In the United States, over 37,000 people die each year from unintentional falls. More than 14 people per day die on the job!
Slip-and-fall accidents are common, and depending on the circumstances, sometimes they’re fatal. Protect your employees from workplace accidents, and protect your business from lawsuits.
Use slip, trip, and fall prevention and avoid damaging and even deadly falls in the workplace.
What Causes Slips and Falls?
Most slip, trip, and fall injuries are preventable. So why do so many people fall?
- Poor lighting
- Slippery surfaces
- Uneven or damaged floors
- Uneven or damaged stairs
- Poorly designed spaces
- Objects obstructing pathways
Not every accident involves negligence, but many do. Here’s what to do.
Safety Survey
Conduct regular inspections of your business premises. Note the high-risk areas. Look for the above-mentioned hazards.
Take particular note of entries near doors, such as the main door and public restrooms. If an area is prone to water on the floor, that’s a hazard.
Make sure there are no burned-out lightbulbs or flickering lights, especially in darker areas such as stairwells.
Note Any Hazards
Make note of any problems and fix them as soon as possible. Be diligent in your record keeping.
Record the date you find an issue and the steps taken to fix it. This proves you’re proactive in not allowing dangerous conditions in the workplace.
Use warning signs to alert people of any hazards until you can fix them.
If you’re in a workplace accident yourself, contact a lawyer. If you’re in Florida, you can get pre-settlement funding. Check if you’re eligible at https://floridasettlementfunding.com/.
Security Cameras
Security cameras help in a couple of ways. If there’s an area causing a problem, you’ll see it in the security footage and you’ll be able to take action quickly.
If someone does slip and fall, the cameras will record the accident, so there’ll be no false claims. Put your cameras in locations that make identifying someone easy.
Document All Accidents
Document all workplace accidents the moment someone reports it. Accident reports also help you identify any hazardous areas in the workplace.
Always consult with your insurance provider before admitting fault for any accident. Speaking of insurance…
Liability and Commercial Property Insurance
Some slip, trip, and fall accidents happen and no one is at fault. You should always have a good general liability insurance policy in the event of an accident.
Commercial property insurance is also important. If a customer falls and causes significant damage to your property during the fall (such as destroying an expensive display case) commercial property insurance covers the damage.
It would not protect you from the slip and fall. That’s what liability insurance is for.
Enforce Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention in the Workplace
Enforcing slip, trip, and fall prevention in the workplace is important! Don’t let a customer or employee become a statistic.
Conduct a weekly safety survey, note any hazards, and fix them as soon as possible. Document any accidents that do happen. Install security cameras for added protection, and make sure you have the right insurance policies.
Keep the workplace safe for you, your employees, and your customers.
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