According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips and falls account for 15% of all accidental deaths in the workplace. In order to best protect yourself as an employee and business owner, there are a few preventative measures you can take to ensure you are reducing the risk of any slips, trips and falls in the work environment.
- Clean up slippery areas – While this may seem obvious, it is often overlooked and can easily make the largest impact on preventing slips. A good tactic, when possible, is to use false floors or mats on slippery areas and promote the use of non-slip shoes.
- Keep hallways and walkways clear – When people have to maneuver around objects, there is always a risk of falling from loss of balance or running into things. Keeping walking areas clean serves as a strong preventative measure.
- Cover cables and cords – Exposed cables and cords in walkways are a major hazard to those walking around or through them. You should cover cords or cables with gaff tape or another tape wide enough to cover the whole cord to prevent people from tripping.
- Proper lighting – Making sure any dark spaces are properly lit is an important factor to prevent slips, trips and falls. By replacing burnt-out lights and installing lights in necessary places, you can ensure people see where they are going at all times.
Most slips, trips and falls in the workplace are preventable. As an employer, you have a responsibility to keep your employees and customers as safe as possible. Alternatively, as an employee, tell your employer if you see an unsafe area, or have a safety suggestion.
For more information on slips, trips and falls, call Kaiman & Crahan at 502-771-0741, or reach out to us online, and we’ll be glad to help.