In acknowledgement of the Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) initiative to reduce slips in commercial kitchens, clients of Bibby Consulting & Support Ltd who have commercial kitchens are advised to review their risk assessments and procedures to ensure that all slip hazards are taken into account and current control measures are sufficient.

The following is an exert from the HSE webpage.

When kitchen worker Amy slipped on water from a leaking drinks dispenser, she instinctively reached out to stop her fall, in the process she plunged her arm into boiling hot oil. Chef Ahsan was even more unlucky; he slipped on a floor still wet from mopping and in the process of falling, pulled the entire contents of a hot deep fat fryer over him.

These are two examples of serious slip accidents that have happened in a professional kitchen. Last year alone 1863 people received an injury that kept them off work for more than three days, 640 received a major injury (many resulting in broken bones). As well as the personal cost, accidents can leave you shorthanded and can cost you money (e.g. sick pay, compensation claims, increased insurance costs).

Everyone has a part to play when it comes to stopping slips. Chefs, managers and business owners need to set up effective systems for preventing slips and trips and then need to ensure staff are informed, trained and following those systems. Staff can make a big difference by adopting a 'see it, sort it' mentality.

Should you need further guidance information regarding slips in the kitchen, advice can be obtained from the HSE website and/or through the Bibby Consulting & Support helpline.