Worksite safety: preventing slips and trips

Slips and trips are among the most common causes of workplace injury within the construction industry affecting around 1000 workers in the UK each year. In most cases these accidents are easily preventable. Which is why the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) are calling for a "see it - sort it" approach to tackling worksite hazards, in a bid to reduce the number of easily preventable trips resulting in operative injuries.

Health & Safety best practice has always been, and will always be, a key factor in keeping our operatives safe while they perform their job. We're incredibly proud of the many initiatives we've put in place to govern worksite Health & Safety at Mackoy, not least of all our Good Practice Guide. The advice contained in these internally produced handbooks is targeted at everyone whose role takes them into contact with our worksites, and a copy is located within all Mackoy site compounds on each of our clients' builds.

It's measures such as this, as well as the weekly site inspections we undertake and training we provide to our operatives, that helps us hinder preventable workplace accidents at Mackoy. That said it never hurts to be reminded of good advice. So here’s a little recap about how to minimise the risk of accidental trips and falls on site day-to-day.

Keep site compounds & work areas tidy

Worksite untidiness is unsurprisingly one of the biggest causes of slips and trips in the construction sector. With everything from tools to building materials and excavated waste product presenting a potential hazard if left lying around in the open.

That's why it's so important for every operative working on site to keep their work area clean and tidy and, at times when using tools with leads, to be mindful of trailing cables which also present a trip hazard. Similarly it can help to space out deliveries on site, and ensure that all materials get safely stacked away within our secure Mackoy compound until needed.

Cleanliness is a collective responsibility and if we all take the time to keep our storage and work areas tidy, including disposing of all waste responsibly; we can safely ensure everyone's wellbeing on site.

Create designated pedestrian walkways & ensure these stay clear

One of the first things our operatives do when they enter any new working environment is to establish clear and safe pedestrian access on site. This doesn't only benefit our own operatives working in our groundworks gangs, but also other contractors working on site, as well as visitors too.

Walkways help to prevent trips and slips caused by uneven surfaces, where a sudden change in level can lead to a pedestrian losing their footing and subsequently falling over. All walkways should be clearly marked with pedestrian access signs and take in routes that offer good ground conditions.

It's our policy to always use orange mesh or Mackoy red Heras fencing to designate these routes on site as outlined in our Good Practice Guide. Ensuring that everyone is aware where it's safe to walk and drive at all times. Helping to prevent not only slips and trips but also more serious accidents from occurring.

Wear site approved non-slip & steel-capped boots

Protective gear, including hardhat and high-visibility clothing, are mandatory for our operatives working on our clients' development sites and we provide Mackoy branded versions of these to every groundworker in our gangs. When it comes to slip and trip safety however, a good grip non-slip boot will give you the best shot at staying steady on your feet.

Groundworks requires outdoors working in all kinds of weather conditions, from extreme sunny spells, to wind, cold and rain. It's during wet or frosty conditions that most worksite slips occur. So as well as wearing boots with a good tread you should also take extra precautions on site at times when there's excess surface water and ground frost around.

If possible try and grit icy surfaces or use stone to give a better grip on mud, as well as sign-posting areas that are known to pose a slip risk. Taking these proactive measures, to avoid contact with slippery surfaces, as well as highlighting the potential hazard to others on site, all positively contribute towards minimising slips and trips.

As well as our Good Practice Guide we also invest in Face Mask Fit Testing for our operatives to inhibit dust inhalation on site. As well as providing recurring training on the safe handling of all our plant, tools and machinery. These measures are just a few we electively undertake at Mackoy to keep our workers safe on the job, and on top of the processes we already have in place we regularly review our ways of working. Always implementing change if ever we identify a better way of doing things.

If you're a skilled groundworker and you want to see the available groundworks jobs we have on our Mackoy gangs take a look at our Careers page for our latest opportunities.

Categories: Health and Safety