Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls

IN YOUR WORKPLACE

As with every risk or hazard in the workplace, the prevention of injury or damage as a result of slips, trips or falls begins with a risk assessment to identify the potential issues, followed by implementing the appropriate controls.

Slips, trips and falls: What are they?

 Slips can occur when your foot loses traction with the ground surface, often due to slippery surfaces.  Trips can occur when you catch your foot on an object or surface. In most cases, people trip on low items that are hard to spot, such as uneven edges in flooring, loose mats, open drawers, an untidy environment, electrical cables or an untidy work area.  Falls can result from a slip or trip, but many occur during falls from low heights such as steps, stairs and footpath kerbs. It is not uncommon for several risk factors to exist at the same time, e.g. floor surface and condition, objects on the floor, open drawers or loose cables. In Western Australia, over the past five years 23.5% of all Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) have been a result of slips, trips and falls. A significant number of these incidents could have been prevented, had the cause been identified through a workplace inspection or risk assessment of the environment (Take 5) and appropriate controls implemented, such as good housekeeping. Once controls have been put in place to reduce the risk of injury or damage from slips, trips and falls, it is important that they are reviewed to ensure they are effective and have not created additional safety hazards in the workplace. Our responsibility to both ourselves and those around us is to ensure our work environment is free from hazards and risks, which may result in slips, trips and fall injuries. If you see a hazard or risk, please remedy it.

Patricia Wilson

OSH Consultant ECA WA www.neca.asn.au/wa

ElectricalSwitchboard testingElectricalSwitchboard testing

Power Quality Power Quality Analysers Analysers

ExcellenceinCalibration Excellence in Calibration ExcellenceinCalibration

MetrelMI3325MultiServicerXD

MetrelMI3325MultiServicerXD Switchboard and Machine Safety Tester Switchboard and Machine Safety Tester Test switchboards to IEC/EN/AS 61439 Test switchboards to IEC/EN/AS 61439

Testing of Voltage, current, line and loop Testing of Voltage, current, line and loop Testing of Voltage, current, line and loop impedance, RCD’s, insulation, leakage impedance, RCD’s, insulation, leakage current, HiPot to 5000VAC, Discharge and current, HiPot to 5000VAC, Discharge and current, HiPot to 5000VAC, Discharge and Continuity Testing (to 25A). Continuity Testing (to 25A). Colour touch screen, advanced memory Colour touch screen, advanced memory Colour touch screen, advanced memory organiser and custom AUTOSEQUENCE®s organiser and custom AUTOSEQUENCE®s organiser and custom AUTOSEQUENCE®s to automate the testing process. to automate the testing process. Used in production and periodic testing & Used in production and periodic testing & Used in production and periodic testing & retesting. retesting. Subject totechnicalchangewithout notice Subject to technical change without notice

Zedflo stocks an extensive range of Test and Measurement instruments, including: Zedflo stocks an extensive range of Test and Measurement instruments, including:

Subject totechnicalchangewithout notice

Earth Testers Earth Testers Installation Installation Testers Testers Insulation Testers Insulation Testers 5kV & 10kV 5kV & 10kV Appliance Testers & many more Appliance Testers & many more

U3/115 ExcellenceDrive,Wangara,6065,WA U3/115 Excellence Drive, Wangara, 6065, WA 08 9302 1266 www.zedflo.com.au sales@zedflo.com.au 08 9302 1266 www.zedflo.com.au sales@zedflo.com.au