Liquid spills in

the workplace
and how to give them the slip

Liquid spills in the workplace lead directly to slips and falls

which kill and injure. Their cost to a company’s reputation,
operations and profitability is considerable too.

This paper details the hazards facing your operation and the
products and processes developed to help you mitigate them.

It is likely to be of special interest if you hold any of the

following positions:

• Maintenance Manager
• Technical Specialist
• Operations or Production Manager
• Engineer
• Purchasing Officer
• Stores Manager
• Administrator
• Company Executive or Director
• Laboratory Technician
• Warehouse Manager
• Environmental Health and Safety Manager

© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk

Spilling
the truth on
spillages
Accidents caused by liquid spills
in the workplace don’t just
injure people. They damage an
organisation’s reputation and
can hamper their operation too.
Add in the risks of legal action
and expensive compensation
and this is clearly one class of
accident you need to hurdle.
Statistics show that:
• Slip, trip and fall incidents
in the UK workplace cost 40
workers their lives in 2009.1
• Slips, trips and falls are the
single most common cause
of major injury in the UK
workplace.2
• 95% of major slips result in
broken bones.2
• Slip and fall injuries account
for 33% of all major injuries
reported.3
• Nearly 11,000 major slip or
fall incidents are recorded
each year.4
• Slip and fall accidents
cost employers more than
£512 million per year.2
• Slip and fall accidents
cost the health service
£133 million per year.2
As the Health and Safety Executive explains, “Legal actions brought as a
result of an injury can be extremely damaging to business, especially where
the public is involved.” 2
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com
© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk
Your legal
obligation
As the number-one cause of
workplace injuries, slips and
falls are a major driver of Health
and Safety legislation.
Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974 2
• Provisions require employers
to ensure that those present
on their premises are kept
safe from harm and from
factors dangerous to their
health. Employees and other
relevant parties – such as
visitors, customers and
members of the public – are
all covered by this legislation.
• Potential causes of slips,
such as wet spillages, must
be controlled to mitigate risk.
• Employees are obliged to
use any safety equipment
provided to mitigate risk.
The Management of
Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1999 2
• Built on the 1974 provisions.
Obliges employers to assess
risks in the workplace –
including potential causes of
slips, trips and falls – and,
where necessary, to take
action to safeguard health
and safety.
The Workplace (Health,
Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992 2
• Requires floors be suitable
for the workplace and work
activity and be kept in good
condition free of obstructions.
• Requires people in the
workplace to move
around safely.
Failure to comply with this
legislation puts you at risk of
prosecution – even if no accident
has actually occurred. As the
Health and Safety Executive
explains, “Legal actions brought
as a result of an injury can be
extremely damaging to business,
especially where the public is
involved.” 2 Best practice is to
investigate the latest practices,
products and technologies
designed to ensure compliance.
Additional
risks to your
organisation
In the event of an accident, it’s
not just the risk of prosecution
you need to worry about. Slips
and falls caused by liquid spills
can send the performance of your
organisation tumbling too.
Damage to your reputation
Accidents in the workplace
have always been harmful to an
organisation’s profile. Word of
mouth can often become
inaccurate and exaggerated
‘Chinese whispers’ – and local
newspapers, who love bad news,
have always been quick to
sensationalise matters. Even the
skeptical listener or reader may
come away thinking there’s no
smoke without fire.
Today, thanks to the Internet
– and in particular to social
networking sites like Twitter
and Facebook – the public at
large is more inter-connected
than ever. This poses special
challenges for businesses, and
especially for their reputations.
News of even a relatively minor
accident in the workplace can
become public knowledge in
minutes, casting doubts on a
company’s health-and-safety
practices and, by extension,
on its wider credentials. In
extreme cases, consumers have
even actioned demonstrations
and product boycotts to punish
organisations seen as neglectful.
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com
© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk
Damage to your operation Worsening this situation is the
rise of today’s ‘compensation
An employee injured in a fall
caused by a slip may be unable
culture’, with aggressive,
no-win, no-fee law firms having
to resume their normal duties
for days, months or even years.
a vested interest in apportioning
blame and maximising pay-outs.
This is especially damaging to
While the UK government is
your organisation if the affected
seeking to limit the influence
person is highly skilled as any
of these parties5, the financial
replacement will take time and
consequences of any incident
resources to train up.
can be enormous.
In such circumstances –
By law, you are required to have
and especially if, as with factory
employer’s liability insurance.
production runs, there’s urgency
But this is only likely to cover
to resume business as normal
a small proportion of the total
– a quick-fix solution may be to
costs, with your business having
recruit agency staff. But these
to make up the difference. This
are typically more expensive to
is likely to include: wages for the
employ than in-house people
injured worker or workers while
and lack in-depth knowledge of
they recover, loss of production
your operation.
through down time and remedial
More damaging still can be work, overtime wages paid to
the effect of a slip-induced fall make good production shortfalls,
on overall morale within the legal expenses and fines and
workplace. Questions like: court costs.
“How did the accident happen?”,
Such expenses can be
“How long will they be off work?”,
considerable – for example,
“Will they be permanently
trips, slips and falls and other
disabled?” and “Could it have
accidents and injury claims
happened to me?” can cast a
resulted in councils in the West
dark pall over an otherwise
Midlands and Staffordshire
happy workforce, harming
paying £10.6 million in public
productivity and relations
liability cases between 2008
between employers and
and 2010.6
employees. In the worse-case
scenario, such incidents can Should your business experience
even trigger strikes and other such an incident, the price you
industrial action. pay for your liability insurance is
likely to rocket too. For example,
Damage to your bottom line an employee breaking an arm
Typically, slips and falls caused can increase your premiums by
by liquid spills result in claims £6,000 or more.2
for compensation to cover the
physical, emotional and financial
harm caused to a victim and
their future prospects.
Towards Remember: for every accident
resulting in a major slip
a more accident, there are likely to
be 40 resulting in more minor
surefooted injuries or no injuries at all.2
Considering these can be the key
workplace to forestalling a bigger problem
Slips and falls occur when a in the future.
contaminant intervenes between Areas you may need to
the floor and the person using it. examine include:
Clean, dry surfaces normally
provide sound footing – but liquid Inside
spills can transform these into • Battery Storage Areas
hazardous, even deadly hazards. • Drum Storage Areas
Eliminating slips and falls caused • Laboratories
by liquid spills therefore becomes • Office Areas
a 4-step process: • Manufacturing Areas
• Warehousing
1. Identify the risk of slip • Roofs
incidents across each area of • Janitorial/
the workplace. Maintenance Areas
2. Develop ways to isolate liquids • Canteens
from contacting the floor. • Bathrooms
• Store Rooms
3. Develop ways to control and
contain liquid spills should Outside
they occur. • Loading Docks
4. Educate and train to sustain • Smoking Areas
best practice and mitigate risk. • Entranceways
• Car Parks
Identify the risk • Outdoor Storage Areas
Take an in-depth look at your • Fleet Maintenance Areas
workplace, examining where you • Hazardous Waste
use, store, transport and dispose Storage Areas
of liquids. Each area should • Railway
be assessed for potential risks • Loading Areas
– criteria to consider include: • Fuelling Areas
amounts of liquid likely to come • Wastewater
into contact with the floor, types
of liquid and the specific hazards
they pose, available cleaning For every major injury accident, there
procedures, how much foot traffic will be about 40 slips or stumbles, each
the area receives and previous
slip accidents that have occurred causing only minor injury or none at all.2
within it.

Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com

© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk

Isolate the Best practice recommends
that you:
• Ensure liquid storage is
properly signposted and
hazard • Take care to comply with
marked so employees,
cleaners and visitors can
all relevant containment
Designing-out the risk of a take suitable precautions.
regulations, including:
wet spillage completely – with
The Control of Pollution • Review your workflow
new machinery and equipment
(Oil Storage) (England) layout to ensure liquids are
– is often the ideal solution.
2001 and the Water being transported no more
But complexity and cost may
Environment (Oil Storage) than necessary.
preclude this option.
(Scotland 2006) Regulations,
• Ensure that employees
A second way to isolate the HSG 51 The Storage of
transport liquid using
liquids that might cause a Flammable Liquids in
equipment designed for
spill hazard is to tightly limit Containers, PPG26, COSHH,
the purpose and in the
and manage their storage Environmental Protection
approved manner.
and movement. Within your Act (1990).
workplace, liquids will be used in • Make sure you have
• When appropriate and
countless processes – including appropriate flooring where
chemically compatible, use
production, cleaning, testing, you need to transport
transparent storage liquid
maintenance and transport. They liquids. Uneven flooring
containers so all concerned
are likely to be stored in vessels can cause employees to slip
can see how much liquid is
of all sizes and configurations and fall while transporting
being stored.
– from laboratory beakers, liquids with potentially fatal
through water-cooler bottles • Line shelves and cabinets consequences.
and dedicated containers for with appropriate absorbent
• Consider how your facility
flammable and toxic chemicals, matting or trays to protect
disposes of its waste liquids
to waste-oil tanks and fuel silos. against small container
and how this could be
spillages.
rationalised.

Within your workplace, liquids will

be used in countless processes –
including production, cleaning, testing,
maintenance and transport.

Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com

© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk

 Capturing leaks Contain the Should a liquid come into contact
with the floor or other prescribed
from machinery, hazard surfaces, these products will help
you eliminate the risk of slips
drums and Even a minor liquid spill and falls:
other sources can pose a major slip hazard.
• Absorbent Mats – use these
before they So it’s essential all spill events
to soak up leaks, drips and
are quickly contained – ideally
reach walkways before the liquid comes into
spills on walkways.
is essential. contact with the floor. • Wipes – these effectively
absorb cleaners, oil, grease,
In this respect, capturing leaks
coolants and solvents; others
from machinery, drums and
are used to remove dry
other sources before they reach
contaminants like dust and
walkways is essential. Products
dirt which can also cause
designed for this purpose include:
slips and falls.
• Absorbent Socks – these
• Entrance Mats – these
mould around the bases of
reduce the amount of water
machines or containers to
and dirt that is tracked from
stop spills fouling the floor.
the outside to the inside.
• Drip Trays, Pans and
• Spill Kits – keep these in
Absorbent Pillows – place
high-risk areas to quickly
under machinery to catch
and effectively control
leaks and drips.
hazardous liquid spills.
• Barrel-Top Mats – use to
Additional safety products you
prevent liquids leaking
may want to consider include:
down the sides of drums
during transfer. • Anti-slip Mats – perforated
with drainage holes, these
• Dispensing Dollies – these
elevate workers out of
provide drum transportation
standing pools of liquid to
and a dispensing station to
reduce contact with a slip
act as secondary containment
hazard.
for leaks and drips.
• Slip-Resistant Floor Paint
• Spill Pallets and Decks –
and Coatings – these improve
ideal for containing larger
the safety of all those using
liquid spills that often occur
your facility.
in material dispensing and
waste-collection areas. • Anti-Slip Tape, Tread and
Coverings – these help
• Leak Diverters – these
prevent slips and falls on
capture and divert roof and
stairs, landings, ramps,
office leaks.
ladders and floors.

Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com

© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk

Absorbing
the risk
Absorbent Mats and Spill
Kits help contain liquid spills,
preventing slips and falls in the
workplace. You are also advised
to develop your own spill
response plan.
Five factors to consider when
choosing Absorbent Mats are:
• The precise type or
types of liquids needed to
be absorbed.
• Likely volumes of liquid
needed to be absorbed –
manufacturers of Absorbent
Mats can advise you on the
right products to meet
your needs.
• Liquid retention –
Absorbent Mats designed
with a strong microstructure
are able to soak up and
retain more before they
become saturated.
• Product durability –
Absorbent Mats formed
from multiple layers have
enhanced strength and
abrasion resistance so last
longer and reduce your
overall cost.
• Gripping characteristics –
for an Absorbent Mat to
prevent slips and falls, it
must stay securely to the
surface it’s applied to and
not shift underfoot.
Absorbent Mats designed with a strong microstructure are able
to soak up and retain more liquid before they become saturated.
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com
© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk
Spill Kits provide the tools to
prevent accidents from becoming
tragedies – provided they have
been carefully selected and
located. Remember to ensure
that each one is:
• Chemically suitable for the
type of liquid it’s likely to
come into contact with –
remedies that aren’t fit for
purpose can actually increase
the hazard.
• Sufficient to deal with
the largest amount of
liquid likely to be spilled –
overestimate your ability to
absorb a hazard and it will
quickly spread.
• Located to enable the
quickest response. Spill Kits
that are inaccessible or out of
sight are of no value when an
accident occurs.
• Easy to maneuver in a spill
situation – responders having
to carry bulky or unwieldy
items over slippery floors is a
recipe for disaster.
A comprehensive spill response
mitigates not just the risk of
slips and falls but of other health
and environmental hazards too:
1. Assess the risk.
Decide the type and amount
of liquid that has spilled,
and the risk posed to
spill responders and the
environment.
2. Equip the responders.
If appropriate, ensure
responders have protective
clothing and equipment.
3. Confine the spill.
Use absorbent socks and
non-absorbent barriers to
keep the spill from spreading
into walkways, water sources
and drains.
4. Stop the spill at its source.
This may be as simple as
turning a displaced container
upright or closing a valve, or
may require plugging a leak.
5. Evaluate and implement
the clean-up.
Absorbent Pillows and
Mat Pads may be used in
conjunction with vacuuming
and pumping equipment to
complete the clean up after a
large spill.
6. Decontaminate.
With the clean up complete,
all those exposed to
potentially hazardous
materials will need to be
thoroughly decontaminated.
Likewise the affected area –
and any tools used such as
shovels, pumps and vacuums
– will require cleaning and
possibly degreasing.
7. Report.
Complete all reporting
procedures in accordance
with local and national
guidelines for spill incidents.
Absorbing
the lessons
Creating a workplace in which
liquid spills are less likely to
occur – and are less likely to
cause slips and falls should they
occur – requires a proactive
approach by employers and
employees alike. Central to this
is education and communication.
Rather than intuitive ‘common
sense’, safety in the workplace
is learned behaviour and it’s
the employer’s responsibility to
ensure this is taught. Ideally,
such training will go beyond
instruction in the simple ‘do’s
and don’ts’ of workplace safety to
explain the ‘why’s’ of using
the best products and processes
as well.
For example, why shouldn’t
cardboard be laid over a liquid
spill? Because it’s ineffective, has
poor grip and may increase the
risk of a slip and fall. Isn’t water
the ideal way to wash away a
spill hazard? Not necessarily –
better to use a spill kit especially
Research by the Health and Safety Executive shows that involving
employees in your planning reduces accidents by a quarter.2
References
1
HR Review - 8/2/2010
2
Health and Safety Executive
3
Westminster City Council
Registered office: New Pig Ltd • Hogs Hill Watt Place • Hamilton International Technology Park • Blantyre G72 0AH
Freephone: 0800 919 900 • Fax: 0800 731 5071 • pigpen@newpig.com
© 2010 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved. • facebook.com/newpiguk • www.newpig.co.uk
formulated for the liquid in
question. Surely fabric rags
Multiple reporting methods
– these may include face-to-
are OK for staunching leaks
from machines and containers?
face contact, safety meetings,
email and phone contacts,
No – dedicated Absorbent Mats even a suggestion box – are
and Socks are constructed and recommended. Bulletin boards
configured to soak up more and and intranets are ways to get
to achieve a tighter fit. the word out.
With this kind of knowledge, Lastly, always follow up
employees become actively on suggestions – an issue
engaged in safety and are communicated must be
empowered to identify potential validated. Ensure an employee
hazards independently. Research feels his contribution is welcome
by the Health and Safety and keep them informed of
Executive shows that involving the status of their suggestion.
employees in your planning Nothing kills initiative like
reduces accidents by a quarter.2 ignoring it.
An informed workforce
requires ways to pass on its
concerns and suggestions,
so it’s crucial that clear and
efficient communication paths
are established. Whether the
employee’s point of contact is a
supervr, plant manager or safety
co-ordinator, it’s essential this
person is trained to listen and
enquire – if an organisation’s
leaders don’t show a proactive
concern for improving safety,
no-one else will.
4
Your Legal Rights/Barbour
Environment Health and Safety
5
BBC News – 19/6/2010
6
Midland News Association/
expressandstar.com - 25/9/2010