Darker evenings and colder weather can increase the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
Slips and trips cause over a third of all major injuries and can also lead to other types of accidents, such as falls from height or into machinery.
At this time of year surfaces can be perilous, which means slip and trip accidents may become more frequent. There are plenty of seasonal factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents including:
- poor lighting
- excess water from rain
- wet and decaying leaves
Our guidance helps you to understand what causes slips and trips and how to prevent them.
Our slips and trips webpages also provide plenty of further information and resources, including advice on what to do next if there has been a slip or trip accident at work.
A £270,000 fine was issued to a waste management firm after a worker was injured while cleaning a waste picking line.
The worker became trapped in a section of machinery when cleaning and the waste picket line was accidentally switched on.
The worker suffered injuries including a fractured shoulder, torn ligaments, and a broken finger.
HSE's investigation found the company had failed to ensure an isolation procedure was correctly implemented while employees were cleaning machinery.
Read more in our press release: Waste and recycling company fined after worker injured cleaning machinery.
Our guidance highlights the importance of isolating machinery during cleaning.
Visit our news centre for more health and safety headlines including:
Whether you are involved in storing, selling or organising firework displays, we have the guidance you need for a safe event.
If you are planning a firework display, there is guidance available to help you use fireworks safely.
HSE’s website also includes tips on what to do before, during and after a firework event in our guidance on organising a firework display.
For those involved in commercial use, we offer further support for safe handling practices in our guidance on storing and selling fireworks.
You can also download a free copy of our leaflet storing and selling fireworks safely.
HSE and our publishing partner TSO have launched the Accident and Near-miss Tool.
The Accident and Near-miss Tool is designed to help organisations streamline incident reporting and aid compliance with RIDDOR requirements.
The tool automates the collection of accident and near-miss records, allowing teams to filter by location, type or theme.
It also guides dutyholders through HSE’s investigation framework providing expert advice on investigating incidents and preventing recurrence.
Find out more about the Accident and Near-miss Tool:
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