Last year, almost 2,000 major injury slip and trip accidents in the education sector were reported, marking a 5% rise on the previous year.

Although schools and colleges are varied, complex sites populated with large numbers of adults and children, effective risk management would prevent many of these accidents. The good news is that reducing these alarming statistics in your school can be straightforward and inexpensive. Carrying out a regular risk assessment and adopting simple practical measures and a common sense approach can go a long way towards eradicating accidents caused by slips and trips in the school environment.

Review the risks The first step is to identify potential hazards around the site, both internally and externally, and assess who might be harmed and how. Consider the risk and decide if precautions already in place are sufficient to counter the risks, or if more should be done. Record the findings and make changes if necessary.

Schools can make use of the Slip Potential Model on the HSE’s website, which can be used to ensure that all "walking surfaces be safe and with an effective means of drainage where necessary", as required by health and safety legislation. Two versions of the model are provided - one for new design and another for review of existing floors.

Potential hazards come in a wide variety of guises. Schools should pay particular attention to the condition of their flooring and any changes in level as the result of steps and slopes. Poor lighting can also be a contributory factor to an accident. Contamination caused by water, food spillages and other obstacles left on the floor are common causes of slips. A sensible footwear policy should be encouraged for all employees and pupils to reduce the risk of accidents further, and pedestrian movement should be in a calm and controlled manner.

Safer surfaces

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of slipping is to introduce a slip resistant floor surface. In all locations where the occasional spill may present a risk, even in corridors, and anywhere where floors may be wet after cleaning, a floor covering with a minimum Slip Resistance Value (SRV) of 36 is now clearly recommended. It is also considered necessary to specify flooring that complies with or exceeds this requirement throughout its working life if safety levels are to be maintained. Beware of factory finished coatings which often wear off after a few months. A properly maintained Altro safety floor is one way to comply with this requirement.

Clean up your act

Appropriate cleaning regimes are vital to ensure the longevity of floor coverings, including their appearance and continued functionality. As build up of dirt can reduce slip resistance, it is vital that schools ensure the correct cleaning regime to reduce the risk of slips and other accidents.

Spillages must be mopped up quickly and people must be protected from risks posed by floors left wet from cleaning. On a smooth surface even the tiniest amount of moisture can pose a real hazard. Different surfaces require different cleaning methods to maintain a safe walking surface. Choose the correct detergent, dosage, type of cleaning equipment and timings. Use of good quality entrance matting can also help prevent the ingress of dirt, water and other potential hazards into a building into the first place.

In response to customer needs, Altro has developed safety flooring which incorporates Maxis™ Easyclean technology. Designed to be routinely wet mopped, with an occasional going over with a scrubbing machine, Maxis technology goes a long way to facilitate cleaning and maintenance, and has been shown to have a significant impact on life cycle costs.

A safer solution

Flooring manufacturers and suppliers have a vital role to play in reducing the number of slips and trips in schools and should be able to provide clear and honest information on their products and slip resistance. For example, you can take advantage of Altro’s own advisory booklet, Slips & Trips: the essential modern guide to prevention, which gives an easy to read overview of the topic along with information from HSE and some useful advice on how to keep your building safe.

To request a free copy of Altro’s guide to slips and trips and for further information on the company’s full portfolio of interior surfaces, call 0800 018 2960 or visit www.altro.com

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