Arco Steps Up Prevention Against Slips And Trips

With news that 55% of all accidents in the education sector are caused by a slip or trip, safety company Arco is supporting the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) ‘Shattered Lives' campaign to help those working in education drive down the massive personal and financial cost of this type of workplace accident.

Last year in the education sector alone almost 2000 major injury slip and trip accidents were reported with 90% of major accidents resulting in a broken bone. The HSE states that 80% of all British employers regard slips, trips and falls as their biggest health and safety risk – an indication of industry's recognition of the extent of improvements required to reduce the potential for accidents.

Slips, trips and falls injuries cost over £800m
Introducing the 'Shattered Lives' campaign last year, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Head of the Injuries Reduction Programme, HSE said, "Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million pounds. They can also have a shattering effect on organisations through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity. Irrespective of the size of the organisation and the job that you do, it could happen to you."

Arco has been at the forefront of pioneering technology within the safety and workwear sector for many years and is renowned for partnering with specialist manufacturers and testing houses in the continual development and expansion of a cost-effective range of safety products that will help reduce risk in specific applications.

"We are in full support of the HSE's Shattered Lives campaign and we recommend that customers use the HSE's STEP e-Learning package providing slip and trip guidance. It is an easy way to learn about slips and trips, their causes, how to prevent them and why stopping them is important." says Liz Johnsen, Arco's product manager for footwear. "Footwear is very important to people who work in education environments, from caterers and cleaning staff to teachers and as one of our biggest selling product ranges we have a lot of experience in helping organisations reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. When selecting footwear, those responsible for purchasing often have to strike a balance between comfort, style and practicality, with safety remaining the number one criterion. What suits one person won't necessarily fit another, so we offer a wide range of styles and sizes to meet all requirements."

In a recent independent survey of slip resistant footwear, Arco was the sole stockist of two the highest performing brands of all safety shoes: its own-brand Arco Safety Stop range and Shoes for Crews (SFC). SFC has been a world leader of the slip resistant footwear industry for several years. To help keep people safe on their feet and minimize the risk of slipping, SFC has developed a superior non-slip technology that works in oily, greasy and icy conditions making it ideal for the toughest environment. Its specially designed diamond shaped grid pattern and cleat depth provide unequalled slip resistance by channelling liquids away from the bottom of the sole.

For more details of how Arco can help you address slips, trips and falls, please visit www.arco.co.uk.

SOURCE: Arco