273 avoidable slip and trip injuries in Scots Construction sites last year
06/02/06
Jeanette Reuben, Head of Operations (Constructions) Scotland advised principal contractors to consider how they manage their sites to ensure that they are kept in good order. "In Scotland 273 slip and trip injuries were reported in 2004/05(p); however, due to under-reporting, HSE suspects the actual figure may be much higher. "Walkways and storage areas should be designated and kept clear from obstructions. Pathways should be level and firm and arrangements should be made to remove waste from work areas. Employees have a role too, they should keep work areas as clear as possible of unnecessary materials and waste."
"If you see it - sort it" is the message from Stephen Williams, the Chief Inspector of Construction at the Health and Safety Executive, as construction inspectors begin a nationwide inspection programme targeting building sites with poor housekeeping.
Inspectors will visit approximately 1000 UK sites - of all sizes including sites in Scotland - as part of the 'Watch Your Step' good order initiative. The aim is to raise the industry's awareness of the potentially serious consequences of untidy sites and therefore to reduce the number of slips and trips in construction.
Every year the construction industry reports over 3,000 slip or trip incidents. In 2004/5(p) more than 1,000 of these resulted in a worker fracturing or dislocating a bone, two of these incidents resulted in fatalities. In Scotland a total of 273 accidents involving slips and trips in construction were reported.
Stephen Williams, stressed to the industry; "It is time to change. Most slip or trip incidents can be avoided if everyone on site does their bit to make the workplace safer - so if you see it - sort it."
A 'toolbox talk' pack featuring a 5 minute DVD "Watch your step, a toolbox talk for construction", a supporting good order on site booklet and a poster, is available free from HSE Books, tel 01787 881165 or to download from
Watch your step
Visit Watch Your Step
for full details of HSE's Watch Your Step in the Construction Industry initiative.
On 3 October 2005, HSE launched a national campaign raising awareness of the cost of slips and trips in the workplace. Further information on the campaign can be found at
Watch Your Step
Take 15 is an initiative that allows for and encourages workers to dedicate 15 minutes of their working day to focus on and address housekeeping issues. For further information on CTRL contact Lisa Doughty 0207 391 4360.
Regulation 26, of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (CHSW) 1996, states: "Every part of a construction site shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept in good order and every part of a construction site which is used as a place of work shall be kept in a reasonable state of cleanliness."
HSE's Better Business campaign is a national initiative that focuses on raising awareness about the financial and personal costs and causes of workplace incidents. It also shows the real bottom-line benefits of managing health and safety effectively. For further information and to read about the business benefits of better health, go to Better Business or contact HSE's Infoline on 0845 345 0055 Slips and trips in construction data provided by Bomel RIDDOR Datatool.
Information on HSE in Scotland can be found atHSE Scotland
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