Page 1314 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 487

29 October 2015

Stair Injuries

Going up and down stairs is something we all do every day, right?

Surely that’s not dangerous?

Well, globally there are 12,000 stair related deaths every year and almost 50% of those occurred in the
home.

The National Safety Council reports that accidents on stairs, result in over 1 million injuries every year.

There are some simple guidelines that will protect you from becoming a victim, as follows:-

1) Apply the 3 point of contact rule, as you do on ladders; i.e. the handrail at all times, just in case
you lose your balance or slip.

2) Don’t ascend or descend the stairs whilst using a mobile phone.

3) Don’t carry heavy or large items that prevent you holding the handrail.

4) Report any spills, damage, defects or poor lighting immediately.

5) Ensure no trip hazards are present at the top, bottom or on the stairs.

Slips, trips and falls in the workplace account for over 35% of employee injuries. They made up more
than half of all reported major/specified injuries and 29% of over-seven-day injuries to employees
(RIDDOR). The HSE estimate the number of working days lost as 1.5 million from slips & trips and
986,000 from falls; because we use stairs so often we are often in complacent mode, or ‘asleep at the
wheel’, but a million injuries every year indicates that we should pay more attention.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works for
us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!