It is perhaps the most "mundane" of all workplace accidents, but incidents involving slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are a serious hazard and each year result in a number of serious injuries in Scotland.
Preventing slip injuries in the workplace
There can be no excuse. Employers are legally obliged to have risk assessments in place to assess the cause of potential slip accidents in the workplace, as well as to address hazardous floor surfaces so that they can be treated accordingly. The following legislative and regulatory instruments outline many issues related to good health and safety practice in this area:
- Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3)
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Regulation 12)
Safety first on uneven floors
The same goes for uneven floor surfaces; employers must take steps to reduce the risk of injury to employees by levelling floor surfaces, providing handrails or using floor markings.
If an incident occurs on an uneven floor and the person with duty of care had not put measures in place to safeguard workers or members of the public, then they will be held accountable for any personal injury compensation the court deems appropriate.
Thompsons slip and trip claim lawyers
If you have been injured at work as result of a slippery or uneven floor surface then Thompsons Scotland could help you claim slip and trip accident compensation if your employers have failed to take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury to their employees.
Contact our specialist lawyers today for advice and assistance in pursuing your personal injury claim on 0800 0891331.
Thompsons is Scotland's leading firm and has offices in Dumfries, Peebles, Galashiels, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
