Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

9.2 
Hazards to pedestrians
The most common hazards to pedestrians at work are 
slips, trips and falls on the same level, falls from height, 
collisions with moving vehicles, being struck by moving, 
falling or fl ying objects and striking against fi xed or sta-
tionary objects. Each of these will be considered in turn, 
including the conditions and environment in which the 
particular hazard may arise.
9.2.1 Slips, trips and falls on the same level
These are the most common of the hazards facing pedes-
trians and accounted for 30% each year of all the major 
accidents and 20% of over three-day injuries reported to 
the HSE. It has been estimated that the annual cost of 
these accidents to the nation is £750 m and a direct cost 
to employers of £300 m. The highest reported injuries are 
reported in the food and related industries. Older workers, 
especially women, are the most severely injured group from 
falls resulting in fractures of the hips and/or femur. Civil 
compensation claims are becoming more common and 
costly to employers and such claims are now being made 
Figure 9.1
Tripping 
hazards.
130
9
Movement of people 
and vehicles – hazards 
and control

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Movement of people and vehicles – hazards and control
131
by members of the public who have tripped on uneven 
paving slabs on pavements or in shopping centres.
The Health and Safety Commission has been so 
concerned at the large number of such accidents that it 
has identifi ed slips, trips and falls on the same level as 
a key risk area. The costs of slips, trips and falls on the 
same level are high to the injured employee (lost income 
and pain), the employer (direct and indirect costs includ-
ing lost production) and to society as a whole in terms of 
health and social security costs.
Slip hazards are caused by:
➤
wet or dusty fl oors
➤
the spillage of wet or dry substances – oil, water, fl our 
dust and plastic pellets used in plastic manufacture
➤
loose mats on slippery fl oors
➤
wet and/or icy weather conditions
➤
unsuitable footwear or fl oor coverings or sloping 
fl oors.
Trip hazards are caused by:
➤
loose 
fl oorboards or carpets
➤
obstructions, low walls, low fi xtures on the fl oor
➤
cables or trailing leads across walkways or uneven 
surfaces. Leads to portable electrical hand tools and 
other electrical appliances (vacuum cleaners and 
overhead projectors). Raised telephone and elec-
trical sockets are also a serious trip hazard (this can 
be a signifi cant problem when the display screen 
workstations are re-orientated in an offi ce)
➤
rugs and mats – particularly when worn or placed on 
a polished surface
➤
poor housekeeping – obstacles left on walkways, 
rubbish not removed regularly
➤
poor lighting levels – particularly near steps or other 
changes in level
➤
sloping or uneven fl oors – particularly where there is 
poor lighting or no handrails
➤
unsuitable footwear – shoes with a slippery sole or 
lack of ankle support.
The vast majority of major accidents involving slips, trips 
and falls on the same level result in dislocated or frac-
tured bones.