ABSTRACT
Slip, trip or fall accidents can happen on the level, on ramps, on steps or stairs, or from a height, with differing causes and consequences. Together they form a major category of accident, imposing a substantial social and economic cost. UK statistics, compiled by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), show that fall accidents are the principal cause of major injury at work (Figure 1). Using 1993/94 figures, HSE (1996) estimated slip and trip accidents cost employers £300 million each year, with a cost to society £800 million. Outside work, the UK Home Accident Surveillance System (HASS) results for 1996 showed falls to be 40% of all home accidents, with an annual incidence rate estimated at 1930 per 100 000 of the population (Figure 2).
