Slip, trip and fall accidents are the most common cause of major injury in the workplace. Those who work in kitchens are at particular risk of having an injury due to the kitchen environment being one of the most hazardous places in which a person can work.
The cost of slip, trip and fall accidents to UK businesses is huge, being estimated at £1bn per annum*, through costs such as compensation claims and lost work hours through absenteeism.
Employers have a duty of care and must provide a safe place for their staff to work in. They must take steps to prevent slip, trip and fall accidents as much as possible.
*Source: Health and Safety Executive
The Problem:
Work in kitchens usually happens at a fast pace. Orders need to be fulfilled on time, food needs to be served hot and so things can quickly become stressful. Accidents are more likely when people are rushing around.
Floors can easily become wet, oily, and greasy, spillages may occur frequently and debris may often be lying around.
On top of this there are likely to be hot liquids and oils, burning appliances as well as dangerously sharp utensils and machinery.
These factors alone, or a combination, result in an increased likelihood of slips, trips and falls in kitchens. These factors also mean, when an accident does happen in the kitchen, it is more likely to result in a serious injury when compared to other places of work as our video below demonstrates.
The solution:
The good news is that just by putting simple measures in place, you can reduce the risk of slip, trip and fall accidents in the kitchen considerably. Consider the putting the following things in place:
- A regular cleaning programme:
Poor housekeeping is the reason for the majority of trips. Having a regular cleaning routine will reduce the amount of food debris and misplaced utensils lying around on floors. Liquids, grease and oil will also be regularly removed. An effective and efficient cleaning routine will reduce many of the hazards associated with slips, trips and falls.
- Forward planning:
Understand when your busiest periods are and ensure you put the right number of staff in place to cope with these periods. By doing so, you will help alleviate the stress and much of the rushing around amongst your kitchen staff, which will, in turn, reduce the likelihood of accidents.
- Non-slip flooring and nonslip safety matting:
Traction is critical in kitchens where there is a very real problem of oil, grease and regular spillage. Most slips occur on wet floors, or floors contaminated with debris from food or oil. A good non slip floor is essential for reducing slips in kitchens.
Non slip matting can be placed in areas of high risk, such as where cooking, washing and preparations take place. Use a mat with flow through holes which will allow the debris or liquid to flow away from the standing surface. Kitchen mats should be made of nitrile rubber, which will not break down due to grease. Remember non slip flooring and non slip mats will only remain effective if they too are regularly cleaned.
- Use the right equipment and keep it well maintained
Use pans with lids and use containers with covers to stop splashes and spillages. Equipment needs to be maintained regularly to prevent it from becoming faulty and leading to leakages of oils and liquids which can cause to a slip hazard. Good extraction equipment will reduce the accumulation of liquid and grease before it is deposited elsewhere, such as on the floors.
What to do next?
We have a comprehensive guide on how to prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace which we will happily share with you, just ask. Mats are a simple and relatively inexpensive solution to the majority of slips, trips and falls. If you wish to know more about choosing the right mats to put into your establishment, then visit the non slip mats section on our Mats4U website. Alternatively, pick up the phone and call us on 0121 313 6748 or email us at sales@mats4u.co.uk
