Update – 01/06/2022
12 tips to stopping trips, slips and personal injury claims
Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries in the workplace. Outdoor surfaces bring extra challenges especially in a wet climate. Up-to-date liability insurance is absolutely necessary for clubs to remain protected against slips and trips claims. As part of their policy, and for common sense, clubs should put preventative measure in place to reduce the likelihood of being made subject to a claim. Therefore, clubs need to know how to minimise the risk of slipping and tripping accidents?
For example; wooden decking is especially likely to become slippery when wet, especially if it hasn’t had the chance to dry out in between rain showers. Wet leaves are another hazard when it comes to surfaces. Identifying these risk factors at your club is essential.
Slip, trip and fall accidents are a serious issue. The HSE identifies that these accidents are the most common cause of major injury in the UK. Now would be the time to consider what you can do to reduce risk.
Safeguarding your business from slips and trips claims
Businesses should be extra vigilant, ensuring wet weather procedures are followed up with documentation of events recorded and retained. A broker and insurer will require this information, if you are unsure on how to record your already present safety actions/procedures, contact Club Insure today.
Our industry has recently seen a rise in personal injury claims resulting from slips on wooden decking. With many clubs taking advantage of the lockdown to expand and renovate, liability policies will also need to be updated.
Legal actions following an injury can be extremely costly, whereas, effective health and safety solutions are often simple and inexpensive:
We advise clubs to review these 12 precautions:
- Clean the decking regularly. Remove leaves, litter, mud, debris and excess water from surfaces before visitors attend
- Use anti-slip or high visibility tread. This can be applied directly onto the decking surface
- Display signs warning of risk of slipping when appropriate
- Provide handrails and maintain them in good condition
- Apply yellow hazard tape or paint for easier identification of the decked area boundary
- Install good quality entrance matting
- Coat the decking with non-slip paint
- Provide suitable lighting
- Ensure a risk assessment has been carried out to help identify hazards
- Advise members of staff and customers to wear sensible footwear when outside
- Close off outdoor areas where appropriate during bad weather
- Keep your policies up to date and inform your broker of any changes to your venue
At Club Insure, our mission is to ensure that your club is protected at all times of year and in all weathers. Using these tips, you’ll reduce your risk of a personal injury claims in relation to accidents on your premises. If you are made subject to a claim, our internal claims team will be able to swiftly guide you through the process.
Club Insure’s risk assessment services are ideal for analysing the many risk factors at your club. Contact us for a free visitation, we will come to your club and discuss how we can best help you.
Try our risk assessment checklist and see where you stand.