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Network Journal 2005 Issue 3 |
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Watch your step and help stamp out accidents
The Health and Safety Executive is planning a major campaign on slipping and tripping accidents which will run from October 3 to 28.
Called 'Watch Your Step' the aim is to raise awareness about the seriousness of these accidents and to work in partnership with employers and unions to reduce the risk.
Far from being a joking matter, slips and trips cause over 11,000 major injuries every year and can be fatal.
One catering worker recently fractured her skull in a slip on a wet area of floor. Another who slipped on some spilt oil burned his hand in a deep fat fryer.
Often these accidents can be prevented by simple improvements in house-keeping or changes in working practices. The campaign will focus on the sectors where the risk is highest - including retail and food manufacturing.
More details of the campaign will be available soon on the 'Campaigns' section of the HSE web site - www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/
How Usdaw safety reps can get involved
This year European Week for Safety and Health at Work runs from October 24 to 30. The TUC is calling for a National Inspection Day on October 26 as its contribution to European Week. They want safety reps everywhere to carry out inspections in the workplace on that day.
This is a great opportunity for Usdaw safety reps to support both European Week and the HSE slips campaign. Usdaw is asking all its safety reps to use the union's risk mapping tool to inspect for slipping and tripping hazards.
Copies of the risk mapping tool are available from the Usdaw web site - www.usdaw.org.uk/healthandsafety/
For more information on health and safety and the articles on these pages contact Doug Russell at central office on 0161 249 2441, e-mail: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk
or visit: www.usdaw.org.uk
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