Slip and fall accidents may seem like something people can laugh off, but it’s not slapstick comedy in the business world. It’s a serious matter that can lead to reputation issues and expensive accident claims. The causes of these accidents can range from lack of hazard identification and improper cleaning to wet, uneven floors and clutter. Depending on the circumstances, their financial impact can be a massive liability to a minor inconvenience.
With that in mind, businesses should prioritize the prevention of slip and fall accidents. This cannot only protect the employees or customers from getting hurt, but it can also protect your business from expensive problems that can shut your operations down. Reduce the incidence of these accidents by following these tips.
1. Focus on work surfaces
The walking surfaces should be the first thing to focus on. Regardless if it’s an indoor or outdoor surface, it must not be slippery enough to cause injuries. Among the most common spots that cause injuries are food preparation areas, sidewalks, parking lots, and floors in general. Plan for friction control procedures based on weather conditions. Such conditions cannot only impact outdoor surfaces but can also cause moisture indoors. You can utilize anti-skid paint or adhesive striping material and keep the surfaces clean and well-maintained. If there’s ice or snow, you can either get rid of it or suspend the use of the area. You can also use moisture-absorbent mats or proper area rugs on your indoor surfaces like entrances.
2. Maintain housekeeping
Regular housekeeping is necessary to keep the work areas clean and dry, preventing undesirable incidents. Remove any obstructions on passageways, corridors, or walkways. If there are loose or broken tiles, bricks, or paving stones on the flooring, replace them right away. You can fill or patch deep holes or grooves in your outdoor areas. Using brightly colored barricades around the damaged surfaces and highlighting underground irrigation systems are great solutions to prevent accidents. If your business property has a landscape area, avoid using stone or gravel that can cause a higher risk of accidents.
3. Provide adequate lighting
Adequate lighting is essential for reducing the likelihood of slips, falls, or trips to your work areas. These include basements, ramps, hallways, stairs, and walkways. Maintaining well-lit areas is even more important if you’re running a construction site. Put the light switches near the doors, so your workers can remember to always turn them on when necessary. Your maintenance team should ensure every light fixture, cord, or bulb is replaced or repaired if needed.
4. Make use of technology
Technology like security cameras is useful for preventing accidents through controlling building access. You can put digital signs and motion detectors at certain doorways. You can also use technology to send valuable announcements to employees about new hazards or risks in the workplace. Besides prevention, installing cameras is also beneficial when accidents do happen. You can use the footage or recordings for your defense in case someone sues your company for injuries. Install them on every common area or any spot with potential hazards. Keep the records on your archive as long as the local state laws permit.
5. Provide protective equipment
Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is a must for keeping everyone in the workspace safe. In slip and fall situations, PPE can minimize the risk of injuries. To select the best PPE for your workplace, conduct a hazard assessment or job safety analysis. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also requires that employees be trained in the care and use of PPE. Generally, PPE should be worn at all times, particularly in engineering and construction fields. If your business isn’t covered by these industries, determine the specific work areas and situations for which the PPE must be used.
6. Prepare for the claims
Accidents in the workplace are preventable, but you don’t want to be unprepared when they do happen. Create a plan on how to defend yourself against the claims. Thousands of highly competent and experienced arbitrators like Toby Landau can help you with your case. These professionals can recommend the best course of action depending on the situation and reduce any potential damage to your business. Aside from finding the right legal professional, you should also have a complete record of every piece of evidence you can use for your defense. Don’t give copies to anyone else besides your lawyer.
Slip and fall accidents can impact workplace productivity and cause delays in your operations. The bigger problems are those slip-and-fall victims appealing for a claim and the news spreading to the industry. Your company may be deemed an unsafe workplace, and it will be shut down. Prevent that from happening by conducting proper measures.
