SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES

Transcription

1 SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES To be read in conjunction with the Health & Safety Policy, Uniform Policy & Patient Falls Policy Document Type H&S Policy Unique Identifier HS-016 Document Purpose Health and safety of employees Document Author Health & Safety Managers reporting to the Company Secretary Target Audience All staff Responsible Group H&S Committee Date Ratified November 2011 Expiry Date November 2014 The validity of this policy is only assured when viewed via the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website (hacw.nhs.uk.). If this document is printed into hard copy or saved to another location, its validity must be checked against the unique identifier number on the internet version. The internet version is the definitive version. If you would like this document in other languages or formats (i.e. large print), please contact the Communications Team on or Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 1 of 13

2 Version History Version Circulation Job Title of Person/Name of Group Brief Summary of Change Date Circulated to 1 09/11 H&S Committee members and Union Merge of PCT and MHPT policy H&S Reps 2 10/11 JNCC N/A 3 11/11 Quality & Safety Committee Ratified for use Accessibility Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has a contract with Applied Language Solutions to handle all interpreting and translation needs. This service is available to all staff in the trust via a free-phone number ( ). Interpreters and translators are available for over 150 languages. From this number staff can arrange: Face to face interpreting Instant telephone interpreting Document translation British Sign Language interpreting Training and Development Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust recognise the importance of ensuring that its workforce has every opportunity to access relevant training. The Trust is committed to the provision of training and development opportunities that are in support of service needs and meet responsibilities for the provision of mandatory and statutory training. All staff employed by the Trust are required to attend the mandatory and statutory training that is relevant to their role and to ensure they meet their own continuous professional development. Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 2 of 13

3 for Employees Contents Paragraph Page 1 Introduction 4 2 Definitions 4 3 Purpose / Statement 4 4 Risk Assessment 4 5 Housekeeping 4 6 Responsibilities 5 7 Training 7 8 Consultation and Communication with Stakeholders 7 9 Development and Approval of Procedural Documents 7 10 Dissemination 7 11 Planning and Implementation 7 12 Monitoring and Review 7 13 Standards / Key Performance Indicators 8 14 References 8 Appendices 1 Slip, Trip, & Fall Assessment 9 2 Equality Impact Assessment 11 Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 3 of 13

4 1 INTRODUCTION The Trust has statutory obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure a safe working environment. The Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, require any floor surface to be suitable for its purpose and kept free from hazard or obstruction which may cause a person to trip or fall. This policy outlines the Trust s requirement to assess the risks associated with slips, trips and falls on its premises and to make provision for suitable controls designed to remove or reduce the risk of harm occurring. The Policy will be communicated to all staff during their induction and a copy will be available at all other times in their respective work areas. 2. DEFINITIONS Slip: To slide accidentally causing the person to lose their balance. This is either corrected or causes a person to fall. Trip: To stumble accidentally over an obstacle, causing the person to lose their balance. This is either corrected or causes a person to fall. Fall: An event which results in the person coming to rest on the ground or another surface lower than the person, whether or not an injury is sustained. 3. PURPOSE / STATEMENT This policy applies to all employees (permanent, temporary, agency or locum) and others who enter the Trust, in clinical and non-clinical environments. It applies to hospital sites and premises under the control of the Trust. Falls occurring to Patients are covered by the Patient Falls Policy. The Trust is committed to preventing or minimising the risk of slips, trips and falls to staff, service users and other stakeholders who visit or use Trust premises. It aims to do this by: a) Providing a safe working environment which, as far as is reasonably practicable, is free from hazards that contribute to falls. b) Ensuring any slip and trip hazards in the workplace are identified, reported and rectified. c) Ensuring, where deficiencies are identified, appropriate risk assessments and risk reduction action plans are in place to reduce falls and ensure the best practice principles are applied. 4. RISK ASSESSMENT In line with the Management of Health and Safety Regulations and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, the Trust is required to assess the workplace for slip, trip and fall hazards and outline the control measures in place to ensure the risks of injury are removed or kept as low as possible. A slips, trips and falls assessment form is detailed in Appendix 1. 5 HOUSEKEEPING The Health and Safety Executive advise that the main causes of slip and trip accidents in healthcare are: Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 4 of 13

5 Slippery/wet surfaces caused by water, fluid substances, or dusty contamination e.g. talcum powder. Obstructions, both temporary and permanent. Uneven surfaces and changes of level, such as unmarked ramps. Bad housekeeping is therefore a significant causal factor in the number of slip, trip and fall incidents. The Trust must be committed to maintaining tidiness within its premises by: Ensuring there are suitable and clear walkways through the workplace. Keeping walkways clutter free, ensuring there are no trailing wires or obstructions. Reviewing the way that staff work and the areas in which they operate are the floors tidy, is there enough storage space? Educating employees about the need to reduce tripping hazards by maintaining good housekeeping levels in their own area. 6. RESPONSIBILITIES 6.1 Chief Executive The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for this policy, to ensure a safe working environment where reasonably practicable control measures can be applied to minimise the risks from slips, trips and falls. 6.2 Service Delivery Unit Leads Senior Managers have a responsibility for the safety of their staff. They are expected to promote a high degree of health and safety awareness amongst all staff and ensure this Policy is implemented effectively within their areas. 6.3 Head of Estates and Facilities The Head of Estates and Facilities is responsible for ensuring that all premises and external surfaces / areas owned or leased by the Trust are as safe as is reasonably practicable. They should not present a hazard to staff, contractors, outside agencies or visitors using Trust premises. This includes the provision of safe corridors and walkways for internal circulation and safe arrangements for working at height. 6.4 Health & Safety Managers To review reported adverse incidents relating to slips, trips and falls, undertaking follow-up investigations and outlining further control measures. To centrally collate all reportable incidents in line with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangers Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) regarding slips, trips and falls to staff, visitors and others. To produce quarterly reports for the Health and Safety Committee based on data from the Trust s incident reporting database: Sentinel. Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 5 of 13

6 To deliver training on the management and risk assessment process of slips, trips and falls to staff within the Risk Assessment training. 6.5 Estates Officers Undertake periodic condition surveys, and respond promptly to maintenance call logs in relation to Trust circulation routes, on site road ways and footpaths. Develop procedures and work practices based on their risk assessments that prevent, reduce or manage the risks of slips, trips and falls, (including the prevention of falls from height). 6.6 Department and Premises Managers Managing the day to day activities within their areas of responsibility so as to minimise the risks of slips, trips and falls. Ensure that suitable risk assessments are conducted in their area of responsibility to maintain a safe working environment. Where necessary, ensure that further action is taken to improve the workplace and implement additional control measures to protect staff and others. Ensure the findings from any assessment are communicated to their teams. Significant risks can also be cascaded up to committee level using the department risk registers. Ensure all RIDDOR incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive and the Health & Safety / LSMS Manager. Ensure incidents are appropriately recorded in accordance with Trust Policy. Ensure that local investigations are undertaken following slips, trips and falls with a view to rectifying the causes and cascading information to keep staff informed. 6.7 Accredited Health & Safety Reps Co-ordinate activities within their departments in accordance with best practice. Represent staff side at Health & Safety Committees and provide updates on slips, trips and falls related issues where appropriate. To ensure that where risks in relation to slips, trips and falls are identified, the root causes are considered for inclusion within department risk registers and monitored accordingly. Reviewing local adverse incidents and advising on additional control measures to reduce the risk. 6.8 Employee Responsibilities Carry out their duties in such a manner as to prevent or minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls. Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 6 of 13

7 Maintain a clear and tidy work area to reduce the likelihood of slip, trip or fall hazards occurring. Ensure that incidents are reported to their line manager in line with Trust Policy. Wear appropriate footwear in line with the Uniform Policy. 7. TRAINING Instruction regarding risk assessment is covered in the Risk Assessment training and as part of staff induction. Health and Safety topics are covered in both of these sessions. Staff look at slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace and discuss issues around good housekeeping. 8. CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS The Trust s Health and Safety Committee provides a forum at which management can consult with staff about any health and safety issues, in good time, before the introduction of change, new equipment or new technology. It allows accredited H&S reps and nominated department reps to communicate with managers, in order to raise health and safety concerns that cannot be resolved at local level. The Health and Safety Committee is directly accountable to the Quality and Safety Committee. 9. DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS This policy is drafted and developed by the H&S Managers in accordance with HSE best practice. Key stakeholders and specialist staff are involved in the consultation process e.g.: clinical governance staff, accredited H&S Reps and H&S Committee members. The H&S Committee is responsible for approving the policy. Final ratification rests with the Quality and Safety Committee. An equality impact assessment has been undertaken on the legal content and best practice guidance contained in the policy to ensure it is valid and applicable to all. 10. DISSEMINATION Policy documents are available via the Trust s website. The principles embedded within the policy will be included in Induction Training for staff and in the Health and Safety e-learning package. 11. PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION The Chief Executive will agree annual objectives related to health and safety management with all Executive Directors who will ensure appropriate cascading of relevant objectives throughout the area of their responsibility. Executive Directors will ensure that health and safety planning forms an integral part of their business planning process, in order to ensure that needs are identified, prioritised, and that appropriate resources are allocated. 12. MONITORING AND REVIEW Incidents are reported quarterly to the Health and Safety Committee. The investigation of these incidents will be used to identify causation, identify workplace improvements and assess the effectiveness of policy controls. The effectiveness of the policy will also be Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 7 of 13

8 monitored via the analysis of slip, trip and fall incidents, RIDDOR reported incidents, complaints and corporate claims. Policies will be subject to review in line with health and safety legislation or if there are changes to technology, processes or practice. The review of policies will also be based on the prioritisation of risk within the Trust and as a consequence of any serious incidents. 13. STANDARDS / KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Care Quality Commission requires the Trust to achieve a required level of compliance for health and safety control. This is Outcome 10: Safety and Suitability of Premises. 14. REFERENCES Trust H&S policy documents Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations Healthcare Commission Standards for Better Health Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 8 of 13

9 Slips, Trips and Falls Risk Assessment Appendix 1 Department, Location Date Review Date Assessor s Name Assessor s Job Title Assessor s Signature Hazards that may cause harm Slippery surface / wet Change in level Slope Storage Trailing wires Floor surface condition Footwear Who may be affected? What are the existing controls? Risk Evaluation Consequence Likelihood Priority L M H E What further controls are needed? Re-evaluation Consequence Likelihood Priority L M H E Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 9 of 13

10 ACTION PLAN To be completed by the Senior Manager / Director Based on the recommended further controls and the re-evaluation of risk Manager / Director s Name Manager / Director s Job Title Further Action Required Person responsible Completion Date Has the recommended action been agreed? Yes No Name Signature Date Does any outstanding risk need to be added to the Trust s Risk Register? Yes No Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 10 of 13

11 Appendix 2 Slips, Trips & Falls Policy Department Corporate Created Person Responsible Robert Hipwell Last Review Wednesday 14th December, 2011 Wednesday 14th December, 2011 Status Complete Next Review n/a Screening Data 1. What is the policy? (Name/description of the policy) Slips, Trips & Falls Policy 2. What is the aim, objective or purpose of the policy? This document is intended to reflect the views of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (The Trust) and sets out the requirements and arrangements needed in order to meet any statutory requirements. The policy is drafted and developed by the H&S Managers and is available via the Trustâ s website. Key stakeholders and specialist staff are involved in the consultation process to ensure best practice e.g. infection control, H&S Representatives and estates staff. The policy applies to all individuals on NHS premises, reflects the Trustâ s equality and diversity arrangements. The principles embedded within it will be included in Induction Training for staff and in mandatory training updates. 3. Who implements the policy? All staff within the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust 4. Who is intended to benefit from this policy and in what way? All individuals on NHS property 5. Is the policy applied uniformly throughout the Trust or only applicable to certain Business Units? Yes 6. Who are the stakeholders in relation to this policy (for example, certain groups of staff/students, visitors etc)? All individuals on NHS property 7. What data are available to facilitate the screening of this policy? Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 11 of 13

12 N/A 8 Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation, uptake or exclusion, by any groups or individuals? 9. In the context of the preceding sections are there any relevant groups which you believe should be consulted? Please specify and give reasons: None 10 What data are required in the future to ensure effective monitoring? Potentially ethnicity/gender of people involved in incidents 11. Considering all information above please indicate areas where a differential impact occurs or has the potential to occur. 12. Any other comments on the policy None 13. Potential for differential impact? None Impact Assessment Data 1. Does the policy impact less favourably on a certain group or groups in comparison with others? 2. Is there any indication of a higher or lower participation/uptake rate by particular equality groups? 3. Do some groups have lower than average success rates in particular processes and/or access to services? 4. Do criteria or requirements in relation to the policy disadvantage certain groups, either explicitly or inadvertently? 5. Is access to services and benefits reduced or denied for some groups in comparison with other groups? 6. Do particular groups face increased difficulty or indignity as a result of the policy? 7. Are there higher complaints rates or lower satisfaction rates for particular equality groups in connection with the policy, in comparison with other groups? 8. Is there evidence that the policy fails to respond to the needs of a particular group, in comparison with other groups? 9. If you have identified adverse impact, could this amount to unlawful discrimination? 10. If the policy intends to result in different outcomes for different groups by using positive action to redress disadvantages, is this lawful? Organisation Sign-off Data Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 12 of 13

13 1. Are you satisfied with the monitoring arrangements for this policy Yes 2. Have you read the policy and do you agree to accept and sign off? Yes Outstanding Actions No outstanding actions Slips, Trips and Falls Policy for Employees Page 13 of 13