Reducing slips and trips 

The latest in our series of articles from Baptist Insurance features health and safety advice in bad weather

Bad weather can cause more slip and trip hazards than usual. Storms can cause debris to fall on pathways and ice and snow often create slippery surfaces.
 
Applying some simple health and safety measures can help protect people at your church from injuries caused by slips, trips and falls.
 

Top tips to prevent slips, trips and falls
Baptist Insurance has collated some top tips below to help get you started:

• Replace or repair cracked or damaged flooring
• Remove or replace worn, damaged or loose floor coverings (e.g. carpets, mats and rugs)
• Fix down carpets and entrance matting securely
• Carry out regular maintenance and repair of roofs, ceilings and guttering
• Repair potholes or uneven surfaces in paths, driveways, car parks and steps
• Highlight unexpected changes or variations in floor levels, steps or stairs
• Provide adequate or enhanced lighting
• Avoid or cover trailing electric leads
• Provide steps, stairs and steep paths with suitable handrails
• Remove stored furniture and other obstructions from footpaths and walkways
• Regularly clean floors and coverings
• Provide adequate barriers and warnings where there are unprotected drops
• Regular maintenance and proper repair of external drainage
• Provide entrance matting
• Remove protruding tree roots and undergrowth where these are obstructing access
• Provide warning signs where cleaning is taking or has taken place
• Remove algae, moss or accumulations of leaves on external footpaths
• Grit footpaths where snow or ice is forecast and remove any snowfall. 

To find out more about slips and trips or our other health and safety articles, visit the Baptist Insurance website or call 0345 070 2223.
 

Want to know more?

Baptist Insurance wants to provide you with the help and advice that you need to continue to protect your church and its community. For additional guidance or information on church and home insurance, please visit their website.