Most accidents at work happen during ordinary, everyday tasks: walking across a wet floor, plugging in a damaged cable, or storing boxes in front of a fire exit.

In this module you will learn about safe systems of work, preventing slips and trips, good housekeeping, electrical safety and fire safety.

A safe system of work is a planned, step-by-step way of doing a task safely, based on a risk assessment. It is used for work that is hazardous or done in the same way every time, such as operating or cleaning machinery.

• It sets out the hazards, the controls, and the safe order of work.
• Everyone doing the task must be trained in it, and follow it.
• High-risk work, such as work on live electrical systems or in confined spaces, may need a written permit to work.

For tasks that are carried out repeatedly, such as operating machinery, a procedure or safe system of work is the ideal way to control the risk. A safe system of work is a structured procedure developed by examining a specific task. During that examination the hazards are identified and suitable safety measures are set. Many manufacturers of equipment and materials supply detailed safety instructions, and these can be the starting point for your procedure.

Activities that can be covered include instructions for using PPE for particular tasks, written procedures for maintaining, repairing or cleaning machinery, procedures for the safe use and storage of flammable liquids or gases, guidance on working at height, and procedures for operating vehicles and mobile equipment. A safe system of work also makes sure that equipment is safe to use, well maintained and right for the job.

Slips, trips and falls on the same level are one of the most common causes of injuries at work. They are caused by:

• Wet or contaminated floors, from spills, leaks, cleaning or rain carried in on footwear.
• Trailing cables, uneven surfaces, loose mats and objects left on the floor.
• Poor lighting, unsuitable footwear, and rushing or carrying loads that block the view.

Slips, trips and falls on the same level cause a large share of work-related injuries, and they are usually the easiest accidents to prevent if the right measures are in place. Common causes of slips include floor contamination such as spilled liquids, loose or damaged flooring, unsecured floor coverings like mats and rugs, and clutter left on the floor. Common causes of trips include trailing electrical cables, objects blocking walkways such as boxes, loose floorboards or coverings, and sudden changes in surface level, such as ramps or steps.

Human factors play a part too. Risk assessments and controls must address poor risk perception, lack of awareness of slip and trip hazards, neglecting to clean up spills, not reporting incidents, an inadequate response to reports, and a lack of understanding of health and safety concerns.

• Clean up spills immediately, and use warning signs while floors are wet.
• Fix leaks, and use drip trays under equipment.
• Use entrance matting, and keep floors in good repair.
• Route cables away from walkways, or cover them.
• Keep walkways and stairs clear, and well lit.
• Wear suitable footwear with good grip.

Several measures prevent slips, trips and falls. To reduce slips, first identify the sources of contamination and stop them. These include wet floors after cleaning, leaking pipes and spills. Contamination can also come from poor process controls, so the risk assessment should pinpoint the causes and put effective controls in place, such as changing work practices so that spills do not happen in busy areas.

Plan cleaning and maintenance carefully, because they create temporary hazards. Allow for the seasons: wet walkways from rain, slippery leaves and shorter daylight hours. Simple controls prevent most slips and trips. These include spill-proof lids, drip trays, screens around wet processes, regular checks for leaks, effective cleaning methods, wet floor signs, cleaning up as you go, non-slip footwear, regular floor maintenance and staff training. Make sure the workplace is well lit.

Good housekeeping means keeping the workplace clean, tidy and organised. It:

• Reduces slips, trips and falling objects.
• Keeps fire exits, escape routes and fire equipment clear.
• Removes waste that could fuel a fire or attract pests.
• Makes the workplace more pleasant and more efficient.

Clear as you go, put things back where they belong, and never leave items on stairs or in walkways.

Good housekeeping is essential in every workplace. It reduces slip and trip hazards and cuts the risk of injury from faulty electrical appliances, falling items and unclean surroundings. Keeping the workplace tidy is the simplest way to reduce hazards, so make sure everyone cleans up as they go, that corridors and walkways stay clear, and that spillages are dealt with at once. Proper storage and stacking are vital to stop objects falling and injuring people, because items can drop from shelves or cupboards if they are stored badly.

Good practice is not to overload storage areas, to keep heavier items lower down, and to keep equipment and materials away from walkways, stable, and with no sharp edges exposed. Report any untidy area or unsafe storage to your manager or supervisor straight away, so that it is put right and the cause is investigated.

Electricity can cause shocks, burns, fires and explosions, and contact with it can kill. Most electrical accidents involve faulty equipment, damaged cables, or work done by people who are not competent.

• Only competent people may install, repair or work on electrical systems.
• Never overload sockets, or use damaged plugs, cables or extension leads.
• Keep liquids away from electrical equipment.
• Switch off and unplug equipment before cleaning it, and report any faults.

Electrical equipment is of two kinds: equipment that supplies and distributes electricity, and equipment that uses it. Both must be correctly installed, used and maintained by a competent person, typically a qualified electrician. You cannot tell by looking whether a cable is live unless the equipment attached to it is clearly working, so always assume cables are live. Hazards include working near overhead power lines, which cause several fatal accidents each year, a ladder touching a power line, damaged lamps, heaters or power tools, damaged leads and cables, faulty appliances, and equipment that is unearthed or poorly earthed.

All portable electrical equipment should be inspected and tested regularly by a qualified person, known as portable appliance testing, at intervals depending on the equipment and where it is used. Always check equipment visually before use, and do not use it if it looks broken.

• Before you use any portable electrical equipment, every time, carry out a quick visual check.
• Look for damaged cables, cracked plugs or casings, loose wires, scorch marks, and signs of overheating.
• If you find a fault, do not use the equipment. Label it, take it out of use, and report it.
• Portable equipment should also be inspected and tested at intervals by a competent person. This is often called portable appliance testing, or PAT.

• Do not touch the person if they are still in contact with the electricity. You could be electrocuted too.
• Switch off the power at the plug, the switch or the mains, if you can.
• If the power cannot be switched off, do not approach high-voltage equipment; call the emergency services. For a low-voltage appliance only, if safe, use a dry, non-conductive object to move the source away from the casualty.
• Call the emergency services on 112 or 999, and give first aid if you are trained.

Electric shocks and burns are rare, but you should know what to do. Treatment is for medical professionals, but you can take immediate action without putting yourself at risk. Do not touch the person with your bare hands, because they may still be in contact with the current. Switch off the power at the mains if you can, or unplug the appliance, and do not touch metal objects or anything wet.

If you cannot switch it off, move them away from the source using a piece of wood or another non-metallic object. If the shock happened near water, move the person away from it without going into the water yourself. Once the area is safe, check their airway and breathing. If they are not breathing, have someone call 999 or 112 while you perform CPR if you can. Call for help for an electrical burn or unconsciousness as well, because burns can be severe even if they look minor. Advise a hospital check-up in all cases.

A fire needs three things: a source of ignition, fuel and oxygen. Remove any one, and the fire cannot start or continue.

• Sources of ignition include naked flames, smoking materials, faulty electrical equipment, hot surfaces and sparks from work such as welding.
• Fuel includes paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, textiles, flammable liquids and gases.
• Oxygen is in the air around us, and can also come from oxidising chemicals.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, and put precautions and an emergency plan in place.

• Keep sources of ignition and fuel apart, and keep waste under control.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clear, and fire doors closed.
• Know the sound of the alarm, the escape routes and the assembly point.
• When the alarm sounds, leave immediately by the nearest safe exit. Do not use lifts, and do not go back for belongings.

The first responsibility of the employer, or of the building's owner or occupier, is to carry out a thorough fire risk assessment and keep it up to date. It can be part of the overall workplace risk assessment or done separately. It should identify possible causes of fire, combustible materials and the people at risk. Essential actions include keeping ignition sources and flammable substances apart, preventing accidental fires, for example by securing heaters so that they cannot tip, and good housekeeping to stop combustible waste building up.

They also include installing smoke detectors and alarms, making sure suitable fire-fighting equipment is easy to reach, keeping exits and escape routes marked and unobstructed, training employees including through fire drills, and reviewing the assessment regularly. Processes involving flammable liquids need a thorough assessment, and everyone involved must know the safety rules.

The fire risk assessment should set out the detection and warning systems and the evacuation procedures needed to get everyone out of the building safely and quickly in an emergency. All employees and visitors should know how to operate the alarm system and recognise the alarm, whether it sounds or flashes. Alarms may be triggered automatically by detectors, manually through call points, or in other ways.

Escape routes must lead people from the premises to a designated safe area well away from the hazard. That area must be accessible and safe in all circumstances, and the routes and exits need adequate emergency lighting. Every employer, owner, manager or occupier must create an emergency plan for fire that details the evacuation procedures. Fire drills should be carried out at least once a year, and the results recorded as part of the fire risk assessment and evacuation plan.

Fire extinguishers have a red body, with a coloured band or label showing the type:

• Red, water: for paper, wood and textiles. Never on electrical equipment or burning oil.
• Cream, foam: for solids and flammable liquids.
• Black, carbon dioxide: for electrical equipment and flammable liquids.
• Blue, dry powder: for most types of fire, but not normally used indoors in small rooms.
• Yellow, wet chemical: for cooking oil and fat fires.

Only tackle a fire if it is small, you are trained, and your escape route is clear.