SLIPS AND TRIPS

• 06.01 - General information
  
• 06.02 - Safety practices
  
  

Discription of chapter

The specific chapter includes a general presentation of safety principles regarding slipping, while at the same time a prevention system applicable by the safety engineer is developed, as well as safety practices in order to avoid such minor accidents
The objective of this chapter is to familiarize all personnel involved in occupational health and safety at metal processing installations, with the safety rules and practices that should be implemented in order to avoid slips and trips at workplace.

General information

• The most important feature regarding slips and trips at metal processing workshops is often unsuitable building indoor space arrangement and cleanliness of a particular workplace
  
• Swarf, waste, metalworking fluids, oil, etc, usually constitute a potential hazard for workers due to slippery floors. Thorough cleaning, and immediate removal of all hazardous substances (oil, water, etc) spilled on the floor is strictly required
  
• Electric tool cables or electric welding unit cables are also possible causes of falls or stumbles
  

Slips and trips are the most common causes of accidents. They are related to approximately 1/3 of occupational accidents. Moreover, they represent the major accident cause among visitors of an industrial site (clients, associates etc).

Safty practices

• All metal workers should be sufficiently informed and trained concerning the use of personal protective equipment and cleaning equipment
  
• Suitable footwear should always be used
  
• Cleaning and maintenance of workplace and equipment should take place frequently, as well as immediately after a leak or a spill occurs. In case the leak consists of a greasy substance, a suitable detergent must be used. After cleaning, the floor remains wet for some time, so a means of notifying personnel in the area is necessary
  
• Sufficient lighting is considered crucial for the early detection of any obstacle or slippery surface at workplace. Particular attention should be paid regarding staircases, ramps (preferably equipped with banisters), or areas where manual handling takes place. Lamps should be cleaned frequently and replaced regularly
  
• Check floor surface for broken tiles or sections, or any other damage
  
• Keep passageways free of obstacles and floors free of hand tools or other objects
  
• Maintain order and tidiness inside workshop. If existing obstacles cannot be removed, warning labels and protective bars or banisters should be installed
  
• Areas in the vicinity of machines should be adequately marked, so that no ob#tople is accidentally placed close to them
  
• Locate equipment so that electric cable runs are away of corridors or passageways. Wherever applicable, cables should be properly mounted on a surface and adequately sheltered
  
• Restrict access to people wherever the above is not possible
  
• Adopt suitable treatment of smoke, dust etc, which obstruct visibility
  
• Make sure that not all objects or tools having sharp edges are exposed (metallic bars, open shelves etc). Objects below the knee height are usually difficult to spot