Five Ways to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls

Published Apr 11, 2019

We’ve all been there. A momentary lapse of attention or misjudgment and boom—you are on the floor wondering what went wrong. Slips, trips, and falls can leave us with aches and pains, but not all are minor.

In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents. In 2017 the number of days away from work cases resulting from overexertion and bodily reaction rose 1,350 cases to 8,310 in 2017; contact with objects and equipment rose 620 cases to 4,370; and falls, slips, or trips rose 480 cases to 3,030.

As a small business owner, it’s important for both your employees’ safety and business productivity to prevent employees and customers from getting hurt.

Here are five safety tips to help protect your employees and your business:

Clean up spills immediately. If this is not possible, place wet floor warning signs for employees and visitors.
Maintain clear and tidy work areas, keeping them free of clutter. Eliminate obstacles in walkways and hallways, and close filing cabinets and drawers when not in use.
Make sure all lights are functioning properly and provide sufficient visibility for the required tasks. Keep stairs and landings clean, well lit, and clear of equipment. Make sure stairways are equipped with handrails and non-slip treads, and small steps have warning tape to alert pedestrians to the change in elevation.
Avoid uneven transitions in walking surfaces, and cover or tape down cables and cords in walkways. Install anti-slip floor mats and encourage employees to wear comfortable shoes to help them stay sure-footed.
Clear the parking area and sidewalks on your property of ice and snow as quickly as possible, and repair any broken concrete or pavement.

Taking precautions and providing training helps reduce the overall risk of injury. However, some workplaces are more susceptible to slip and fall injuries. For example, the fast-paced environment and slippery surfaces of commercial kitchens make restaurants more prone to costly workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. But that doesn’t mean that these types of injuries don’t happen in offices – they do!

Re that Cerity is here for you to help make sure you get the workers’ compensation coverage you need to protect your business and your employees.