Webinar Overview
Slips, trips and falls remain the most common cause of injury in the UK and frequently give rise to personal injury claims. Understanding why these accidents occur, the standards that apply, and how risks should be assessed is essential for those involved in investigating, defending, or managing such claims.
Drawing on our practical experience, this webinar provides an overview of the key issues that arise in slips, trips and falls cases. We will examine the common causes of slip and trip accidents, explore the legal duties and industry standards that govern safety, and discuss the importance of effective risk assessment in identifying and controlling hazards.
The session will also consider the methods used to test slip resistance, the role that lighting can play in accident causation, and the lighting levels required to promote safe access and movement. Through a series of examples and recurring themes from personal injury claims, attendees will gain practical insights into the factors that should be considered when evaluating liability and causation in slips, trips and falls incidents.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the scale and significance of slips, trips and falls as a leading cause of workplace and public injury claims in the UK.
- Identify the common causes of slip and trip accidents and recognise the factors that contribute to increased risk.
- Explain the standards and guidance applicable to the prevention and management of slip and trip hazards.
- Understand the legal framework governing occupiers' and employers' responsibilities in relation to slips, trips and falls.
- Recognise the importance of risk assessment and apply a structured approach to identifying and controlling hazards.
- Understand testing methodologies used to assess slip resistance and determine whether appropriate standards have been achieved.
- Evaluate the role of lighting in accident causation and understand the lighting levels required to support safe movement.
- Apply lessons learned from real-world examples and common themes encountered in personal injury claims involving slips, trips and falls.
Dave’s safety career began whilst employed as a Parachute Jump Instructor in the RAF, acting as a Drop Zone Safety Officer, managing a parachute centre and providing specialist training and advice. After leaving the RAF, Dave moved into Health and Safety supporting a local authority Leisure Trust after which he then moving to become responsible for Health and Safety within a Premier League Football Club. This experience enabled him to become a qualified Football Safety Officer and eventually become something of a leisure sector specialist having advised, amongst others, Liverpool FC and Bolton Wanderers FC on a wide range of health and safety management issues.
Dave has also gained a broad wealth of experience in supporting clients across a number of sectors as a result holding senior positions at a number of the UK’s best regarded Health and Safety consultancies including Pennington Choices and Ellis Whittam. In these roles he provided Health and Safety support to a range of key clients across the leisure, education, housing, hotel, retail, ecclesiastical and manufacturing sectors.
In addition to his experience gained in the field, Dave also holds a number of professional qualifications including Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health, a Practitioner Member of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment, IOSH Safety for Senior Executives and NVQs in Operational Management, Occupational Health & Safety, and Spectator Safety Management, (Requirement for Event Safety Officers). Dave is also accredited to deliver IOSH training for Leading Safety, Managing Safety and Working Safety.... view full biography