Slips, trips, and falls happen every day on stairways at any workplace. In fact, falls and trips on stairs account for over 60% of deaths and can result due to a number of factors. Stairs are a safety hazard, and as an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workplace stairs are safe.
This post explains the importance of enhancing stair safety in your workplace.
Why Stair Safety Matters?
Stairway and stairwell injuries can be fatal. They are extremely common for trips and falls because of the way they are constructed.
According to Safe Work Australia, between 2003 and 2015 in Australia:
- Trips and falls resulted in the death of 386 workers
- 23% of the incidents resulted in serious claims
- More than 56% of the incidents happened due to environmental factors
As you fall down a stairway, more than 100 pounds of weight falls with you. This is enough to cause you serious injuries. Many of these trips and falls are caused by numerous types of negligence, including:
- Wearing slippery footwear or untied shoes
- Defective railings or handrails
- Damaged or faulty steps
- Inferior or improper lighting
- Defects in the stairway, stairwell, or stairs
- Too narrow
- Obstructions
- Poor maintenance
- Inadequate landing area
From spills to cracks on the landing and even cables lying around, as an employer or a building manager, it is your responsibility to identify the potential stair safety hazards. You need to assess the risks and establish controls to reduce or prevent accidents.
To ensure that your stairs are structurally sound and well-maintained, you need to follow certain safety measures. Businesses can get a globally respected NEBOSH certificate when their health and safety practices meet rigorous international standards. This can help reduce liability risks and demonstrate a serious commitment to workplace safety.
Stair Nosing
In the majority of cases, people fall when they are getting down the stairs and not going up. The nose of the step plays a significant role in that. The nose of the step can be slippery and worn out. Putting your feet and weight on a worn-out stair nose can lead to slips and falls. If your building experiences a considerable amount of foot traffic, it would be wise to install stair nosing made of brass or aluminium. Stair nosing not only enhances the visibility of the stairs in dim light but also offers the much-needed traction that ensures you don’t slip while using stairs.
Stair nosing acts as an anti-slip surface and is placed on the edge of the step. Contact your building manager to get a consultation on which type of stair nosing should be used. It is a practical tool and saves lives.
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators
TGSIs or tactile ground indicators are products installed into the ground that consist of raised bars or studs. They are installed in the form of mats glued to the ground surface, single mushroom-shaped studs drilled into the surface, or as laid paving units. Essentially, they are installed to give directional information and warnings of hazards in an urban environment. But these indicators can be used on stairs as well. However, simply having TGSIs won’t be enough. It should be coupled with other safety features.
Safety Tips to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls on a Staircase
A staircase typically consists of a landing platform, handrail, and steps. Platform landings on the staircase need to be free of obstructions, such as the accumulation of trash, materials, and debris. You need to plan a safety guideline for using stairs, which should include the following precautions:
- Using handrails when descending or ascending the stairway
- Being cautious of environmental conditions like rain accumulation, ice, or snow
- Keeping the stairs clean and free of debris, trash, and anything that could make the steps slippery
- Never climb the stairs in a hurry and only take one step at a time
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that stairs are safe for everyone. And it is the employees’ responsibility to alert the management if any accident happens or they find any potential hazard that might cause an accident.
- You must inspect the stairs. Call in a floor safety auditor to determine if there are any irregularities, such as loose carpet or rugs, spills, grease, holes, corrosion, loose handrails, and missing steps
- Make sure that there is sufficient lighting in the staircase
- Pay special attention to opening doors on platforms of the staircase
In the majority of cases, staircase accidents happen when the employee is not paying attention. Truth to be told, employees are always on their toes, rushing and not watching their footing. So, instruct the employees to never carry heavy loads when using the stairs.
There are several factors that can compromise the safety of the stairs. It is vital that you look into all of it to ensure that you, your employees, and the general public remain safe. Always hire a professional if you are confused about how to establish and maintain security measures.
