We have had a number of queries concerning slipping on floors due to wet/frosty conditions where it appears, in one case a customer, and in another an employee, are fraudulently trying to claim for injuries sustained.

In the customer case the conditions were damp outside and the slip occurred as the person entered a showroom. It is important to take suitable precautions e.g. by fitting suitable canopies, using sufficiently large absorbent doormats and setting up signs to warn of slippery surfaces. Where applicable the surface roughness must be taken into consideration and the Health and Safety website gives guidance on interpreting manufacturers data. If a slip occurs always record it in the accident book.

In the employee case, an employee slipped on ice outside. It is important to have someone designated to salt and clear such areas when conditions are frosty. Sometimes lighting can be an issue since winter sunlight can be a particular hazard in seeing where ice has formed. The employee fell but on the next day rang in sick, and on the next day claimed to be injured.

Somehow the story didn’t stack up, so once again always record in the accident book what is going on.

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