Posted By JPK A trip hazard doesn't necessarily have a height min or max as far as I can see or work out... I.E a telephone/data cable that is trailing across a room is approx 3mm however if your foot slips under it, and you get tangled you are likely to hear 'timberrrrrrr'. On sites I work on, im forever asking ppl to check threshold bars are fixed tight, simply because ive seen people and on occasions caught the front of my boot on one and stumbled, much to the amusement of the carpenter who got the b*ll*cking afterwards. I dont think you can define the height, however, to prevent it happening again, maybe place signage up stating mind the step! You may be laughed at, possibly told your a jobsworth, but wont look half as funny the next time someone doesnt 'mind the step' and goes starfish out of the lift.

Posted By Exdeeps Mark, Maybe I'm a suspicious old soul or maybe I don't understand your description, but, I suspect you are not in possession of the full facts. If I stand with my heels against the skirting board of a wall I naturally lean against the wall. Try it, you get some funny looks but you will see what I mean. So either the edge in the lift is some distance from the door or the IP felt the doors open long before she fell out of the unknown opening. I may be well off the facts but based on what you say it's worth a thought. Of course, the IP is still an IP and obviously the accident still should not have occurred. Jim

Posted By Mark Eastbourne Dear Jim Many thanks for your response, in our profession I guess it pays to be suspicious! Right, now to try and explain it...the person who had this accident was the Assistant Principle to our college and the other people in the lift was the Principle and a Govenor so pretty sure of integrity of IP and witness. The IP had never entered the lift before. There were no signs to say that there were other doors in the lift, there is no sound when the lift doors open. The IP leaning on the door does sound the logical explanation but the witnesses and IP say she was not leaning on them. The plate is on the floor between the doors the...sorry Jim I have spent ages trying to explain it but my english has proved hopeless and I ended up going on and on so have deleted most of my witterings, can I send you an email with a photo showing the layout? Anyway, suffice it to say, the premises manager of this building is a friedly chap, the H&S chap is also sound so it is a shame that this has happened. Signs have been placed and I have also recommended some mastic used to get rid of this 6mm edge and have also recommend the security guard notify the public who use the lifts that it has two doors. But was told that at 5mm something becomes a trip hazard, would love to know if it is correct or not. Anyway, thanks for replies. Marko

Posted By Exdeeps Marko, I just thought I would play devil's advocate, but I would be happy too given the people you are dealing with. Jim

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Mark Regrettably, your question 'My question is this, I was informed that anything over 5mm is a trip hazard, is this correct? If so, where does it state this?' is misconceived. The ACOP of the HSC Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 outlines the process of ergonomic risk assessment: so that's the relevant document to consult. It indicates that it is of the nature of risks that they can be quantitatively specified only in particular conditions. If you do want to pursue citations in detail, look up the relevant BS and ISO standards on accessibility for people with disabilities.

Posted By Andrew Joule Land As far as I'm concerned the thickness of a matchstick. I tripped on a paving slab that was just slightly proud. The only thing injured was my pride fortunately.