How to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls in the Workplace
Slips, trips and falls are the 2nd most leading cause of general workplace accidents and death in the workplace, slightly behind transportation accidents. Of those that are not fatal, they are one of the leading causes of work days missed and productivity lost. They occur in every industry, but tend to be more fatal in industries such as construction or manufacturing.
Accidents can and do happen, but fortunately, there are many ways that as an employer you can help prevent such incidents. Keep reading below to find out how!
1. Keeping the office clean and clear of clutter. Good housekeeping can help reduce the risk of falls. Encouraging employees to pick up after themselves and clean up if there is a mess, especially if it’s a liquid spill, can help prevent falls.
2. Keep floors clean and dry. Wet, greasy, or floors slippery due to powder, flour, or sawdust should be cleaned as soon as possible if not immediately. If that isn’t possible for whatever reason, at bare minimum a sign should be placed where the spill is. If people see the sign, they are more likely to avoid the spot, thus helping to prevent a fall.
3. Make sure employees have proper footwear on. Slip resistant or non-slip shoes can help tremendously if the floors are regularly a hazard. Many people who work in the food industry are often required to have non-slip shoes as part of their uniform to keep them safe. If heels are worn frequently, such as in an office environment, ensuring there are no rugs or other obstacles that people could trip over can help prevent falls.
4. Proper, bright lighting. Any area of the facility where it may be dark should have an easy to access light and light switches. If people can see better, they can avoid hazards and can get to where they are going unhindered.
5. Monitor the floor and ground conditions inside and out, and be aware of the weather. If it’s raining, snowing or icy, proper precautions should be utilized to protect employees and customers. Placing a wet floor sign by the door where people come in and placing ice melt on the sidewalk outside where people come in and out also helps to prevent fall related injuries- and lawsuits.
6. Invest in step stools and ladders. If the stock room is full of inventory sitting high up, or out of reach on shelves, make sure that a step stool or ladder is provided so employees can reach them more safely. If possible, putting inventory on lower shelves can help prevent overreach and imbalance that could cause a fall. Make sure to train employees on the proper use of these assistive safety tools to make sure they understand how to use these aids safely.
7. Manage the cords from computers, internet cables, tv etc. Running electrical cords behind walls or under carpets can help keep them hidden and make them less of a hazard for your employees and customers. Install power outlets, internet connections, and phone jacks in easy to access locations and avoid running cables and cords across walkways.
As you can see, assessing your place of business and learning of the hazards your employees could be facing is a good first step in protecting not only your business, but your workers as well. If you would like to learn more information about how you can prevent slips, trips, and falls, head on over to this article here and the CDC here.