Hundreds of teachers end up in hospital

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is asking them to install slip-resistant floors, clean up spillages more quickly and make people wear sensible shoes.

Last year there were more than 3,000 injuries caused by slipping or tripping over at educational institutions.

The HSE, in a free information sheet, calls for buildings to be provided with adequate lighting and for staff to receive better safety information and training.

Fatalities

John Cullen, head of the HSE's services sector, said: "Slips and trips can happen to anyone. The majority of injuries caused by slips and trips on the education sector are strains and sprains.

"More serious injuries such as broken bones and head injury can also occur and can lead to complications.

"Some slip and trip accidents can even result in fatalities, as a result of complications."

Such incidents can also be costly, in terms of compensation.

Mr Cullen added: "They have not always been taken seriously because of a sense of inevitability about slip and trip incidents, and as a result there has been poor management control.

"Yet they can be prevented or controlled, often simply and at low cost. So dealing with them should be a priority."