SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS THE WAKE-UP CALL
Is outdated technology a warning sign for workplace safety, asks Phil Jones, Chief Operating Officer at Vantify.
HSE’s annual statistics revealed that fatal falls from height increased by nearly 25% between 2023 and 2024, claiming 50 lives – making it the leading cause of workplace fatalities. These aren’t just numbers, they represent real lives lost and more must be done to stop this from happening. This is a stark reminder that fatalities at work are still a pressing concern, and a wake-up call that many basic safety protocols aren’t working properly, with devastating consequences.
“SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS AREN’T JUST CONFINED TO HAZARDOUS WORK AREAS INVOLVING CHANGES IN HEIGHT - 32% HAPPEN ON FLAT, SAME-LEVEL SURFACES ACCORDING TO OUR OWN RESEARCH.”
As expectations around workplace safety change, facilities managers and health and safety professionals play an increasingly vital role. Compliance alone isn’t enough – staying ahead of the game requires proactive, tech- enabled strategies that identify and mitigate risks before they escalate.
Removing obvious hazards like repairing defective floor surfaces or wet floors is just the beginning. What many overlook is that some of the most serious incidents stem from the simplest circumstances. Slips, trips and falls aren’t just confined to hazardous work areas involving changes in height – 32% happen on flat, same-level surfaces according to our own research.
One standout insight was that 10% of all health and safety actions over 12 months were tied to slip, trip, and fall prevention. The message is clear – everyday environments present serious risks that demand faster, smarter action. And when no action is taken, businesses have a price to pay.
Injuries lead to time off work, costly compensation claims and, in severe cases, long-term reputational damage. Depending on the severity of the case, they could cost businesses anything from £7,000 to more than £750,000 in compensation. Whether it’s a seven-foot fall or a trip over loose floor coverings, the consequences can be significant.
“COMPLIANCE ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH – STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME REQUIRES PROACTIVE, TECHENABLED STRATEGIES THAT IDENTIFY AND MITIGATE RISKS BEFORE THEY ESCALATE.”
Total prevention of accidents may not be possible, but swiftly identifying and resolving hazards can dramatically reduce risk. Too often, hazards are flagged too late, buried in disconnected systems, or missed entirely in the daily
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operational shuffle. Facilities managers can’t act if they don’t have visibility, and total visibility is virtually impossible when using multiple, disparate compliance systems.
This is where technology becomes essential, integrating data so issues are flagged and escalated instantly to the right people. Fragmented systems lead to missed opportunities for intervention. In a safety-critical context, that delay could cost a life. That’s why we developed a single digital ecosystem in Vantify – to simplify compliance, reduce risk and improve visibility.
We identified a major gap in the market for a single digital ecosystem where health and safety actions and compliance workflows could seamlessly integrate, with 24/7 support available from real people, not chat bots. We care about not just helping companies to achieve health and safety standards, but to exceed them, and we knew the industry needed more.
Despite increasing regulation and awareness, serious gaps in compliance persist – from delayed hazard reporting and poor visibility of risks to fragmented systems that slow down action. Many facilities teams are still operating reactively, using outdated tools or managing multiple platforms that don’t communicate with one another. This disjointed approach makes it far too easy for critical issues to slip off the radar. As a result, risks go unaddressed, response times drag, and preventable incidents continue to happen.
“TOO OFTEN, HAZARDS ARE FLAGGED TOO LATE, BURIED IN DISCONNECTED SYSTEMS, OR MISSED ENTIRELY IN THE DAILY OPERATIONAL SHUFFLE. ”
Technology can change that. By unifying data, automating alerts, and providing real-time oversight, digital platforms give health and safety professionals the tools they need to act fast, and more importantly, act before someone gets hurt. The ability to spot trends, escalate actions instantly, and ensure follow-through across departments is no longer nice to have, it’s become a necessity. When issues are seen and solved sooner, lives are protected – and that’s the bottom line.
https://vantify.com
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