1. Slips, Trips & Falls Tony Saunders Merseyside Trade Union Education Unit

2. Health and Safety Representatives Overview of Health & Safety Rep. Training The Law and Safety Reps Basic Facts about Slips Trips and Falls Legal and Other Standards for Prevention and Control What Can Safety Representatives Do?

3. Overview of Health & Safety Rep. Training Unions appoint or elect Health and Safety Reps. Induction training by own unions 10 day Stage 1 Course 10 day Stage 2 Course Advanced Training Diplomas and Certificates

4. The Law and Safety Reps The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977  Appointment of Safety Reps Who appoints Safety Reps Who can be a Safety Rep How Many Safety Reps  The Functions of Safety Reps Investigating and making representation to employer Inspections Involving and informing members and getting their support Consultation with and information from employer Information from and liaison with enforcement officers

5. Basic Facts about Slips Trips and Falls Reference to TUC survey of Safety Reps  Slips and trips are a major problem to 84% of workplaces surveyed  In one year 15,000 slipping and tripping accidents – over 400 resulted in broken bones  44% of accidents reported by Safety Reps were in health sector.  Members of the public are just as likely as employees to have an accident  Substances on floors(43%) and Obstructions (31%) are the main causes of slips and trips  Most slips and trips occur on stairs and steps (29%)followed by shop floor (28%) and outside (27%)

6. Legal and Other Standards for Prevention and Control SRSC Regulations 1977  Safety reps’ rights and consultation Health and Safety at Work Act 1974  General duties of employers and employees Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations  Obligations of employers to make suitable and sufficient assessment of risks Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995  Requirements for employers to notify the enforcing authority as and when required

7. What Can Safety Representatives Do? Membership Awareness  Posters and leaflets  Reporting concerns Surveys and Inspections  Undertake specific survey  Use regular inspections to speak to members and examine statistics Risk Assessment  Ask for copies of risk assessments  Ask for risk assessments to be carried out Slips, trips and falls policy and procedure  Urge employers to have procedures in place to prevent slips, trips and falls at work.

8. Direct and Indirect Causes Direct Courses  Unsafe Workplaces  Unsafe Workers  Unsafe Acts Indirect Causes  Lack of Training  Lack of Supervision  Lack of Investment  Lack of Commitment