The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone who would be affected by the company’s work, as far as is reasonably practicable.  Employees also have a duty to not endanger themselves or others and to utilise any safety equipment provided.   One of the most common forms of injury at work, comprising one third of all reported accidents, are caused by slips and trips.   The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999 requires employers to assess risks and to take action to address them, where necessary.    

Risk Assessment

It’s your responsibility to manage health and safety risks in your workplace.  You must consider whether you are doing enough to prevent injuries or accidents within your space.   This process is called risk assessment and you are required by law to carry it out.   Some risks are easily mitigated, such as putting door mats down to prevent rainwater being tracked into the building.  Others may not be so obvious. Make sure to consult with your employees as they will have insight into the risks in their work environment and may also have ideas on the best solutions for those risks.   If there are under 5 employees in your workplace you do not need to keep a written record of risk assessment, but we would recommend doing so anyway.    Be sure to revisit your risk assessment regularly as workplaces can change and there may be new hazards to address.  HSE have provided a hazard spotting checklist which is a useful place to start your risk assessment.

Workplace Surfacing

Many slips and trips can be avoided by correct surfacing of floors.    A range of inexpensive anti-slip products are available to create grippy surfaces in risk areas and mitigate the risks of slips and trips in the workplace.  CobaRib matting is an industrial floor matting that is loose lay and can be used inside or out.  It comes in a wide range of sizes, is water resistant, and also resistant to mild acids. Coba SitePath high visibility matting is an excellent product to have on hand.  It can be easily laid out, either loose or bonded, to mark out walkways.  The bright yellow colour clearly delineates the pathway and keeps employees in safe areas. It is particularly useful in construction site and factories. 

Anti Slip Stair Nosings

Stair nosings can be fixed to the front of each stair tread to create a grippy area on the edge of each step. CobaGrip stair nosings are made of high quality and durable materials.  They have a silicone carbide gritted surface to assist grip.   Easily fitted with adhesive or screws they are a cost-effective method of improving workplace safety.  They come in a range of colours including black and yellow hazard stripes.  Choosing a visible colour highlights the risk and reminds users to be careful on the stairs.     

Anti Slip Stair Treads

The CobaGrip range includes anti slip stair treads which reach to the back of the step to provide a gritted surface for the whole area.  They are available in black and white or black and yellow in a range of sizes.   They can be used indoors and outdoors and are designed for high traffic areas including car parks, factories, and public walkways. 

Anti Slip Tape

For an extremely fast solution to slipping hazards, Coba makes a high-quality, self-adhesive anti slip tape.  Coba Gripfoot Tape comes in a range of colours and can be used to mark walkways, provide grip in slippy areas, or to help keep machines in place.   It’s a versatile safety product to have on hand to mitigate risks as they arise.