Focus on reducing slips, trips and falls in May

WorkCover NSW has designated May 2009 as ‘Slips, Trips and Falls’ month in a campaign to reduce injuries and raise awareness of risks.

WorkCover CEO Jon Blackwell said slips, trips and falls refer to incidents such as a worker falling from a height, or falling over on the same level, as well as a worker stepping, kneeling or sitting on an object that may cause injury.

“There were 25,000 injuries as a result of slips, trips and falls in New South Wales in 2006–07, representing 18% of the total 140,000 workers compensation claims costing $203.5 million,” said Blackwell. “By focusing on slips, trips and falls during May, WorkCover expects to make employers and workers stop and think about the ways in which they can eliminate or significantly reduce such incidents.

“We will do this through a new, online WorkCover toolkit, which includes four Slips, Trips and Falls Guides and Fact Sheets and a series of safety posters. These are practical publications that guide workers and employers step by step through the process of identifying safety problems, assessing the causes, eliminating or controlling the hazards and then keeping track of how the controls are working.

“They include handy checklists to draw attention to flooring coverings, poor lighting, spillages, workplace clutter, unguarded door openings, uneven floor surfaces, ramps and the use of ladders.”

Employers who require more individual advice on slips, trips and falls hazards in their workplaces can request a free visit by a WorkCover Business Assistance Officer, or book into a Safety Essentials workshops.

The kit, which includes the posters, can be ordered from the WorkCover Publications hotline on 1300 799 003.