Slips, Trips and Falls

Over one third of all major accidents reported each year are caused as a result of a SLIP, TRIP or FALL. The trip type accident

is the single most common cause of injuries at work and on board ship. In the United Kingdom, whether ashore or afloat, the cost to employers is over £300 million per year in lost production and other employment costs.

SLIPS and TRIPS are the most common cause of non-fatal major injuries in

all areas of manufacturing and service industries and account for over half of all reported injuries. They also account for some 26% of all "lost-time" accidents at sea. FALLS are the next most common cause accounting for

11 % of all "lost-time" accidents at sea.

Actions brought as a result of an

injury can be extremely damaging to

a company. Insurance costs cover only a small proportion of these costs.

Anyone at work, but particularly employers, can assist in reducing SLIP, TRIP and FALL HAZARDS through good health and safety arrangements.

Effective solutions are very often cheap and simple and can lead to other benefits, such as increased efficiency.

What the law says

Health and Safety Regulations require employers to ensure, in so far as possible, that the working environment on board ship is safe and without risk to health. The employer's risk assessment should include consideration of any hazards that could potentially cause Slips, Trips or Falls, and appropriate measures should then be taken to remove or minimise any risks identified. This leaflet gives some general guidance on the management of the risks of slips, trips and falls on board and suggests some simple steps that can be taken to reduce those risks.

Managing health and safety

Employer's Duties

A good management system will help:

• identify problem areas

• decide what to do

• act on decisions made, and

• check that the steps taken have

been effective.

A good system should involve:

PLANNING: Identify key areas of risk and set goals for improvement. Carefully select equipment and work practices which prevent or contain slip, trip and fall hazards. This assists in minimising or removing risks.

ORGANISATION: All workers

on board need to be involved

and committed to reducing risks. Give seafarers responsibilities

(e.g. the Officers and Crew Representatives) to ensure that workplace areas are kept safe.

Keep a record of who is responsible for which areas or arrangements that are put in place. Make these details clear to all on board.

CONTROL: Check to ensure that all on board working practices and procedures are being carried out correctly and efficiently. Maintain records of cleaning, maintenance work, etc and encourage good health and safety.

MONITOR AND REVIEW: Re-examine your approach in the light of experience. Look at accident investigation and inspection reports. Do they indicate

any areas for improvement?Talk to all Safety Representatives about slip, trip and fall risks.

1 Why was the hawse pipes cover plate not refitted after mai ntenance?

2 Why did the seafarer place used linen sacks at the bottom of th i s important escape route stairway?

6 Unguarded walkway and unidentified level change.

Fall from height and trip hazard.

Examining Slip, Trip and Fall risks

All employers of those on board have to assess the risks to

their employees and others who may be affected by their work. This helps to identify what needs to be done to satisfy the law.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency recommend a five stage approach to risk assessment. Slip, Trip and Fall Risks on board should be an integral part of the risks examined during inspections and assessments of the working areas on board.

Stage 1

Look for SLIp, TRIP and FALL HAZARDS around the working areas on board, such as; uneven decks, deck areas and walkways that consist of various low levels presenting small rises and falls; ladders and stairways which are painted

in the same colours as the top and bottom landing areas; trailing cables; deck areas that are sometimes slippery due to spillages, especially of liquids, grains and shingle on deck areas around holds whilst working cargo.

Stage 2

Decide who might be harmed and how. Who enters the work space or deck area? Are these workers or visitors at risk?

Stage 3

Consider the risks. Are the precautions already being taken enough to deal with the risks? Is there anything that can be done to give a pro-active approach to minimising future risks?

Common colours on stairways and a lack of edge protection. Dangerous fall hazards.

Good working practice

Get the conditions on board right from the start; it will make dealing with Slip, Trip and Fall Risks easier. Choose only suitable deck surfaces, ensure that the lighting levels are sufficient, properly plan walkways and associated access ladders and stairways, and avoid the use of a single colour.

Cleaning and Maintenance Train Seafarers and other workers on board in the correct use of any safety and cleaning equipment provided. Cleaning methods and equipment must be appropriate for the type of surfaces being treated.

Lighting

Lighting should be appropriately placed to ensure that the seafarer can see obstructions, potentially slippery deck areas, etc., so that they can work safely. Clean and repair light fittings and replace light bulbs and tubes before the levels of light become too low for safe work.

Stairways

Stairways should be identified at the top landing edge and the bottom landing point or bottom step edge if the top and bottom landing are in the same colour (paint or carpet). Ideally ALL stairway steps should be nosed and these nosings should have incorporated within their design high visibility inserts.

Never place loose mats or pieces of carpet at the top landings of stairways. These present slip hazards at high level. They should be secured appropriately

in fiddles or have a good quality non-slip backing that is compatible with the surface on which they are to be laid. Never place obstructions on or at the bottom of stairways.

Deck and Engine Room Plate Areas

Deck and Engine Room plate areas that are set with two or three different levels should have their edges identified if painted in the same colour or fabricated in the same material, e.g. aluminium. Common colours need to be broken up. Using high visibility painted edges or edge nosings with high visibility inserts will greatly assist in preventing trips

and falls. Additionally, keep all these areas well lighted and free from low

level obstructions. Fixed obstructions, e.g. pipes and cable runs, across deck and plate areas should be identified

in a different colour to that of the surrounding area. Identify and designate safe walkways for visitors to follow and make sure that these are well lighted and clear at all times.

Fixed Vertical ladders

Fixed Vertical Ladder upper end access points should be identified with a high visibility line painted on the deck, if the upper and lower deck or plate areas are of the same colour. If the upper deck area presents a raised lip then this must also be identified to prevent a trip hazard at high level. If safety chains are, or a safety bar is, fitted at the upper access point of the ladder, use them. Always make sure that they are put back in place immediately after passing through the gap and kept in place at all times to close off the upper deck area. Never place obstructions at the bottom of ladders or hang objects on the rungs as these cannot be seen when descending the ladder.

Obstructions and loose Gear Obstructions and loose gear left lying around can easily go unnoticed and cause trips and falls. Keep all deck areas, engine room plate areas and working alleyways free from loose objects. Stores must be stowed in the appropriate area of the vessel and cleaning gear returned to the appropriate store-cupboard. Loose gear MUST NOT be placed in alleyways or on stairways. Emergency Escape Areas and Routes MUST be kept clear at ALL times.

Footwear

Footwear can play an important part in preventing slips, trips and falls. Employers need to provide appropriate footwear to protect the safety of the seafarer. A typical shoe or boot should be of a steel toe-cap design with a good, deep and non-slip tread on the sole and heel.

9 Why was the tank valve gland left seeping, creating a slip hazard across the deck?

10 Common colours and varying light conditions and shadows make this trip hazard appear invisible - these hazards must be identified!

11 Why did the seafarer leave the ladder access unguarded?

Dangerous fall hazard onto vehicle decks. Also pipe trip hazard not clearly identified.

Further Reading

• The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen

• Statutory Instrument 7997 No. 2962 - The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 7997

• Statutory Instrument 2007 No. 54 - The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

Further Information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Spring Place

105 Commercial Road SOUTHAMPTON SOlS lEG

Tel: 023 8032 9100 Fax: 023 8032 9298

E-mail: inf6Iine@mcga.gov.uk

Other enquiries relating to seafarer health and safety should-be directed to:

Seafarer Health and Safety Branch Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Tel: 023 8032 92.27

Fax: 02380329251

E-mail: seafarer.h&s@mcga.gov.uk

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Maritime and Ooastquard Agency

The leaflet contains notes on good practice wliich are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.

Prepared and published by the

Seafarer Health & Safety Branch of the

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Published March 2006 MCN151