Safety signs keep people safe
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.
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.
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.
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
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Incident
A woman slipped on a puddle of soap instore, shattering her kneecap.
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Arguments
Plaintiff claimed employees had walked past the area a number of times and had ignored the spillage.
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Verdict
Defence ordered to pay plaintiff more than $400,000.
Case Two
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Incident
A woman slipped on food instore, injuring her back.
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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.
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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.
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.
Closed For Cleaning Sign
Telescopic to suit doorways from 78cm to 135cm.
Creates a visible hanging
barrier. Simply rolls up for space saving storage.
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.
Safety Sign
Durable polypropylene
folding ‘A’ sign displaying
‘Caution Wet Floor’ in
both English and Spanish.
Safeguard-R Sign
Durable polypropylene folding ‘A’ sign displaying ‘Caution Wet Floor’ in both English and French.
Tall Caution Cone
Durable polypropylene
caution sign displaying
‘Caution Wet Floor’ in
both English and Spanish.
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.
Rapid Response
Highly visible, tall mobile safety cone, complete with mop holders, top handle and braked castors to prevent movement once locked.
Dry N Safe Kit
All-in-one solution for emergency spillages. Contains Safety Cone, Interchange Handle and Super Drying Mophead and Frame, for both drying floors and keeping them safe.
Dry N Safe Kit w/ Rapid Mop
All-in-one solution for emergency spillages. Contains Rapid Response Safety Cone, Rapid Mop, Interchange Handle and Super Drying Mophead and Frame, for both cleaning and drying floors.
SYR Spill Management Kit
The premium spill kit for sweeping, mopping, squeegeeing and drying. Contains Rapid Response Safety Cone, Dual Mop, Microfibre Heads, Dry Mophead, Lidded Lipped Lobby Pan and colour-coded Squeegee Brush.
Rapid Response Cone Kit
All-in-one solution for emergency spillages. Contains Rapid Response Safety Cone, Rapid Mop, Interchange Handle and Super Drying Mophead and Frame, for both cleaning and drying floors.
SYR Spill Kit Response System
All-in-one solution for emergency spillages. Contains Rapid Response Safety Cone, Rapid Mop, Lidded Lipped Lobby Pan and Squeegee Brush, to mop floors, sweep breakages and squeegee up liquids.
SYR Spill Management Kit
The premium spill kit for sweeping, mopping, squeegeeing and drying. Contains Rapid Response Safety Cone, Dual Mop, Microfibre Heads, Dry Mophead, Lidded Lipped Lobby Pan and colour-coded Squeegee Brush.
