Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents in the Workplace
Did you know thirty-seven percent of all workplace injuries are due to a slip, trip, or fall?
Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. But when slip and fall incidents occur, it raises concern for the workplace. How severe are the injuries? Is the employee okay?
It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the slips, trips and falls hazards or risks in a business. What are the main causes of slipping accidents at work? It is essential to be aware of these hazards to help prevent them.
- Wet and/or Uneven Floors
The condition of a business’s floor is one of the leading causes of a workplace slip, trip, or fall. Some conditions include a lack of a warning sign that floors are uneven, loose rugs or mats, uncleaned spills, recently waxed or polished floors, and many more!
It is the business owner’s responsibility to ensure that the property is safe from these conditions. This includes always moping up any wet floors and spills and posting warning signs, salting the walkways in the winter months, keeping up with the maintenance of any potholes or pavement cracks in the parking lot, using non-skid flooring materials, etc.
- Environmental Conditions
When you find yourself wondering “what are the main causes of slipping accidents at work?”, do not overlook the environmental conditions. This includes any trash on the ground, cords or wires across walkways, poor lighting, overly bright lighting, or open cabinets/drawers.
To prevent any slip or fall accidents, it is important to ensure the workplace is clear of these obstacles. Remove any cords across walk paths, close cabinets, and drawers after usage, and install proper lighting for a safer, more efficient work environment.
- Hazardous Ladders and/or Stairs
Unsafe ladders and stairs can easily become large slips, trips, and falls hazards or risks in the workplace. These risks can be limited if ladder usage is performed correctly. When an employee is using a ladder, ensure someone is watching them, they are wearing proper shoes, and the ladder is secure.
Ladders must include handrails and handrails should always be used. Stairs should be cleared of debris and waxed or polished with non-skid surfaces. Confirm everyone is taking their time while traveling up the stairs or ladder. Never use a chair or another surface in replacement of a ladder!
- Safety Practices
Wherever there is a possibility of slips and falls, proper training is required. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, called for adequate training and provisions for the well-being and safety of employees. Training can ensure employees are working effectively while protecting them from avoidable accidents. Workers should be given the proper equipment and tools to keep them safe!
RiskLimiter Inspector
To help create a safer work environment, every business should have a slip and fall risk assessment tool. The RiskLimiter Inspector combines technology with an easy-to-use mobile app. It helps businesses and employees observe work conditions, take the necessary precautions to avoid employee injuries, and lower the cost of claims.
Businesses nationwide trust the accuracy of RiskLimiter Inspector because of the proven results. The app has proven to reduce slip and fall accidents by thirty percent and it reduces the overall cost of claims by nearly fifty percent.
At RiskLimiter, we are devoted to keeping all businesses and employees safe and healthy. For more information on the RiskLimiter Inspector or to schedule a demonstration, contact RiskLimiter today!