Slips, trips and falls are all too common in the modern workplace. The Health and Safety Executive has stated that they are "the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces", and that's not a not difficult claim to believe; not only can the fall itself result in severe injuries, it can lead to even more serious accidents if, for example, the victim falls into a piece of machinery or another hazard.

Here are some more statistics from the HSE:

• In 2013/14, slips, trips and falls were to blame for 29% of fatal workplace injuries
• Slips, trips and falls were responsible for 57% of all major/specified injuries to workers in 2013/14
• Over this period, a total of roughly 1.5 million working days were lost due to slips, trips and falls.

(Note that the phrase 'slips, trips and falls' covers a variety of different incidents, ranging from slipping on a wet floor or tripping over a loose floorboard to falling from height.)

So how can I prevent slips, trips and falls in my workplace?

We're glad you asked! With so many UK workers getting injured (or worse) by slips, trips and falls, employers need to everything they can to minimise the risk of a serious accident occurring. Here are some things that you can do to protect your employees:

• Use the correct hazard warning signs to make people aware of any potential risks (such as slippery surfaces, sudden drops, or trip hazards)
   
• Keep an eye out for any obstacles that could cause someone to trip over; common examples include bins, furniture, cables/wires, and desk drawers that have been left open
   
• Clean up any spills ASAP to prevent slips
   
• Always use a wet floor sign when cleaning is in progress
   
• If your employees are working at height, ensure that they are using the correct fall prevention equipment
   
• Train your staff to work safely and avoid slips, trips and falls (for example, do your employees know how to safely use a ladder?)

Visit our Slips, Trips & Falls department for more information and to purchase fall prevention signs for your workplace.

You probably heard about the Queen's asbestos problems earlier this week (and if you didn't, go and read the blog we wrote about it). Here are some other health and safety stories that didn't get quite so much attention this week...

Stafford Borough Council were hit with a £20,000 fine (plus costs) on Wednesday after an HSE inspection found that "a suitable risk assessment had not been carried out" at a local theatre. The investigation was carried out after a 33-year-old worker was injured in a fall at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre and left unable to work for more than two months afterwards.

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A company in West Yorkshire has admitted to breaching health and safety regulations in relation to a fatal incident that occurred in late 2012. Keith Jarman, a 65-year-old man from Doncaster, was killed by a falling metal cage roughly two and a half years ago whilst making a deliver to an Oasis store in Hebden Bridge; the managing director of Oasis Limited entered a guilty plea on Wednesday, and the company will be sentenced in September.

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Car manufacturers Hyundai are under fire in America, with the United Auto Workers union petitioning for health and safety improvements in the company's factories. According to Buzzfeed, the workers are particularly concerned about "exposure to unsafe chemicals" - read the full story here.

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Finally, a couple of updates from Alton Towers, which is still reeling from the much-publicised Smiler crash earlier this month. The theme park has re-opened its gates since the accident, but visitors are complaining that too many attractions have been closed, with many suggesting that Alton Towers should lower their admission prices to reflect this.

According to the Express & Star, "Park-goers...have queued up for more than an hour for some attractions only to see them shut with no prior warning for safety testing." However, a representative for Alton Towers stated, "any delays that we are experiencing now are within our expected level."

Meanwhile, Joe Pugh - one of the people injured in the Smiler crash - was released from hospital on Tuesday; according to the Daily Star, Joe, his girlfriend Leah Washington (who had her leg amputated in the wake of the accident), and a third victim have all received payouts from the theme park's insurers.

More health and safety news and insight here.

Earlier this week, we told you all about UK Health & Safety Week, which is currently on its last day for 2015. That blog post included the following list:

• Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses
• Respiratory diseases
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Skin complaints
• Hand arm vibration
• Stress and mental health problems

There are the specific workplace hazards that the organisers of Health & Safety Week wanted to address with this year's event. Today, we're going to tell you how Label Source can help you and your employees to steer clear of these problems.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Our asbestos range is home to many labels and warning signs that can be used to identify asbestos hazards and warn everyone to stay clear. Some of these products also give instructions on how to safely deal with asbestos.

Respiratory Diseases

If your employees are being exposed to smoke, fumes, spores, vapours, sprays, or airborne particles, this sign will remind them of the PPE they should be using to minimise the risk of respiratory diseases.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Improper manual handling techniques are perhaps the most common cause of musculoskeletal disorders. Visit our Manual Handling Safety department for a range of products that will help you and your employees to follow best practices when lifting heavy objects.

Skin Complaints

Do your employees work with hazardous chemicals or other potential irritants? Make sure that all dangerous substances and workspaces are clearly identified with the appropriate signs/labelHand Arm Vibration

Some hand-held tools vibrate violently when in use, and this can lead to HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) and other painful disorders. To prevent this, carry out a full vibration risk assessment and label your equipment appropriately to inform workers of the recommended safe use periods

Stress

Obviously, stress can't be attributed to one sole factor, and to truly address stress in your workplace may require a substantial re-working of your current practices. Still, our stress management posters may be a good place to start - they identify some common causes and recommend ways to reduce stress in a working environment.

Give Label Source a call on 0800 3761 693 if you need any help to improve the health and safety standards of your workplace.

This week (15-19 June) is UK Health & Safety Week 2015! This annual event - now in its second year - was set up both to celebrate the UK's outstanding dedication to health and safety and to highlight areas that are still in desperate need of improvement.

According to the official Health & Safety Week website, the aim of this year's observance is "to inspire employers and employees to embrace health in the workplace by instigating inintiatives and programmes throughout the year". The organisers have drawn particular attention to the following occupational health issues:

• Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses
• Respiratory diseases
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Skin complaints
• Hand arm vibration
• Stress and mental health problems

Employers can prevent all of the above issues - or minimise the likelihood of their occurence, at least - by simply paying attention to health and safety guidelines and putting the right measures in place to protect their staff.

How you can help

If you are an employer, here are some ways in which you can make the most of Health & Safety Week and help to protect workers everywhere:

• Tweet about Health & Safety Week to spread the word to other employers. Remember to use the #HSWeek15 hashtag!

• Maintain a positive attitude towards health and safety - British newspapers love a good 'elf and safety' circus, but don't let stories like these affect your feelings about H&S as a practice. Remember, the laws are there to keep everyone safe, not to ruin their fun!

• Look for ways to prevent occupational health issues (such as those listed above) in your workplace. For example, if there is asbestos present on your premises, use the correct asbestos warning signs to identify the hazard and contact an asbestos specialist to get it removed. You might also consider putting some safety posters up in your office to educate staff and promote safe practices.

• If you see something unsafe, don't stay quiet - report it!

Click here for more ways to get involved with Health & Safety Week 2015!

From rollercoaster accidents to fancy dress costumes, it's been a busy week in the world of H&S...

• The health and safety story that's been dominating the headlines this week is the incident that occurred at Alton Towers on Tuesday. According to the Metro newspaper, 4 people were hospitalised - and a further 12 injured - in a collision between two carriages on the 'Smiler' rollercoaster at the Staffordshire theme park. Other sources (including the BBC) have reported that the park's staff did not call 999 until 11 minutes after the crash. The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting an investigation, and the park remains closed at time of writing.
   
• A representative for Hugo Boss UK Ltd plead guilty to charges of contravening health and safety regulations on Wednesday, and the company will be sentenced later this month. The charges were brought against Hugo Boss after four-year-old Austen Harrison was crushed by a two-metre-high mirror that was not properly fixed to the wall in the company's Bicester Village store in 2013; the boy suffered severe brain damage as a result of the accident, and eventually died after being taken off life support.
   
• Claudia Winkleman has successfully forced a number of big-name retailers to tighten their health and safety standards with regards to children's fancy dress costumes. Winkleman's eight-year-old daughter suffered serious burns after her Halloween costume caught fire last October; according to the Express, the Strictly Come Dancing host was "incensed to discover that the costumes only have to be tested to the same level as toys". Since the accident, Winkleman has been campaigning for stricter regulations on children's fancy dress products, and it seems that her hard work has been rewarded - several large British supermarkets (including Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Asda) will now ensure that all children's costumes meet the same health and safety standards as nightwear products.
   
• The UK's first privately-funded NHS hospital was also under scrutiny for fire safety failings this week. The Cumberland Infirmary (located in Carlisle) was criticised by Cumbrian's Fire Brigades Union who called the hospital a "major" safety risk and highlighted the inadequacy of the building's fire proofing measures, which - according to the Independent - "did not meet the required protection standard to allow for save [sic] evacuation". The fire fighters have urged the hospital's stakeholders to re-assess the fire safety procedures and materials that have been put into place, warning that "vulnerable patients" could be in particular danger if changes are not made.

• Technology giants Apple found themselves at the centre of yet another fire safety story this week when their Beats Pill XL speakers were recalled on the ground of being a potential fire hazard. The product was launched back in 2013, but - as thefourohfive.com pointed out - "it remains Apple's responsibility to identify, alter or discontinue fault goods being sold under their jurisdiction". The company's official statement is as follows: "Apple has determined that, in rare cases, the battery in the Beats Pill XL may overheat and pose a fire safety risk".
   
• We end this week's round-up with yet another example of somebody blaming health and safety for something that has absolutely nothing to do with health and safety. Of course, we're used to ridiculous "elf 'n' safety" fiascos in Britain, but this particular story actually comes to us from the USA: it seems that the Louisiana Girl Scouts are refusing to accept transgender members due to - you guessed it - "health and safety" concerns. The HSE haven't covered this story on their brilliant Myth Busters blog, but if they did, we imagine they'd advise the Louisiana Girl Scouts to stop blaming H&S for their own personal views on who should or shouldn't be allowed to join!

Follow @LabelSourceUK on Twitter for more H&S news and discussion!