Safety Signs

The universal

Stanley Sign

A picture speaks louder than words

Safety signs lose their effectiveness when those nearby become used to them and ‘blind’ to the risks

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Risks should be controlled so that cleaners, and any other users of buildings, are kept safe and free from danger of injury.

Slips and trips

Slips and trips remain the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces. The process of cleaning has the potential to create many safety hazards, especially for those entering the area being cleaned, including the cleaners themselves. Frequent causes of accidents include freshly cleaned, smooth floors being left damp and slippery, or trailing wires from a vacuum or buffing machine, which can present a trip hazard. An effective cleaning regime requires a good management system to help you identify problem areas, develop and implement strategies for improvement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the changes made. Good communication is also needed at all levels to ensure the right action is taken – e.g. between equipment and chemical suppliers to clarify suitability of a product for the type of contaminant and floor.

Slip falls kill seven times more people than the flu.

Number one cause of ER visits for the past 15 years.

Slips and falls account for 300,000 disabling injuries per year.

Trips and slips are one of the most common causes of injury in the US every year, with one million Americans suffering a slip/trip/fall injury annually. Although most incidents may be fairly minor, 20-30% of people will experience moderate to severe injuries – in fact, falling is the most cause of brain trauma in all age groups. It accounts for 15% of all accidental deaths per year, second only behind motor vehicle accidents, and for those in the over 65 age group, it is the most common cause of death, with 1/3 of people in this demographic being injured in this way every year.

Prevention

Constructive training and supervision is essential to ensure cleaning is undertaken to the correct standard. Cleaners need to be fully informed of their duties and the reasons why the cleaning needs to be done in a particular way or at a particular time, as lack of understanding can lead to inappropriate short-cuts. Contamination is implicated in almost all slip accidents, so regular and thorough cleaning to remove contaminants helps to reduce the likelihood of an incident taking place. To help prevent against people slipping on floors that are wet from cleaning, stop pedestrian access by using barriers, locking doors or cleaning in sections. Although signs and cones are not a failsafe preventative method against slips and may be ignored, they are a good way of alerting those nearby of the problem and encouraging caution.

For example, in two similar cases against the same nationwide retailer in USA, there were two very different results directly as a result of the stores’ cleaning policies and employees’ actions.

Case One

Incident

A woman slipped on a puddle of soap instore, shattering her kneecap.
Arguments

Plaintiff claimed employees had walked past the area a number of times and had ignored the spillage.
Verdict

Defence ordered to pay plaintiff more than $400,000.

Case Two

Incident

A woman slipped on food instore, injuring her back.
Arguments

Plaintiff claimed retailer was liable as food samples were being given out instore. Defence argued that inspections were carried out hourly instore to check safety of floor.
Verdict

Jury determined that inspections were sufficient to prevent most injuries and no compensation was awarded to plaintiff.

As is clear from these two cases from the USA, even if a business is not always successful in preventing accidents on their premises, adopting good cleaning practices, with regular inspections and quick action to spillages, can be the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Safety Signs

One of the most basic methods of defence against slip accidents, and one that is used all over the world, is the use of signage to warn of the presence of a risk. Some spillages may not always be visible to the naked eye, such as water, grease or wax, and placing a very visible sign in the area can sometimes be the difference between an accident occurring and being prevented. Signs prevent pedestrian access to an area, giving employees time to deal with the issue, something that’s even more useful at the moment, when staff may want to stay socially distant from customers due to the risks of coronavirus.

Even if they are not a completely failsafe preventative method against slips, they are a good way of encouraging caution to those nearby, and are visible evidence that your business is taking reasonable measures to prevent accidents.

Safeguard Sign

Durable moulded polypropylene safety warning sign. Printed using a unique in-mould print injection, which ensures high resolution images and prevents fading.

Safeguard-R Sign

100% recycled durable moulded polypropylene safety warning sign. Printed using a unique in-mould print injection, which ensures high resolution images.

Heavy Duty Sign

60cm high durable moulded polypropylene printed on both sides. Non tip feature with a top clip to secure sign once opened. Available in different prints.

Sentry Cone

53.3cm high durable moulded polypropylene printed on 4 sides. Light and easy to transport and can be stacked to save on storage space.

Tall Safety Cone

91.4cm high durable moulded polypropylene printed on 4 sides. Light and easy to transport and can be stacked to save on storage space.

Rapid Response One

Highly visible, tall mobile safety cone, complete with mop holders, top handle, braked castor to prevent movement once locked and lockable internal storage.