Some of the most common employee and customer personal injury claims are due to slips, trips and falls. Identifying the hazards that cause these accidents and taking steps to avoid them could help to prevent many injuries in your workplace. Below are some of the biggest hazards to be on the lookout for.
Wet floors
Recently mopped stairs and rain-soaked lobby floors are common causes of slip injuries. To help reduce accidents on wet floors, alert customers and employees by always putting down wet floor signs. You can also prevent floors getting wet by laying down doormats near entrances or using dry mops to remove water from soaked floors.
Trailing cables
Many office injuries are caused by people tripping over cables. Trailing cables from power tools and vacuum cleaners can also cause injuries. Where possible, avoid trailing cables over walkways – use cable management techniques like trunking for fixed machinery, and try to opt for wireless portable tools.
Damaged flooring
Ripped carpets, cracked tiles and potholes in parking lots can all encourage falls. Make sure to maintain all indoor flooring and outdoor paving that is part of your premises. Professional services like commercial concrete repair companies can help to fix any broken surfaces that could pose a hazard.
Clutter
Leaving tools or boxes lying around in corridors or on steps could also lead to trip injuries. Make sure that you are keeping your work environment tidy – especially walkways and staircases. If you’re a tradesman, consider wearing a tool belt for carrying equipment so that you’re not tempted to leave it on the floor. In stores and warehouses, introduce a policy of always disposing of boxes or returning crates there and then.
Snow and ice
During the winter months, snow and ice can be a serious hazard to both drivers and pedestrians. You could still be liable for slips and falls on icy areas around your work building including parking lots and sidewalks. To stop these walkways getting icy, stock up on grit and lay this down on all outdoor areas whenever ice or snow is predicted.
Loose rugs
While rugs can sometimes help to limit fall injuries on hard floors, they can also be a cause of accidents if they are too loose. Always choose rugs with a non-slip underlay – materials like rubber, polyester, and felt are effective at reducing friction. Alternatively, you can tape or glue down rugs to keep them in place.
Poor lighting
Many slip, trip and fall accidents occur because people cannot see where they are treading clearly. While this could be the injured person’s fault if they have bad eyesight and refuse to wear glasses, poor lighting could also be to blame. If people are visiting your premises after dark or early in the morning, make sure that all walkways are well lit. Make sure dead bulbs and broken lights are replaced in good time and consider whether the amount of light is efficient. It could also be important to make sure light switches are easy to find in areas like bar cellars or that motion-sensing lighting is used.
Photo by Miff Ibra
