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Slips and trips at historic properties

06 August 2019

Historic properties can present different slip and trip hazards to modern buildings and can challenge standard preventative methods, often due to the fabric of the building or design constraints.

Slips and trips hazards

Slips and trips cause many injuries, mostly minor but they can be severe and disabling. They are the most common cause of injury in Irish workplaces, and they account for over half of liability claims notified to Ecclesiastical Ireland. Hazards can be present inside a property and outside of it, in car parks, grounds and access roads, and temporary structures such as marquees.

Slips and trip risks can develop over time

In comparison with today, historic properties were most likely built to different standards (if any at all) and for very different purposes. Over time, buildings change becoming worn or damaged and whilst this is part of their story, hazards develop.

Most slips occur when smooth flooring such as stone becomes wet or contaminated as a result of weather conditions, cleaning or a spillage. Commonly, trips are caused by broken or uneven flooring, hidden steps or worn floor coverings and where power cables trail across the floor. Poorly lit areas and tight spiral staircases can also cause a slip or trip.

Guidance for slips and trips in historic properties

Following a unique project by Ecclesiastical and leading researchers at the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) in the UK, we have produced a series of guides to help manage slips and trips at historic premises.

The eight-part guide considers a 360^o view from prevention to defensibility, and outlines cost-effective, yet sympathetic solutions to protect buildings as well as people.

You can access the practical findings of this unique research by reading more about the different risk factors via the images below or going direct to the guidance documents listed at the bottom of this page.

The problem and the solution

Building design

The fabric and design of a church can be something to celebrate but might also be a risk.

How do we strike the balance between protecting history and your people?

Hazard - Change in flooring type and level where this presents a significant risk
Solution - A carpet either side of the step (but not over it) highlights it is there.

Find out more

Cleaning

Many slip and trip hazards can be eliminated in churches with proper cleaning and good housekeeping. It is easy to get this wrong or ignore it completely, and it is not always viewed as a safety critical activity.

Poor cleaning can leave smooth floors wet and bad housekeeping can introduce additional hazards.

Hazard - A warning sign left in place after the floor has dried.
Solution - Ensure staff/volunteers know to remove the sign as soon as the floor is safe.

Find out more

Inspection and maintenance

An effective approach to the inspection and maintenance of floors, steps and paths is important in preventing slips and trips.

Keeping simple records of this can also help to protect you should a claim be made.

Hazard - Broken paving
Solution - After inspection, fence it off.

Find out more

People

How people access and use your church can increase the risk of slipping or tripping. This isn't just during normal, day-to-day activities, but also during other events. Understanding this can help identify slip and trip hazards.

Sharing information about slip and trip hazards with staff/volunteers and visitors can also help to reduce the chance of them happening.

Hazard - A staircase that is difficult for someone with a physical disability to use
Solution - Present a short video about the spaces that cannot be accessed.

Find out more

The environment and contamination

There are a number of factors that can affect how likely people are to slip.

The most important of these include lighting levels (that can influence how easily people will spot hazards); adverse weather conditions (such as snow or ice affecting underfoot conditions); and contamination (anything on the floor surface that can make it more slippery).

Hazard - Wet weather being walked inside
Solution - At entrances, add matting of the correct size and position carefully.

Find out more

Slips, trips and the law

Naturally, you will want to meet any legal responsibilities you may have. Understanding these will be important and should help you respond in a sensible and proportionate manner.