Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
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is particularly vulnerable to these hazards. Items falling 
off high shelves and moving loads are also signifi cant 
hazards in many sectors of industry.
9.2.5
Striking against fi xed or stationary 
objects
This accounts for between 1200 and 1400 major acci-
dents each year. Injuries are caused to a person either 
by colliding with a fi xed part of the building structure, 
work in progress, a machine member or a station-
ary vehicle or by falling against such objects. The head 
appears to be the most vulnerable part of the body to 
this particular hazard and this is invariably caused by the 
misjudgement of the height of an obstacle. Concussion 
in a mild form is the most common outcome and a 
medical check-up is normally recommended. It is a very 
common injury during maintenance operations when 
there is, perhaps, less familiarity with particular space 
restrictions around a machine. Effective solutions to all 
these hazards need not be expensive, time consum-
ing or complicated. Employee awareness and common 
sense combined with a good housekeeping regime will 
solve many of the problems.
9.3 
Control strategies for pedestrian 
hazards
9.3.1 Slips, trips and falls on the same level
These may be prevented or, at least, reduced by several 
control strategies. These and all the other pedestrian 
hazards discussed should be included in the workplace 
risk assessments required under the Management of 
Health and Safety at Work Regulations by identifying slip 
or trip hazards, such as poor or uneven fl oor/pavement 
surfaces, badly lit stairways and puddles from leaking 
roofs. There is also a legal requirement in the Workplace 
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations for all fl oors to 
be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. 
Traffi c routes must be so organized that people can move 
around the workplace safely.
The key elements of a health and safety management 
system are as relevant to these as to any other hazards:
➤
planning
– remove or minimize the risks by using 
appropriate control measures and defi ned working 
practices (e.g. covering all trailing leads)
➤
organization
– involve employees and supervisors 
in the planning process by defi ning responsibility for 
keeping given areas tidy and free from trip hazards
➤
control
– record all cleaning and maintenance work. 
Ensure that anti-slip covers and cappings are placed 
on stairs, ladders, catwalks, kitchen fl oors and 
smooth walkways. Use warning signs when fl oor sur-
faces have recently been washed
➤