Proper PPE could stop slips, trips and falls injuries among railway workers

Data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) suggests that more can be done to reduce slips, trips and falls hazards for railway workers, particularly through the use of proper footwear.

In Breif:

• Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of injuries among railway workers, according to RSSB.
• Proper PPE, especially footwear, is crucial in reducing accidents and ensuring worker safety.
• Injuries not only impact worker health but also disrupt operations and incur financial losses.

In Detail:

More than 60% of injuries suffered by UK rail workers are due to slips, trips and falls, according to recent data, which has highlighted the need for greater attention on proper safety footwear. 

In the ‘2022/23 Annual Health and Safety Report’ by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, (RSSB) the figures revealed that out of the 83 specified injuries sustained by the mainline workforce, 50 were caused by slips, trips and falls.

Specialist footwear company HAIX responded to the data, with UK sales manager, Simon Ash, commenting on the important role appropriate PPE, in this case safety footwear, plays in reducing the risk of accidents for railway workers.

High-risk working situations, according to the UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE), include  environments where numerous hazards increase the risk of slips, trips and falls. In the rail industry, Ash said, these hazards would include inadequate lighting, adverse weather conditions, obstacles, distractions, slippery surfaces on tracks and platforms, falls during maintenance tasks, and a lack of awareness of changing railway environments.

He has claimed that insufficient workwear and improper footwear further heighten these risks as well as the potential for severe consequences.

Following a slip, resulting injuries can range from minor sprains and strains to severe fractures, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and even internal bleeding.

Additionally, these can develop into significant and even long-term health issues, such as musculoskeletal disorders, which the RSSB’s Health and Wellbeing Dashboard ranks among the top five reasons for sickness in the rail industry.

Ash explained in a statement that common slips, trips and falls in the railway industry often led to regular absenteeism and significant financial losses from medical and legal expenses to repairs and downtime.

Ash said: “Fines for companies found in breach of Health and Safety regulations are increasing, with some employers paying over £1m for a workplace incident. The diversion of financial resources originally ringfenced for improving train operations towards legal expenses and the repairs and replacement of damaged equipment further compound the financial burden and compromise on safety improvements by the industry.”

To protect workers and industry, Ash advised that staff choosing safety footwear should always ensure they are thoroughly tested and that they comply with the latest standards.

He said when railway companies are sourcing PPE for their teams, they “should ensure that footwear has undergone a series of quality assurance tests, including tasks that simulate day-to-day challenges faced by workers who spend most of the day on their feet”.

Further, Ash noted that all footwear must comply with primary safety standards including EN: ISO 20345:2011 – Safety Footwear and EN ISO 20347:2012 – Occupational (Professional) Footwear, which guarantee slip-resistant properties.

These certifications ensure that footwear meets essential professional standards based on testing across various components such as upper, lining, tongue, outsole, insole, inlay sole, and the overall footwear.

The latest revised update, EN ISO 20345:2022, now Europe-wide, includes updated tests for puncture and slip resistance, ladder grips, and scuff caps, enhancing overall safety against slips and trips.

Credit: Health and Safety International.