References
1. Work Cover Injury Statistics
Work Cover Victoria estimates that the total cost of slip/fall injuries in the workplace is about $1.5 billion per year across Australia. This estimate includes all claims and those injuries that fall outside the claim criteria for medical cost and time off work.
Of these, 65% resulted in sprains and strains, with one in five resulting in a fracture.
40% of these injuries were leg injuries and a further 22% resulted in back injuries.
30% of these injuries incurred costs of over $5,000.
Over 40% of accidents led to time off work of more than 10 days.
The average payment by Work Cover in Victoria was over $10,700 per person.
Note: Not all slip incidents were caused by slippery floors. Work Cover do not
collect data at that level but confirm that slippery floors are a major cause.
2. Slip/fall Accidents among Older People
2.1 Injuries Among Older People
Source: Hazard (Edition No. 19) June 1994. Authors: Lesley Day, Sally
Kent, Brian Fildes.
In a study of injuries among people aged 65+ years:
66% of the reported cases were due to a fall of some nature.
Where “Floors and Flooring Material” caused the fall, in 81% of cases where information was available, the fall was due to slippery or wet floors.
2.2 Falls Risk Factors for Persons Aged 65 Years and Over, NSW
Australian Bureau of Statistics, October 1995. Ref: 4393.1
A study of falls amongst people aged 65+ showed that:
15.5% of males aged 65+ fall each year
23.9% of females aged 65+ fall each year
Where the floor surface was the factor contributing to the fall, 30% were caused by slippery surface.
3. Safety in the Home
People are already aware of the dangers of slippery baths, showers and
floors. This is shown through two ABS Surveys which highlight the
percentage of people who are already taking precautions against slipping.
(Don’t forget that every one of your business customers also has a home, and
faces the same problems or concerns for their family.)
3.1 Survey of Safety in the Home, Queensland
Australian Bureau of Statistics, October 1996. Ref: 4387.3
25% of households surveyed had anti-slip surfaces or strips, including rubber
mats, used or fitted in the bath or shower.
The rate was higher amongst:
Those with young children = 32%
Older person in household = 33%
3.2 Safety in the home, Melbourne
Australian Bureau of Statistics, November 1992. Ref: 4387.2
27.5% of households have anti-slip surfaces or strips, including rubber mats,
used or fitted in the bath or shower.
The rate was higher amongst:
Those with young children = 40.4%
Older person in household = 35.4%
4. Occupational Health and Safety Act Summaries
4.1 NSW Work Cover
Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983
A duty of care principle for all employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others in the workplace. An obligation for employers to establish that all reasonable practical measures have been taken to control risks against all possible injuries arising from the workplace. People in control of workplaces used by non-employees must ensure the health and safety of people who use the premises as a place of work. The employer’s “duty of care” applies to all people in the workplace, including visitors, contractors and others. A general obligation on employees to take care of others and cooperate with employers in matters of health and safety.
4.2 Victorian Work Cover
Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985
An employer shall provide and maintain so far as is practicable for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. An employee includes an independent contractor engaged by the employer or any employees of the independent contractor. An occupier of a workplace shall take such measures as are practicable to ensure that the workplace and the means of access to and egress from the workplace are safe and without risks to health. An employee, while at work, must cooperate with his or her employee with respect to any action taken by the employer to comply with any requirement imposed by or under this Act.
5. Australian Occupational Health and Safety Law
5.1 Employer and Occupier found to share liability
In the case of Lyons v Fondi Investments Pty Ltd & Ors, a cleaner slipped and fell on steps leading to her workplace. The incident was caused by a slippery and sloping ramp. The Supreme Court of the ACT found that the employer had not taken reasonable care to protect the cleaner from a foreseeable risk of injury in using the ramp. The occupier, who was in control of the ramp, was also found to be responsible for its dangerous state and the fact that they had directed the cleaner to use it. Total damages awarded were $98,195 with 75% of the liability apportioned to the occupier and 25% to the employer.
6. Standards Australia: Slip Resistance of Surfaces
6.1 Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surfaces
Part 2. Guide to reduction of slip hazards
Source: Standards Australia Ref: AS/NZS 3661.2:1993
“It is generally recognised that falls are the most frequent cause of accidental injury, and slipping on walking surfaces is a very significant factor in pedestrian falls. When the elderly and disable are involved, the consequences can be most serious.”
“In New Zealand, in each of the calendar years 1982 to 1984, the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand received approximately 7,500 claims resulting from falls caused by slipping. Compensation paid for each of these years averaged $9 million.”
“A study in Sweden showed that 11% of all occupational accidents involved slipping.”
“A study in North America showed that slips contributed to 70% of falls sustained by the elderly.”
“It is also essential to consider transition areas where the unwary pedestrian may be prone to slipping…in certain areas such as food preparation, or in public places having direct access from the outside…”
6.2 Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surfaces
Part 2. Requirements
Source: Standards Australia. Ref: AS/NZS 3661.1:1993
The following pages are copies of pages of the above standard and have been produced with permission of Standards Australia. Copyright of these pages remains with Standards Australia and further copies cannot be made without the written permission of Standards Australia. The pages refer to the minimum coefficient of friction required (0.4) which is below the minimum requirement set in other countries (eg. USA = 0.5)