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Physical hazards
Slips, trips and falls
 HSE statistics reveal that slips, trips and falls account for over
one third of all reported injuries in the workplace. Obstacles on the ground where people walk, wet or damaged flooring,
poor visibility, and even just inappropriate footwear can all cause harm - which makes them hazards. Working at height also poses a
particular danger because the distance to fall is greater, and so therefore is the likelihood of injury.
The picture on the right shows damaged steps in wet conditions which is a dangerous slip/trip hazard.
Moving objects
Around 70 workers are killed each year in the UK as a result of being struck by a moving vehicle.
Accidents involving moving vehicles also account for around one fifth of all reported major workplace injuries.
Any workplace transport or piece of mobile equipment, however commonplace, can pose a serious hazard.
 A further 20 per cent of fatalities and 15 per cent of major injuries in the workplace each year are caused by falling or moving objects.
Methods of storage and working practice have a large part to play in harm from such hazards being realised. The picture on the left shows the
disasterous consequences of a collision between a forklift truck and heavily-laden racking. The smaller picture in the corner shows racking elsewhere in the same warehouse.
Its poor condition makes a collapse more likely.
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