Slips, Trips and Falls are the second highest category of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Injury on Duty (IOD) throughout the Force, accounting for about 18 per cent of all IOD cases annually.

These OSH incidents happen during operations on the frontline as well as on police premises where employees are performing routine, administrative or logistical functions. If, however, officers are more careful, alert and attentive, most of the incidents can be easily avoided.

Chief Inspector John Cameron of the OSH Instructor Cadre, who was recently attached to Support Wing, is the project officer responsible for devising preventive and educational measures to enhance awareness of safety among disciplined and civilian employees alike.

He pointed out that on average far more officers were injured in simple Slip, Trip and Fall cases than those injured, for example, during the HKMC disturbances. Some of the cases have serious consequences, with officers having to undergo operations and take extended sick leave. Over half of the cases of "Slip", "Trip" and "Fall" have been classified as level 2 OSH incidents requiring three or more days of sick leave.

"The message is simple: officers should be more aware of their personal safety during both enforcement and routine duties. Supervisory officers should also play their part by stressing the importance of appropriate safety precautions both operationally and within the confines of police premises," CIP Cameron advised.

In 2006, there were a total of 168 cases, 49 less than the 217 cases in 2005. "This is an encouraging downward trend but by no means a cause for complacency," CIP Cameron cautioned.

To further raise awareness of safety, a series of posters have been sent to all police premises and the subject of how to avoid Slips, Trips and Falls will be shown in a short film clip during the forthcoming training day cycle.