairs regularly to remove any contaminants. Are any ramps or slopes in the workplace difficult to see? Work areas, work platforms, warehouse Does contamination get onto the floor as part of the work process? Does this make the floor slippery? This could be people spilling things, machinery leaking or the process ejecting a byproduct Does condensation contaminate flooring, does it drip from overhead pipes, does it make the floor slippery? Is all water drainage working correctly? Are designated walkways kept clear at all times and free from debris Are walkways damaged, uneven or do they contain potholes? Are there any trip hazards around workstations, e.g. trailing cables, boxes, deliveries or other objects? Are lighting levels correct. Not enough light, too much glare? Replace slippery surface with non-slip surface Highlight slope with a different colour Consider slip resistant flooring Consider handrails Stop contamination getting on the floor, provide bins, change system of work, improve layout of work area, replace lids on containers, don t over fill containers, local exhaust ventilation for dust Repair any leaks on machinery Prevent contamination spreading, bund machinery, use drip trays and splash boards Clean up any spills immediately, vacuum or sweep up dust Improve grip and provide non-slip footwear Improve ventilation Insulate overhead pipework Improve grip and provide non-slip footwear Improve/unblock floor drainage Keep gangways clear, create extra storage if necessary. Have a cleaning rota for all designated walkways Maintenance required fill in holes, re-lay/replace defective flooring Temporarily, highlight hazard, barrier off where necessary Use 6s methodology to clean and clear. Use see it, sort it mentality Housekeeping Improve lighting new bulbs, re-angle, additional lights, install antiglare grills Stop glare consider removing floor surface shine, use softer lighting Health and Safety Committee 8

9 Slip/Trip Potential Yes/No Recommended Action Toilets, wash rooms Stop water getting onto the floor, use deeper sinks, move hand dryers closer to the sinks Is water spilling onto the Quickly remove water spillages, monitor the area floor? Is the floor slippery regularly when wet? Improve drainage Non-slip flooring, equip staff with non-slip footwear Are taps or pipes leaking? Maintenance repair any leaks immediately Waste paper towels Provide bins, contaminating the floor Housekeeping General cleaning Encourage a see it, sort it mentality Ensure spill kits and cleaning equipment is readily requirements available Are spillages left on the floor Monitor cleaning regime and schedule to see if it is for a while before being sufficient. If not consider a full time roving cleaner cleaned up? Are floors wet moped? Consider using absorbent paper to dry floor. If floors are slippery use warning signs/cones, barrier off Put signs/cones away when floor is dry Train how to mop properly and supervise Do cleaning equipment leads Coil up unused cable Provide more sockets along the cleaning route and trail across walkways use the closest one creating a trip hazard? Consider battery/rechargeable equipment Provide training and supervision Do bin bags or cleaning equipment in walkways Clear up and dispose of rubbish as you go along Provide training and supervision create a trip hazard? Tasks Does the job people do, restict vision, stopping them seeing trip/slip hazards? Review work activities Review and improve systems of work to avoid manual handling and moving items where possible Health and Safety Committee 9

10 Good Housekeeping and 6 S Twenty per cent of the reported accidents to NASS were due to slips, trips and falls by taking some measures this can help to reduce accidents and add to your bottom line. One method of helping to prevent poor housekeeping is to follow the 6S system this not only covers housekeeping but also helps with maintenance and moral. 6S Check list To start a 6S program you need to get things cleaned up and organized as one of the first steps to better housekeeping and general improvements. Purpose: To measure and improve 6s workplace organization. a. A 6S Audit Checklist should be carried out by a supervisor who physically inspects the working area b. Print the finds of the Audit, monitor and manage improvement over time c. By involving the team this should help to motivate your team members to continuously improve. d. A scorecard system can be introduced for each area. Personalise it A scorecard is especially useful when it is personalized for each work area - perhaps with different rating scale evaluation criteria for different types of teams: New. vs. experienced teams Manufacturing, Office or any type of Operational team (visit for more information Red Tags and Red Tag Logs 6S Red Tags Purpose: To provide a systematic approach to your Sort activities. Every employee should be trained to attach a Red Tag to any item that they suspect might be unnecessary within their work area (when in doubt - tag it) AT ANY TIME (this is not a one-time project) a supply of Red Tags should always be available in a known, easily-accessed location. Before disposition is carried out... the Team Leader approves the suggested Action, and an entry is made into the Red Tag Log for that Work Area. If there is ANY doubt, the item is moved into the temporary Red Tag Storage area, where it can be easily retrieved if the item proves necessary after all. When items are moved from Red Tag Storage, the Red Tag Log is updated to record the ultimate disposition. Health and Safety Committee 10

11 6S Housekeeping to organise the workplace The 6S workplace organisation process usually starts out by sorting the Sort useful from the unnecessary. The only things that should remain in a work area are the parts, tools, & instructions needed to do the job. Everything has a place; everything is in its place. Straighten or This is also a good time for your team to create a Visual Scoreboard, Set in Order checking, lights, floor paint, tool and equipment shadow boards and other visual controls. Sweep & Clean Standardise Maybe painting, sweeping, and whatever else is needed to make your work place clean and tidy. In the Standardise phase of Lean 6 S, routine cleaning becomes a way of life. Sustain Safety (the 6th S) Preventative maintenance is routinely performed, perhaps with planning and scheduling and some responsibilities done by your central maintenance department, and as much routine maintenance as possible performed by the people that know that work center better than anyone else. 6 S should become a routine way of life identifying root causes which are then routinely dealt with. The audit becomes familiar to everyone - both supervisors and the workers will then come to appreciate the benefits of 6S. Some companies name their program 6S - to emphasise safety - but the truth is that safety is inseparably intertwined with every one of the traditional 5 categories. An uncluttered workplace is a safer workplace. A well maintained piece of equipment is a safer piece of equipment. A clean workplace is a safer workplace. The Deep Horizon oil spill would not have happened if the workers had followed their Standardised Work Working at Height how to prevent falls Avoid work at height where you can; Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where you cannot avoid Working at height; and where you 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. All work at height must be properly planned and organised; Those involved in work at height must be competent; The risks from work at height is assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used; The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and Equipment for work at height is properly inspected and maintained Working at height should be supervised with a plan for emergencies and rescue with the weather conditions taken into account. There are many different solutions and safeguards on the market to help you such as collective fall prevention (e.g. guardrails and working platforms), collective fall arrest (e.g. nets, airbags etc), personal fall protection (e.g. work restraints, fall arrest and rope access) and ladders. Health and Safety Committee 11

12 When can ladders be used? Ladders can be used if, after assessing the risks, the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration. Short duration is taken to be between 15 and 30 minutes depending upon the task. Ladders can also be used for low risk work where there are features on the site that mean a ladder must be used. Common causes of falls from ladders Common causes of falls from ladders include those where: You can help prevent this type of fall if you: The user over-reaches Keep your body centred within the ladder Always keep three points of contact with the ladder Keep the rungs clean and in good condition Wear non-slip footwear, if necessary clean the soles before using the ladder The user slips from the ladder Are fit to work at height Are trained to use a ladder Keep three points of contact with the ladder Make sure the rungs are horizontal Position the ladder correctly on a firm, level surface The ladder wobbles, slips and falls Check the feet of the ladder daily Fasten the ladder at top and bottom Rest the ladder on a firm surface at the top Position the ladder properly, use the 1 in 4 rule for leaning ladders The ladder breaks Do not exceed the maximum weight limit on the ladder Only carry light materials or tools (up to 10kg) Health and Safety Committee 12

13 Is a ladder right for the job? Always risk assess whether a ladder is right for the job. The HSE website contains a large amount of information on this subject, including the Work at Height, Access equipment Information Toolkit (WAIT) please see references section for the link to this tool. You should also check your ladder before use, a link for an HSE tool to help you through this process is in the reference section. The HSE have produced a guide on the safe use of ladders and stepladders (INDG402), this is aimed at employers, the self-employed and people who work on ladders. There is also a toolbox talk (INDG403) to help ladder users recognise the risks and work safely. This is supported by a pocket card (INDG405), which provides useful information on safe ladder for users to keep with them as they work (see references for links). Some sensible tips for using a ladder safely are listed below. The ladder should be: Prevented from slipping, Prevented from moving before it is stepped on, Long enough to do the job safely, Have a handhold available to allow the worker to maintain 3 points of contact where possible, Used without overreaching, Inspected and checked regularly where necessary. Duty holders should check that workers are fit to use the equipment that they are provided with. Employees or contractors should report any issues (including health issues) that may affect their safety or the safety of others. Some of the human factors that would prevent you from using a ladder are: Recurring dizziness Epilepsy Psychiatric conditions (including fear of heights) Heart condition Severe lung conditions Alcohol and drug abuse Significant impaired joint function Medication that recommends you do not operate machinery could also be a problem References HSE WAIT link: HSE Ladder Pre-Use checklist link: HSE Employers guide to working on ladders: HSE Toolbox Talk: Pocket Card size: Health and Safety Committee 13