Slips, Trips and Falls (Prevention of)

NHS Lothian attaches the greatest importance to the Health, Safety and Welfare of its employees and others who may be affected by its activities. In particular recognises the significance of the risks of injury associated with slips, trips and falls.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, include duties for people in control of workplaces to assess the risks (including slips, trips and falls) associated with workplace environments. They require appropriate arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of any measures to safeguard health and safety.  The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also require that floors and surfaces are, so far as is reasonably practicable, suitable for purpose and do not expose persons to risk.

This policy sets out how NHS Lothian will ensure that such risks are eliminated or at least minimised to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

To adequately manage the risks that arise from potential slips, trips and falls NHS Lothian through its management teams will need to assess the tasks and the workplace for slip and trip hazards and outline the control measures in place to ensure the risks of injury are removed or kept as low as possible.

This Policy outlines the principles to be adopted and implemented in order to achieve as a minimum statutory compliance with health and safety legislation. This statutory requirement is in addition to other NHS Lothian policies and procedures.